Sages & Others
Visrava
विश्रवस्
Father of the Rakshasa Kings
Who was Visrava?
Visrava (विश्रवस्): Father of the Rakshasa Kings, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. A Muni begotten of half the soul of Pulastya, whose anger with his son Kubera set the whole Lanka story moving.
Quick Facts
| Sanskrit name | विश्रवस् |
|---|---|
| Title / Epithet | Father of the Rakshasa Kings |
| Faction | Sages & Others |
| Key traits | ascetic, irascible, potent, granting |
| Notable relationships | Son: Kubera, Son: Ravana, Son: Kumbhakarna, Son: Vibhishana |
| Featured in | 5 stories |
About Visrava
A Muni begotten of half the soul of Pulastya, whose anger with his son Kubera set the whole Lanka story moving. To appease him Kubera sent three Rakshasa women, Pushpotkata, Raka and Malini, to wait on him, and pleased with their service he gave each the princely sons she wished for: Ravana and Kumbhakarna, Khara and Surpanakha, and the righteous Vibhishana. Every Rakshasa the Ramopakhyana turns on is his child.
In Their Words
Each of you shall have the son she has set her heart upon. See what you have asked for.
Visrava
Traits
- ascetic
- irascible
- potent
- granting
Story Appearances
Stories Featuring Visrava
4 further tales on this site name Visrava, in canonical reading order.
- The Grove of Ashoka TreesA captive refuses, and a rakshasi tells her dream
- The Gods Ask for RamaAgni pleads before Brahma, and the answer is a king's son and an army of monkeys and bears
- The Lords of the Waters and the TreasuresBalarama walks the Sarasvati past the fords where Varuna, Kubera, Indra and Surya won what they hold
- The Names That Cleanse SinAsked what destroys sin, Bhishma answers with a litany of gods, rivers, mountains, sages and kings
Character Arc
- The Anger at a SonHe looks with wrath on Kubera, the lord of treasures
- Three AttendantsRakshasa women are sent to serve him and each is granted a boon
- The Sons GivenRavana, Kumbhakarna, Khara, Surpanakha and Vibhishana are born
Key Relationships
- SonKubera
- SonRavana
- SonKumbhakarna
- SonVibhishana
Places in Visrava's Story
Drawn from the stories Visrava appears in.
Related Characters
Others counted among the Sages & Others.