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

Key facts about Visrava
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	2 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

One further tale on this site names Visrava.

The Grove of Ashoka TreesA captive refuses, and a rakshasi tells her dreamVana Parva16 min

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

Places in Visrava's Story

Drawn from the stories Visrava appears in.

Others counted among the Sages & Others.