Rāvaṇa is the primary antagonist in the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana where he is depicted as the Great king of Lanka. Ravana, a devotee of Lord Shiva, is depicted and described as a great scholar, a capable ruler and a maestro of the Veena (plucked stringed instrument). He is also described as extremely powerful and has ten heads. His ten heads represent his knowledge of the six Shastras and the four Vedas.