The Eternal Clash: Devotion vs. Arrogance
As the echoes of the festive season fade, COLORS’ dramatic series ‘Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyag Tandav’ pivots to one of the most compelling figures in Hindu mythology: Ravan, the King of Lanka. He is celebrated as Lord Shiva’s greatest devotee (parambhakt) yet infamous as the ultimate villain. The upcoming storyline illuminates this profound paradox, plunging viewers into the cosmic conflict where Ravan’s immense devotion is tested by his overreaching arrogance. This narrative move promises a spectacle that is both philosophically rich and visually grand.
The catalyst for this new arc is a monumental face-off at the gates of Mount Kailash. Ravan, returning triumphant after conquering his step-brother Kubera’s kingdom and seizing the celestial vehicle, the Pushpak Viman, attempts to fly it over the sacred abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Stepping in his path is Nandi, Lord Shiva’s loyal gatekeeper and foremost devotee, echoing the Lord’s divine command to respect the sanctity of his residence. This confrontation between two of Shiva’s most ardent followers—one driven by calm purpose, the other by fiery pride—marks the tragic beginning of Ravan’s descent.
The Man Behind the Roar: Puneet Issar as Dashanan
Embodying the towering, complex figure of Dashanan (Ravan) is the seasoned powerhouse performer, Puneet Issar. Known for his masterful command over mythological roles, Issar brings a rare mix of grace, gravitas, and commanding presence to the character. His portrayal seeks to transcend the simple antagonist label, presenting Ravan as a brilliant scholar of the Vedas, a magnificent ruler, and a devout follower, whose potential was utterly corrupted by an unrestrained ego.
Issar himself views Ravan not as a mere villain but as a ‘paradox and a mirror to human complexity.’ He finds the role spiritually and intellectually demanding, drawn to the challenge of showing the audience that the annual burning of Ravan’s effigy symbolizes the destruction of our own inner vices—the fall of a great man due to his inability to control his power and pride. This track is poised to be one of the show’s most impactful arcs, focusing on the timeless battle of self-control over self-destruction.
Ravan’s Unparalleled Shiva Bhakti
While Ravan’s arrogance leads to his eventual downfall, his devotion to Lord Shiva is legendary and deeply revered in various Puranic and Shaiva traditions. Ravan’s bhakti was not passive; it was fierce, intense, and often involved immense self-sacrifice.
One of the most widely recounted stories is Ravan’s attempt to lift Mount Kailash itself. After being stopped or mocked by Nandi, Ravan’s ego drove him to try and uproot the entire mountain. Lord Shiva simply pressed it down with a single toe, trapping Ravan beneath. Instead of cursing his fate, the trapped Ravan, in excruciating pain, composed the potent hymn, the Shiva Tandava Stotra, in praise of the cosmic dancer. Pleased with this ultimate act of surrender, Shiva released him and bestowed upon him the name ‘Ravana’—one who roars—and gifted him the divine sword, Chandrahasa. Furthermore, the lore describes him creating a veena for Shiva by using his own severed arm and sinews as strings, and even offering his own heads during penance, an act that earned him his famous ten heads (Dashmukh), each symbolizing the knowledge of the four Vedas and six Shastras.
The Significance of the Nandi Confrontation
The televised confrontation between Ravan and Nandi taps into this pivotal moment of the Ravan legend. The story often includes Nandi, who, enraged by Ravan’s arrogance, either mocked Ravan’s ape-like face or cursed him, declaring that a vanara (monkey-man) would be the cause of Ravan’s destruction. This curse famously came true when Hanuman, a vanara and a staunch devotee of Lord Ram, later burned down Ravan’s Golden City of Lanka. The TV show’s focus on this event highlights the precise moment where Ravan’s immense power and devotion were completely overshadowed by his fatal flaw: his ego.
The new Ravan track in ‘Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyag Tandav’ is set to deliver a philosophical spectacle, reminding the audience that true power lies not just in might and knowledge, but in humility and the mastery of the self. This journey into the heart of Ravan’s saga is an unmissable exploration of why even the greatest devotee can fall when they forget the grace of surrender.
Watch ‘Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyag Tandav’ every Monday to Sunday at 8:00 PM, only on COLORS
