Vidyujjihva
The Rakshasa magician who made a false head of Rama to deceive Sita.
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.
Vidyutjihva is a Rakshasa magician in the service of Ravana. He is not the same person as Shurpanakha's husband, whose name is spelled almost identically.
To break Sita's hope, Ravana had Vidyutjihva create a false head of Rama and a bow. Ravana showed them to Sita, saying that Rama was dead. Sita despaired until the Rakshasi Sarama told her the truth.
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.