Ravan was the demon-king of Lanka. He was an avid devotee of Lord Shiva and a great scholar, too. His aim was to become the most powerful demon on earth. For that, he desired to acquire Shiva’s lingam. So he undertook severe penance to get the lingam from Shiva. Ravan had earlier been granted a boon by Brahma that his heads and arms could never be destroyed. So he offered his heads one by one daily, to Shiva. To appease Shiva, Ravan also did severe penance on Mount Kailash and prayed to him day and night without food or water. Shiva was delighted with Ravan’s devotion and appeared before him. “I am very pleased with your prayers. Ask for anything you desire,” he said. Ravan asked for Shiva’s lingam. He said he wanted his blessings so that he might become the most important and strong demon on earth.
Ravan, Shiva’s Avid Devotee
