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what about ravan
In Jainism, Ravan (Ravana) is understood quite differently than in general Hindu stories. Briefly:
- Who is Ravan in Jain view?
- A very powerful and learned king of Lanka, skilled in music, arts, and scriptures. ( jainknowledge.com) - Often shown as a devotee of Bhagwan Parshvanath (23rd Tirthankar) in Jain narratives. ( jainknowledge.com) - He is a mortal soul (jiva) bound by karma, not a god, not a Tirthankar, and not worshipped like a Tirthankar. ( jainknowledge.com)
- Ravan in Jain Ramayana
- In Jain Ramayana (like Padmapurana), Lakshman, not Ram, kills Ravan. Ram later becomes a Jain monk and attains moksha. ( jainknowledge.com) - Ravan is shown as knowledgeable but full of passions (anger, pride, attachment); these cause his fall. ( jainknowledge.com)
- Will Ravan become a Tirthankar?
- No Jain tradition accepts Ravan as a Tirthankar of this or the next time-cycle; the 24 Tirthankars are fixed, and Ravan is not in that list. ( jainknowledge.com) - Every soul can eventually become a Tirthankar in some far future birth, but scriptures do not specifically name Ravan as such.
- Special Jain story: Ravan & Bali Muni
- There is a famous Jain story where Ravan disrespects Bali Muni, tries to lift the mountain, suffers, then repents, worships, and plays veena for Bhagwan. - Because of this intense bhakti and self‑sacrifice, he is said to earn Tirthankar‑nāma‑karma (the karma that can make a soul a Tirthankar in a future very distant era). ( jainknowledge.com) - This shows: even a powerful, proud king can change and earn very high spiritual karma through true devotion and humility.
- Ravan Parshvanath temple (Alwar, Rajasthan)
- A famous Shwetambar Jain tirth is Ravan Parshvanath at Alwar, where tradition says Ravan and Mandodari worshipped an idol of Parshvanath. ( jainknowledge.com)
So, in Jain dharma, Ravan is a big but flawed soul—a learned king, devotee, and example of how pride and violence bind karma, while repentance and bhakti can raise a soul towards liberation.
You can read simple Jain explanations about Ravan and related stories here:
