Ravana, in his subsequent incarnation, was born as Shishupala. This transformation is part of a larger divine narrative involving the gatekeepers of Vishnu's abode.
The Cycle of Incarnations: Jaya and Vijaya
According to Hindu scriptures, Ravana was an incarnation of Jaya, one of the two divine gatekeepers (Dvarapalakas) of Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu. Due to a curse, Jaya and his counterpart Vijaya were destined to be born on Earth multiple times as powerful adversaries, only to be vanquished by Vishnu's avatars, thereby achieving liberation.
Ravana's birth was their second incarnation in this cycle of curses. Following their demise in the Treta Yuga, Jaya and Vijaya were reborn again in the subsequent age, the Dvapara Yuga, to continue their cycle of life and death, ultimately leading to their spiritual redemption.
Ravana's Incarnations Explained
The sequence of incarnations for Jaya and Vijaya, as it pertains to Ravana (who was Jaya), can be summarized as follows:
| Incarnation Sequence | Jaya's Form | Vijaya's Form | Yuga (Era) | Met End By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second Life | Ravana | Kumbhakarna | Treta Yuga | Rama |
| Third Life | Shishupala | Dantavakra | Dvapara Yuga | Krishna |
As shown in the table, after his life as Ravana in the Treta Yuga, Jaya (and thus Ravana) was reborn as Shishupala during the Dvapara Yuga. Shishupala was the king of Chedi and a cousin of Lord Krishna. He harbored immense animosity towards Krishna and was ultimately slain by Krishna during the Rajasuya Yajna of Emperor Yudhishthira, marking the completion of Jaya's third and final cursed incarnation. His companion, Vijaya, was reborn as Dantavakra and also met his end at Krishna's hands.
