The Brothers of Ravana | Names, Stories, and Their Roles in Ramayana

When we talk about Ravana, the great ruler of Lanka in the Ramayana, most people immediately remember his ten heads, immense power, and epic battle with Lord Rama. 

But there is more to his story than just his role as the main antagonist. Behind his rise to power and eventual fall were a group of family members, siblings who influenced his life in many ways.

Understanding the list of Ravana brothers, their personalities, and their roles in the Ramayana gives us a deeper understanding of this ancient epic.

In this blog, we will learn how many brothers Ravana had, the story behind each sibling, their relationship to other important figures.

We'll also talk about Ravana's sisters and half-brothers to give you a complete picture of Ravanasur's siblings.

How Many Brothers Did Ravana Have?

Ravana had a total of six brothers, although different scriptures sometimes mention them with slight differences.

These brothers of Ravana played an important role in shaping his life, kingdom and even the great war of Ramayana.

Ravan Brothers Name List:

Hereʼs the most widely famous list of Ravanaʼs brothers:

1. Kumbhakarna

Born to the sage Vishrava and the demoness Kaikasi, Kumbhakarna was descended from his brother Ravana's lineage, but often had different views.

With a gigantic stature and unmatched physical strength, he was a fierce warrior whose name sent chills down the spine of his enemies. 

His most unique characteristic was his unusual sleep. According to legend, during a divine boon ceremony, Lord Brahma had cursed him which caused him to sleep for six months and wake up only for one day.

When the war with Rama began, Ravana himself woke Kumbhakarna up and asked for his help.

Even knowing that Ravana's actions were wrong, Kumbhakarna decided to stand by his brother and considered the bond of family paramount.

Ultimately, he was killed in the war, but his valor, loyalty and tragic fate made him one of the most memorable characters in the list of Ravana brothers.

2. Vibhishana

Vibhishana was different from his siblings both in nature and beliefs.  

He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and often became the voice of reason in Ravana's court.

When Ravana kidnapped Sita, Vibhishana openly advised him to return Sita to Lord Rama to avoid war and sin. 

When Ravana refused and insulted him, Vibhishana made a difficult choice - he left Lanka and took refuge with Rama.

His betrayal became a turning point in the war, as he provided Rama with vital information about Lanka's defenses and Ravana's weaknesses.

Vibhishanaʼs loyalty to truth blood ties earned him the throne of Lanka after Ravanaʼs 
defeat.

His story highlights the moral complexity within the Ravana siblings – not all were bound 
by blind loyalty; some were driven by a higher sense of justice.

3. Kubera

Kubera, unlike Ravana's other siblings, was not born of the same mother. They were the sons of Vishrava and Ilavid, making them Ravana's elder half-brothers.

Known as the god of wealth and the original ruler of Lanka, Kubera was a respected deity who traveled in the Pushpaka Vimana, a celestial chariot later seized by Ravana.

Despite their blood relation, Ravana and Kubera's paths were very different. Kubera was a symbol of prosperity, order and divine blessing.

While Ravana gained power through victory over and defiance of the gods. Over time, Ravana drove Kubera out of Lanka and regained his throne, marking the beginning of his reign.

The relationship between Kubera and Ravana is a powerful reminder of the contrasts within the same family - one brother follows divine law, the other challenges it.

4. Ahiravana

Ahiravana, sometimes called Mahiravana, was the ruler of Patala Loka.

Unlike Ravana's other brothers, his kingdom was beneath the earth and he was adept in black magic, illusion and deception.

In one of the most thrilling episodes, Ahiravana infiltrated Rama's camp in disguise and kidnapped both Rama and Lakshmana to sacrifice them to Goddess Mahamaya.

His mastery of sorcery made him a formidable opponent. However, Hanuman pursued him to Patala Loka, killed him and rescued Rama and Lakshmana.

His inclusion in the list of all Ravana's brothers highlights the diversity of Ravana's allies and their extraordinary powers.

5. Khara

Khar was one of Ravanaʼs most aggressive and war-skilled brothers.

Ravana appointed him as the ruler of Janasthan, a strategic location in the Dandaka forest.

The twist in Kharʼs story came when his sister Shurpanakha was humiliated by Lakshmana after her failed attempt to seduce Rama.

Enraged by this humiliation, Khar led an army of 14,000 demons against Rama and Lakshmana.

Despite his might, Khar was defeated and killed by Rama in an epic battle, dealing a major blow to Ravanaʼs power.

The story of Khar reminds us that several of Ravanaʼs brothers were deeply entangled in the events that led to the great war.

His loyalty to family and intense sense of vengeance kept him a feared warrior until his last breath.

6. Dushan  

Dushana was one of the fiercest warriors among the Ravanasur brothers and a close associate of his brother Khara.

Known for his exceptional archery skills and unshakable courage, Dushana was often tasked with handling threats that arose from sages or intruders in the forest.

The turning point in Dushan's story came with the infamous Shurpanakha incident. Along with Khara, Dushan led an army of 14,000 demons against Rama and Lakshmana.

The battle was fierce, with Dushan displaying amazing bravery and strategic skills and holding his army together.

Ultimately, Dushan met his end at the hands of Rama. Despite his defeat, his devotion to the family and his willingness to fight till his last breath cements his place in the list of all Ravana's brothers.

Conclusion: Ravana Siblings

Ravana's brothers are not just secondary characters in the Ramayana. Each one had their own virtues, vices and destiny.

Some remained with Ravana till the end, while some chose the path of truth.

Knowing their stories helps us understand the depth of this ancient epic and the complexity of family relationships in the face of dharma.

FAQs About Ravanaʼs Brothers & Sisters

1. Ravanaʼs brother name who helped Rama?

Vibhishana was the brother who joined Ramaʼs side and helped defeat Ravana.

2. Ravan all brothers name?

Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, Khara, Ahiravan, Prahasta, and Kubera (half-brother).

3. Kubera brother of Ravana?

Yes, Kubera was Ravanaʼs half-brother and the original ruler of Lanka before Ravana seized it.

4. Kumbhakarna sister name?

Kumbhakarnaʼs sister was Shurpanakha, whose meeting with Rama triggered a chain of events leading to the war.