Lanka is more than a city of gold—it is the symbol of Ravana's ambition, power, and ultimate tragedy. This book explores the splendour of the Rakshasa kingdom as described in Valmiki's Ramayana, the Ramcharitmanas, Kamban's Tamil epic, Jain tellings, and Southeast Asian traditions. From the celestial Pushpaka Vimana to the towering fortifications of the golden fortress, Lanka's wealth and grandeur are legendary. But how did Ravana, a brahmin-born ascetic, come to rule this island kingdom? The story begins with his half-brother Kubera, the original lord of Lanka, and Ravana's fierce penance to win boons from the gods. This volume traces the conquest, the acquisition of treasures, and the administration of a city that embodied both prosperity and pride. It also examines the moral dimensions: Was Lanka's fall inevitable because its foundation was stolen? With careful attention to multiple Ramayana traditions, Kavitha Subramanian Rao offers a nuanced portrait of a king and his kingdom that continue to fascinate readers across the world. Part of The Ramayana Character Library.
About the author
Kavitha Subramanian Rao writes for The Ramayana Character Library.
