Ravana

Ravana (, , ) was an ancient mythological king of the island of Lanka, and the chief antagonist in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. In the ''Ramayana'', Ravana is described as the eldest son of sage Vishrava and Kaikasi. He abducted Lord Rama's wife, Sita, and took her to his kingdom of Lanka, where he held her in the Ashoka Vatika. Lord Rama, with the support of vanara King Sugriva and his army of vanaras, launched a rescue operation for Sita against Ravana in Lanka. Ravana was subsequently slain, and Rama rescued his beloved wife Sita.

Ravana is widely portrayed as being an evil character, though he is also a learned scholar. He was well-versed in the six shastras and the four Vedas, including the Shiva Tandava Stotra. Ravana is also considered to be the most revered devotee of Shiva. Images of Ravana are often seen associated with Shiva at temples. He also appears in the Buddhist Mahayana text Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, in Buddhist Jatakas, as well as in Jain Ramayanas. In Vaishnava scriptures, he is depicted as one of Vishnu's cursed doorkeepers. Provided by Wikipedia