Vidyujjihva, husband of Shurpanakha

Vidyujjihva

The chief of the Kalakeyas and husband of Shurpanakha, killed by Ravana.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Valmiki Ramayana, with other tellings (Ramcharitmanas (Tulsidas), Regional and folk traditions) noted where relevant.

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Relationships

Spouse

Shurpanakha

Introduction

Vidyujjihva was a chief of the Kalakeya Danavas and the husband of Shurpanakha. He is not the same person as the magician Vidyutjihva who appears in the war.

Family

Wife: Shurpanakha

Death

According to the Uttara Kanda, Ravana, while fighting the Kalakeyas, killed Vidyujjihva without knowing that he was married to his sister. Ravana afterwards tried to make amends to Shurpanakha. Some traditions give a different account, in which Ravana killed him out of ambition.

Sources

Valmiki Ramayana, Uttarakanda (primary text) — https://www.valmikiramayan.net/

This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.