In Hindu mythology, Ravana was the Rakshasa king of Lanka. The Rakshasas were a race that lived on Earth, but had supernatural powers, and were usually malevolent, committing evils such as eating humans and disrupting Vedic sacrifices. Ravana is most well known for having stolen Sita, the wife of Rama, precipitating all the events of the Ramayana. But once Ravana also had a conflict with the Sun god Surya.

Filled with anger and pride, Ravana decided that he would go to challenge Surya to combat. When he arrived in the solar realm, Surya was preparing to rise into the sky, for it was the time of dawn.

Ravana sent an envoy to the Sun god, instructing him to say that if Surya did not come out to fight, he must accept defeat.

The gatekeeper received the message. and shouted it to his master, but Surya had already begun his majestic ascent. When he heard Rana’s message, he simply shrugged. “Tell Ravana that I have no time,” he said.

And Ravana returned home, proudly proclaiming that he had defeated the Sun.