Ravan was one of the greatest devotee of Shiva. Ravan composed the Rudra Stotra/ Shiva TANDAVA Stotram in praise of Shiva.

Ravan was one of the greatest devotee of Shiva. Ravan composed the Rudra Stotra/ Shiva TANDAVA Stotram in praise of Shiva. He was a Brahmin of great knowledge and a scholar in Ayurvedic medicens. He designed the lute known as Rudra-Veena using one of his 10 heads as the lute’s gourd, one of his arms as the beam and his nerves as the strings. He was punished by Lord Rama only because of his ‘adharmic’ deeds. Lord Rama was very impressed with Ravan's knowledge and wisdom, which is why after defeating him, he asked Lakshman to seek the blessings of the dying Ravan. “Go to Ravan quickly before he dies and request him to share whatever knowledge he can. A brute he may be, but he is also a great scholar”. ‪ The obedient Lakshman rushed across the battlefield to Ravan’s side and whispered in his ears, “Demon-king, do not let your knowledge die with you. Share it with us and wash away your sins”. Ravan responded by simply turning away. "He is as arrogant as he always was, too proud to share anything”. Rama asked, "Where did you stand while asking Ravan for knowledge?” “Next to his head so that I hear what he had to say clearly”. Ram smiled, placed his bow on the ground and walked to where Ravan lay. Kneeling at Ravan’s feet, palms joined, with extreme humility, Rama said, “Lord of Lanka, you abducted my wife, a terrible crime for which I have been forced to punish you. Now you are no more my enemy. I bow to you and request you to share your wisdom with me. Please do that for if you die without doing so, all your wisdom will be lost forever to the world”. Ravan opened his eyes and raised his arms to salute Ram, “If only I had more time as your teacher than as your enemy. Standing at my feet as a student should, you are a worthy recipient of my knowledge. I have very little time so I cannot share much but let me tell you one important lesson I have learnt in my life. Things that are bad for you, seduce you easily, you run towards them impatiently. But things that are actually good for you fail to attract you, you shun them creatively, finding powerful excuses to justify your procrastination. That is why I was impatient to abduct Sita but avoided meeting you. This is the wisdom of my life, Ram. My last words. I give it to you”. Learned of Vedas, n obtained boons from Shiva, but prisoner of his ego and this was the reason of his downfall! Infact bhakti of egotist is said to be demonic ~ Om Ram Ramaya Namah ~ Shivaya Namah Om!