Ravana: understood or misunderstood
Beyond the horizon, the sun illuminated the shimmering haze of pollution. In that welcome amber glow the time of slower thoughts has arrived, those moments when with open eyes, my brain becomes a perfect empty horizon, seeing, yet content to sit. I feel the soothing breeze, become absorbed in the fireworks at a distance that could be heard easily from my balcony. It was a sign of victory of good over the evil and also the end of 10 days Dussehra. I sat down and start typing my thoughts.
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Dussehra is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Huge effigies of Ravana are burnt on Dussehra with fireworks which also signify the dispelling of darkness by light. Ravana had kidnapped Lord Rama’s wife Sita and held her captive in Lanka due to which a battle ensued between the two warriors and Ravana was killed at the hands of Lord Rama. After Ravana’s death, his brother Vibhishana was made the kind of Lanka. Some people always argue that Ravana was a good human being. He didn’t even touch the Devi Sita. Sounds Legit, right?
Let’s jump into some understanding of the image of Ravana as a brutal king.
Two stories just to start-
Story1:
After gaining boons from Brahma, Ravan became almost invincible. He further acquired seemingly unsurmountable powers and divine weapons by worshipping Shiva. As a result, he made all the gods and demigods, including Yamraj, his prisoner. Ram’s combat with Ravan was essential for the gods to be freed and rescued.
Story2:
Ravan was a huge reservoir of knowledge. However, his knowledge was humbled by his lust for women. He once violated Urvashi’s chastity and was cursed by her husband that if he touches any woman without her consent, his head would break into a thousand pieces. Hence, he couldn’t force himself upon Sita. He was a demon king with no inclination towards Dharma. Lust, anger, infatuation and pride are known to be destroyers of one’s existence. Ravan had all. His goodness was eclipsed by all the wrongs that he did I feel obliged to narrate one more legend, however, there’s one fact that is surprisingly omitted in the question description. Ravan kidnapped Sita’s image, and not Sita herself. Ram knew well in advance of what was coming, hence he left Sita into Agni’s (God of fire) protection. Hence, the famous trial-by-fire incident was orchestrated to get Sita back from the fire god. This fact is mentioned in Ramayan. Otherwise, Ravan would’ve been reduced to ashes just by touching Sita for she happened to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi herself.
Ravana, after gaining a huge reservoir of knowledge, became indestructible and then he started vandalising the existence of Gurus and yogis. And hence, he was required to be taken down, so the story of Ram Vs Ravana started.
But as every coin have two sides, similarly everything comes with the two sides, good and bad.
So, this Dussehra, as people from all across India burn effigies of Ravana as part of the popular ritual, let us dig a little deeper and introspect what makes the anti-hero, Ravana so special and traits we can learn from his life,
Undying Faith and Devotion
Ravana performed extreme repentance (or Tapasya) to appease Shiva that lasted for tens of thousands years. During his atonement, Ravana sacrificed his head for the sake of Shiva and chopped it off 10 different times. Each time he cut his head off, another head emerged, hence empowering him to proceed with his repentance. Finally, satisfied with his severity, Shiva showed up after his tenth beheading and rewarded him a boon of heavenly nectar of eternality.
Ravana additionally requested for supremacy over divine beings, heavenly spirits, different rakshas, and serpents which was granted by Shiva along with his 10 severed heads and an incredible knowledge of heavenly weapons and magic.
Knowledge
Ravana was the grandson of Brahma, the creator of the universe, the son of sage Vishrava and a sibling of Kubera, the god of riches. He himself was an exceptional researcher and was learned in Ayurveda, political science and the ways of the Kshatriyas (warriors). His ten heads are known to speak of his insight into the Shastras and the four Vedas A great Veena player, he additionally wrote several books and verses on medicine and composed the Ravana Samhita, a book on Hindu astrology and the Arka Prakasham. This highlights that despite your ill-deeds, knowledge can win you laurels, even from your staunchest rivals.
Indomitable Leadership
Valmiki recognized Ravana as an exceptionally proficient and just ruler. Ravana emerged victorious in the battle against the demon king Sumali and assumed control and administration over Lanka, thus gaining the title of ‘Lanka Naresh’. Under his reign, the kingdom came to be known as ‘Sone ki Lanka’ (kingdom of gold) and witnessed the most prosperous and magnanimous period in its history. Ravana was a minding ruler, who cared for his subjects well. It was only under his rule and guidance that the kingdom, constricted by Vishwakarma, the best of all architects, flourished.
Ambition and Belief in Self
After his penance to Lord Shiva, Ravana had wished for supremacy over divine beings, heavenly spirits, different rakshas, and serpents. Maintaining conviction in himself and his abilities, he wanted to emerge victoriously and preside over all three worlds. He also fought a series of wars and lost only four times. Ravana also defeated Sumali, the demon king and established control over Lanka. This tells us that ambition is the key to progress. Without ambition, men would have not discovered wheels, horse carts or chariots, magnificent cities, temples and palaces, or majestic sailing ships. Absence of ambition means an absence of growth.
Staying True to Oneself
Ravana wanted to emerge as the greatest ruler, however, he did not aspire to become ‘God’ or attain moksha. In response to the great king Mahabali who advised Ravana to shun malice and greed, the Lanka Naresh told him that he would never strive to be a God and shall live like a man and die as one too. Ravana lived exactly as his emotions guided him and did not aim to be a role model for the generations to follow. This brings forth Ravana’s conviction to live our life to its full and die as a man should, staying true to one’s character and never once aiming to be godly.
But, just because someone has all the positive attributes doesn’t make him a good person. I mean, we are all twisting the itihaas for God’s sake. It is okay to acknowledge a person’s good deeds. But it’s not okay to praise him as a hero. There is lots more responsibility for a person on a position where Ravana was, and he failed to fulfil those.
You can praise Ravana for something but cannot declare him the hero of the story.
