Ravananugraha

Ravananugraha-murti ("form [of Shiva] showing grace to Ravana") is a benevolent aspect of Shiva, depicted seated on his abode Mount Kailash with his consort Parvati [or Uma], while the rakshasa-king (demon-king) Ravana of Lanka attempts to uproot it. According to Hindu scriptures, Ravana once tried to lift Mount Kailash, but Shiva pushed the mountain into place and trapped Ravana beneath it. For a thousand years, the imprisoned Ravana sang hymns in praise of Shiva, who finally blessed him and granted him an invincible sword and a powerful linga to worship.

The theme is found as early as the Gupta-Pallava era in India (300–600 CE), and was popular among artists of Ancient Southeast Asia, in particular on a lintel and pediment at Banteay Srei, Cambodia.