Lord of demons and king of Lanka, who abducted Sita (Rama’s wife). (Glossary for the Vahinis)
Birth
Ravana was born to parents by name Brahma and Kaikasi. He had brothers, with names Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana. (SSB 1977 p.154)
Ravana was the great-grandson of Brahma..... the grandson of the great Pulastya and the son of Visravas.
Ravana taught a great lesson to the world. He exclaimed: “Oh men! Do not live as I have lived and ruin your lives.” What is the root cause of Ravana ruin? Unable to conquer his desires, unwilling to get rid of his impulses, he ruined his entire clan. His sons were killed. His brother and other kinsmen were killed and ultimately his country itself was reduced to ashes. Ravana confessed: “In the end I ruined myself.” This was the message Ravana gave to his countrymen in his last moments. (SSS Vol.30 p.91)
Who was Ravana? Ravana is described as a demon with ten heads. These ten heads are the six vices, namely desire, anger, greed, infatuation, pride and jealousy and Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Citta (will) and Ahamkara (Ego). Since these ten are present in every human being, all men are Ravana indeed! Whoever beheads all these ten heads in fact becomes a Rama. It is God alone who can behead ten heads! When a man surrenders himself to God, all these ten heads will go and he will merge in Rama. (SSS Vol.25, p.186)
Ravanasura was a very wicked person. Mandodari could live long with him because of her forbearance. Mandodari used to advise Ravana in many ways. She used to tell him if the same thing had happened to him, how much he would have felt. You should not go after the wife of another person. Is there anything wrong in Rama getting angry? Don’t you think they would feel just as you would feel? You just correct yourself. Don’t try to make your fault as something very big. (DTB Vol.3, p.17)
You may be knowing that Ravana was a great scholar. He mastered the four Vedas and six Shastras. In spite of this knowledge of scriptures, was there any transformation in him? No. instead of developing Daivatva (divine qualities), he developed Danavatwa demonic qualities). The ten heads of Ravana symbolise four Vedas and six Shastras. Rama severed Ravana’s ten heads since he did not put into practice the knowledge he had acquired. Mere learning and chanting of Vedas will not bring out any transformation. By cutting the heads of Ravana, Rama propagated this truth in the world. Ravana did not have ten heads in a literal sense. In fact, four Vedas and six Shastras represented his ten heads. The message that Rama conveyed was that mere acquisition of knowledge is of little value. All that God teaches is for the benefit and welfare of humanity. It is enough if one puts into practice at least one of the teachings of the Vedas. All your knowledge is useless if you do not put into practice. Ravana learnt this lesson when he was on the deathbed. Only then did he realise his mistake and repented for it. By sincere repentance he attained purity and sacredness. (SS Apr 05, p.110-11)
Ravana constantly worshipped
Practice the knowledge acquired:
The ten heads of Ravana symbolized four Vedas and six Shastras. In the decisive battle, Rama severed Ravana’s heads since he did not put into practice the knowledge he had acquired. Mere learning of sacred texts and chanting of Vedas will not bring about any transformation. In order to drive home this message, Rama cut off with his arrows Ravana’s ten heads. It is only right in the end. Just before his spirit left his body Ravana did recognise his faults and repented for them and became sacred thereby. All that God preaches is for the benefit and welfare of humanity. Therefore, it is enough if one puts into practice at least one of the teachings of the Vedas. It should be a natural trait for everyone to put practice the divine teachings. (SSS Vol.37 p.214)
Ravana constantly worshipped Ishvara (God). It is not enough if you worship God, you should put His words into practice. You should give up all wicked qualities. When Ravana was about to breath his last, Rama summoned Lakshmana and told him, ‘The one of great penance and wisdom is going to die. Go and listen to his last words.’ Obeying the command of his brother, Lakshmana went close to Ravana and listened to his words carefully. Ravana said, ‘I achieved whatever I wanted, but only three of my wishes remain unfulfilled. I wanted to convert the salt water of the sea surrounding Lanka into sweet water. I wanted to make those who suffer in hell enjoy the comforts of heaven. I wanted to connect hell and heaven with a ladder. But, I went on postponing them and ultimately could not accomplish them.’ Lakshmana returned to Rama and told the last words of Ravana. Rama smiled and said, ‘Lakshmana, what is the use of repenting in the end? The moment he wanted to do good, he should have done so immediately.’ (SSS Vol.31 p.278)
Craved for the Prakriti – the objective world - discarding Purusha
Believe that Dharma or Moral Rectitude will never play false; it will ensure joy than can be gained through all other means. Rama destroyed Ravana; it was victory of one head over ten; Concentration over distraction. Ravana craved for Prakriti (Sita) discarding the Purusha which gave it values and meaning viz., Rama. If you crave for Prakriti, the objective world, you degrade yourself, you deny your reality, and you join Ravana’s brood. Do not imagine that the lord is outside Prakriti, or even of you, who are reall a part of Prakriti. He is in you, beside you, before you. He is the eye of eye; the I of your I Yearn for Yoga or Union with Him. (SSS Vol.3 p.182)
Vast knowledge of spiritual texts:
Ravana had vast knowledge of spiritual texts. His ten heads represent the learning he had from the six Shastras and four Vedas. But, he never did put that knowledge to an use. He craved for the possession of Prakriti only; he wanted to master the world of matter, the objective world. He was master of material sciences. But, he was not tamed b the Spirit. He had no realisation of higher values of the Spirit. He had discarded the Purusha – Rama; he was content with the possession of Lanka of Prakriti, represented by Sita. That was why he fell.
When people do not place faith in the Atma but pursue the senses only, the danger signal is up and the Lord sends a Messenger or comes Himself, if a great step in reconstruction has to take place. (SSS Vol.3, p.205)
The entire Ramayana is like a game of chess. The scene in the Ramayana is a kind of battlefield where forces of right and wrong are waging war. Rama represents righteousness and Ravana represents unrighteousness. The battle between the two is the war on battlefield’. (SSS Vol.30, p.91)
Ravana was a great person who had mastered the Spiritual Texts and who was earnest in Spiritual Observances. Every morning, he used to go round of the many Temples of Shiva. He had mastered the Four Vedas and Six Shastras and so he was praised and depicted as having ‘Ten Heads’! His Queen, Mandodari lamented over her husband’s defeat and death, at the hands of a mere man leading a host of monkeys! She had learnt from the Shastras that death caused by drowning or by the fall from a tree or through monkeys converts ghosts that wander in the realms of darkness. So, she wondered why such a fate overtook the great Scholar, the pious devotee, that Ravana was. Then she remembered that the spark of lust that he harboured in his heart had burnt all that Scholarship and all that piety into ash! He was not able to control his senses or sublimate the sensory urges. A bullock that does not yield to the yoke, a horse that resists the reins, a car without brakes and a person who knows no self – control, are all equally heading towards disaster! (SSS Vol.8, p.336)
Ravana was a great scholar. He had mastered sixty-four types of vidya (knowledge). He was the first one who invented an aeroplane called Pushpaka Vimana. He had mastered the language of animals, birds and insects. There was nothing wanting by way of knowledge in Ravana. In terms of wealth and prosperity his kingdom excelled heaven itself. He did a lot of penance to acquire mastery over the physical world. In spite of all these, he had faith only in the phenomenal world and not in the Divine. He did not choose to enquire who was behind all creation. (SSS Vol.25, p.312)
Extract taken from Ramayana: A Divine Drama Vol.5
Lust and Desire bring about catastrophe:
Ravana died. It was a piteous scene. Men and women were widowed were weeping over the corpses of their husbands. Likewise, children who were orphaned in the battle field were weeping over the bodies of their parents. Grief was writ large on the face of everybody in Lanka. What was the cause for all this? It was Ravana’s lust which was the cause for the calamity that befell Lanka. Even a single fly is to bring a catastrophe. A whole potful of milk turns into poison if you mix a drop of poison. Although there were good people in the kingdom, Ravana contaminated it totally by his venomous behaviour. Even a small flaw can be fatal. The ants may be small, but they can kill a big serpent. Similarly, the mistake may minor, but it can be disastrous. The seed may be small, but it has the potentiality of growing into gigantic tree. The seed has the capacity to grow up into a tree, to yield fruits and thorns as well. Hence, caution should be exercised to sow only a seed that yields fruits and not thorns. Similarly, a flaw should be eliminated in the initial stage itself, since it is difficult to exterminate it when it assumes gigantic proportions. That is why Upanishads laid down: ‘Tasmai Namah Karmane’ – salutations to the work. Why should we salute Karma? We should make our actions pure, sacred and pleasing to the Lord. The Vedas also laid down that all must be performed only for the pleasure of the Lord. Actions performed for the pleasure of the Lord will protect us one day or the other. (SSB 1996 p.81-82)
Only by suppressing desires does a man manifest his humanness. A man, who is unable to put an end to his desires, puts an end to himself. (SSS Vol.30 p.91)
Revere your Mother:
We should never make our mother shed tears. In other countries, also there is a belief that where women are made to cry prosperity will vanish. Your duty therefore is to see that you do not hurt your mother in any way whatsoever. The entire clan of Ravana came to ruin because he made Sita weep.
Procrastination is thief of time:
Realising that Ravana would pass away in a few minutes many sages, scholars and noble men came to Ravana and asked him, ‘O Ravana! You performed many good deeds as well as evil deeds. What is it most memorable thing that you have discovered in your life?’ To this Ravana replied, ‘Sirs! Do not delay the noble acts you want to perform at any time. Put into action whatever noble thoughts and feelings that arise in your heart instantaneously. Procrastination is the thief of time. It is dangerous to delay. At one time, I thought of connecting the earth and heaven with a ladder. I wished to turn the saline water surrounding Lanka into sweet water. I wished to bring comfort and solace to the residents of Hell. Though I decided to do these things, I delayed acting. Therefore, I could never succeed in doing them. Translate into action whatever good resolve arises in your minds. We waste our time in postponing the good deeds. We should be ever ready to put into action all the good thoughts that arise in the mind.’ This is the noble advice that Ravana gave to people who came to him at the fag end of his life. Since he delayed the performance of good deeds, it brought disaster to him. (SSB 2002, p.100-101)
Conquer Jealousy Ego and Anger:
Although one may possess considerable amount of strength in the material sense of the word, if he does not have the adhyatmika or the spiritual power, there is every chance of losing all that he has. Ravana did possess a considerable amount of worldly power and even moral power and was a devotee of God. Yet, he fell to the lowest depths because of some of his bad qualities like jealousy and anger. (SSB 1977, p.114)
He could invade the city of Kubera, defeat him and take away the Pushpaka Vimana. This shows that in him there was a quality of jealousy. He could not bear Kubera being greater than him. Not only this, he invaded the city of Mayura his father - - in – law, defeated him, took away all his attendants and annexed his city which was the principal city of Lanka. Here one should recognise that if there is a room for such bad qualities to grow, even though they begin in a small way, in the end like white ants they will destroy the entire life. Sometimes, because of weakness, or in a state of excitement, one does things which one should not do and in the end he will have to repent. (SSB 1977, p.162)
Ravana was a Duratma (an evil–souled being) (SSS Vol.22, p.67)
When bad ideas fill your head, your thoughts and your intelligence will become blunt. Because Ravana had the three bad qualities of jealousy, anger and ego filling his head, he was deprived of all chances of success although he had several powers. For one who is suffering from ego, the power of discrimination between transient and what is permanent will be missing. One who develops jealousy will lose kindness and the ability to give freely. One who develops anger will lose all opportunity for reaching the heights of glory and his own possessions will disappear. His reputation and his strength will disappear at the moment when they are most needed. Those who are near to him will become distant from him. For one who develops pride, everything will become bad. Those who suffer from anger cannot achieve any result. They will also feel ashamed at the critical time.
Ravana was ruling over a kingdom and his capital city would compare well with heaven. But because of his bad qualities, he lost his own happiness, his kingdom and everything that he had. In fact, he destroyed his own dynasty and family. He knew all the codes of conduct of a king and he knew everything and yet he was behaving like a monkey. He knew several things, but because he was not putting his knowledge into practice, he became worse than one who has no knowledge at all. (SSB 1977, p.115)
In our daily life, we exhibit several bad qualities like anger, jealousy, and comparing ourselves with others. These bad qualities should be given up and sacrificed. Because Ravana had these qualities which go contrary to the purusharthas, he became a Rakshasa. Ravana may have been a devotee, may have been a very learned, but in spite of this because he had these four bad qualities which are contrary to purusharthas, Dharma, artha, kama and Moksha, he became a sinner. To such people, whatever Dharma you may preach, it will appear as if it is wrong. (SSB 1977, p.161-162)
Master the Senses:
Even Ravana acknowledged the nobility of Rama before he breathed his last. He gave a message to the people in his last moments, ‘Oh people, I lost my sons, brothers, my entire clan and kingdom as I could not control my desires. Do not become slaves to the senses, like me. Follow the ideal of Rama and sanctify your lives.’ (SSS Vol. 32, Part II p.71)
Cleanse the heart and control the senses:
One can escape from the house on fire, but not from the senses, which are ignited by the fire of evil qualities. (DD 19.11.99, p.3-4)
The light or the lamp however can only dispel: the darkness outside but cannot remove the darkness that envelopes the heart as a result of attachments and aversions carried from previous lives. Not all the blaze of light which filled Lanka when Hanuman set it on fire could remove the darkness from Ravana s heart. Because his heart was filled with lust and hate, no light could penetrate it.
Even as the lamp needs a container, oil, wick and a matchstick to light it, for lighting the inner flame, one needs a container in the form of renunciation (Vairagya), the oil of devotion (Bhakti), the wick of mental concentration, and the matchstick of true awareness (Tattva-jnana). Even if any one of these four is lacking, the light of self cannot be lit. (SS August 1987, p. 209)
During the war in Lanka, Rama saw one day a powerful effulgent figure before Him. Vibhishana told Rama that it was none other than Rama s enemy, Ravana. Seeing him, Rama felt that but for his bad qualities, Ravana, who was so powerful and great, would not have come to such a pitiable end. Whatever maybe one s scholarship or intelligence, without the strength of character they are likely to dehumanise man. You must fortify yourself with the strength of character, along with the acquisition of knowledge. There is nothing that cannot be achieved by a righteous person. (SSS Vol.22, p.3-4)
REASONS FOR RAVANA’S DESTRUCTION:
Man seeks to earn contentment and joy by subjugating the forces of Nature to his fragile will. But all efforts to establish mastery over Prakriti (nature) or command it, or employ it for personal aggrandisement are bound to fail, are certain to recoil on man with deadly impact. In India, the story of the Ramayana is well known. In that story, Ravana coveted Sita, daughter of Earth (that is to say the Nature). He did not evince any attachment to the Lord of nature, that is to say, Rama, (God). He sought to gain nature, and not the master of nature (Rama—the husband of Sita). The penalty he paid was terrible; he perished in flames of his own foolish passion. The vast empire he built up so laboriously lay in ruins. He fell amidst corpses of the heroes who had rendered him unswerving loyalty. Ravana was a great scholar; he had climbed the highest pinnacle of asceticism and won many supernatural powers. But since he did not bend before the master of Prakriti (Nature) he suffered irreparable damnation.
When his steps are towards God, man has no reason to fear; but, when they are turned away from Him, fear haunts him at every turn. God is the source of joy. People yearn for joy, but they accept the genuine the counterfeit joy given by the senses. No one knows that nature is but vesture of God. There is nothing real except He. (SSS Vol.6, p.191-192)
Ravana defied Lord Rama and tried to acquire Sita
Ravana defied Lord Rama and tried to acquire Sita. Who can hope to win over Nature, which is God’s property? It is an exhibition of ignorance to dream of winning over Nature. None can obtain success in this task. What was Ravana’s situation at the end? He was the cause for the total destruction of his family, brothers, sons and the kingdom itself. Hence, prior to acquiring Nature, one must secure God’s Grace. If the Nature is the body, God is the Soul residing in it. A body without Soul is of no use. The body has value only as long as the Soul remains in it. Whenever there is any ailment in any part of the body, is it able to set it right by itself? Not at all! God controls all the three – the doer, task and the action as well. Amongst His many names, God is also called as the One who bestows the fruits of actions. You are merely performing the assigned, but it is God who is presenting you with the results of action. Fools who do not recognise this truth conjure up dreams of winning over Nature. They think that their physical, intellectual and scientific prowess is sufficient to achieve this task. (SSB 1996, p.87-88)
Ravana wanted to die in Rama’s Hands:
Ravana was a great scholar, a great devotee. Though he abducted Sita, he never touched her. It was only to provoke Ramachandra, to make him furious and very angry. Then, He would fight him – and Ravana prayed to die at His hands
But Rama is not a simple man to fight about simple issues such as water or border disputes. Unless there was a threat to Dharma (righteousness), He would not interfere. So the Sita kidnapping provoked Him to wage war. Thus, He killed Ravana. This was a man who wanted to die at the hands of Rama. So why say, ’He is a bad man’ (Alarm Bells! Divine, p .40-41)
Ravana ignored the three types of advice – Sujnana, Vijnana, Prajnana
Ravana was a most powerful king, fully accomplished in all the arts, with mastery of the Vedas. He had performed a severe penance. But, because he used all his talents for his selfish purpose, he met with an ignominious death. He was warned by his wife Mandodari, who was a paragon of virtue, standing for Sujnana (right knowledge), that he was not following the righteous path as he had stealthily kidnapped Sita, wife of Rama. She questioned him whether he would keep quiet if his wife had been kidnapped. She thus taught Sujnana (beneficial wisdom). But Ravana ignored her advice.
His brother, Vibhishana, tried to teach him Vijnana (discriminatory wisdom) by telling him that he was not using his Buddhi (intellect) in the right way and was doing a reprehensible act which was unbecoming of an emperor like him. Ravana ignored this too.
Later, Hanuman advised him in terms of Prajnana (Supreme Wisdom). He told Ravana that in spite of his Vidya (vast scholarship and knowledge), he had failed to recognise the Atma as the reality of an individual and with body consciousness he was indulging in a despicable act, losing control over his senses and mind. He had brought Sita, the Mother of the Universe, with a base motive.
Ravana paid no heed to the three types of advice and as a result courted disaster. The life of one who acts out of selfish motives is in the hands of others, while the one with a pure heart and selfless motive, seeking the welfare of the world, has his life in his own hands. Rama was an example of this. (SSS VoL.26, p.255-256)
Rajasika Mahatmas vs. Sattvika Mahatmas:
Ravana is a Mahatma; Tataka, described as an ogress is also a Mahatma! That is to say, they had superhuman prowess, and mysterious powers. All are Divine; God is the inner motivator of everyone. They are Mahatmas not only in the sense that all Mahatmas; they are Rajasika Mahatmas, enslaved by their emotions and passions, quick to hate and slow to forget the slights inflicted on them. Rama and Lakshmana are Sattvika Mahatmas, embodiments of prowess and powers that righteousness and virtue can endow. A red hot iron hammer can be hammed into shape, by a cold iron hammer, can’t it? So too, a person’s red hot emotions and passion can be hammered by the hammer that knows no heat of anger or hate. That is the reason Rama was able to defeat Ravana and destroy him. Why? The very word Sattva means strength, power, vigour, vitality. For, virtue is power, goodness is power. A person is angry, because he is weak; he is a bully, because he is a coward, he utter lies, because he is sure he deserves to be punished and he is too weak to welcome it gladly. (SSS Vol.7, p.83)
Good Qualities:
Maharshi
Even in Ravana, who is generally taken to be a bad person, Valmiki has shown certain good qualities. In some places good qualities of Vali also were described by Valmiki. As has been stated earlier, great saints are equal minded. Because of the saintly character of Valmiki, he showed the weakness of Rama and he showed the good qualities of Ravana. He was selfless person. He was called Maharshi; because of he could see the past, present and future. It is only a great saint or a Maharshi that he is entitled to write poetry. Poets like Valmiki and Vyasa were Maharishis. Because of this, whatever they had written has come to be regarded as permanent truth and it remained so for all the time. (SSB 1977 p.9)
A great Scholar
Ravana was a great scholar. He mastered the four Vedas and six Sastras. In spite of this knowledge of scriptures, was there any transformation in him? No. Instead of developing Daivatva (divine qualities), he developed Danavatva demonic qualities). The ten heads of Ravana symbolise four Vedas and six Sastras. Rama severed Ravana’s ten heads since he did not put into practice the knowledge he had acquired. Learning and chanting of Vedas will not bring out any transformation. By cutting the heads of Ravana, Rama propagated this truth in the world. Ravana did not have ten heads in a literal sense. In fact, four Vedas and six Sastras represented his ten heads. The message that Rama conveyed was that mere acquisition of knowledge is of little value. All that God teaches is for the benefit and welfare of humanity. It is enough if one puts into practice at least one of the teachings of the Vedas. All your knowledge is useless if you do not put into practice. Ravana learnt this lesson when he was on the deathbed. Only then did he realise his mistake and repented for it. By sincere repentance he attained purity and sacredness. (SS. April ’05, p. 110-111)
Greed is the monstrous evil that drags man down. When Ravana lay dying, Rama directed His brother, Lakshmana, to go to him and learn from him the secrets of successful statecraft! (SSS Vol.25, p.4)
‘Look here, Lakshmana, Ravana is not an ordinary man. He is a great worshipper of Lord Shiva, he is a great scholar, and he is great king. Go and learn political administration from him’ (Alarm Bells! Divine, p.23)
Ravana taught him that a king who is eager to win glory must suppress greed as soon as it lifts its head, and welcome the smallest chance to do good to others, without the slightest procrastination! He had learnt the lesson through bitter experience! (SSS Vol.25, p.4)
Mightiest Potentate
Ravana was the mightiest potentate of his day, as Valmiki describes him. His capital was an impregnable fortress, filled with rare treasures. (SSS Vol. 8, p.5)
None could equal him in wealth. Kubera (the treasurer of the gods) was his own brother. He had a fortress of gold. There were wide avenues in his kingdom, and tall mansions. Pearls decorated the walls. Such was the wealth that he had. But, of what use was it all? He had no character. Ultimately, he had no leave all his riches and go. Hence, you must first develop character. True education develops character. There is absolutely no use of wealth in the hands of a person without character. He will experience the same fate of Ravana.
He who enjoys not happiness,
Will find a long life useless to him.
Even if a lake full of water is placed before the dog
The miserable creature will not derive very satisfaction! (SSB 1996, p.108)
Invented the aeroplane:
Ravana or Hiranyakashipu....... lacked good qualities and developed hatred and enmity towards God. Hiranyakashipu was a great scientist. Ravana was the one who invented aeroplane. He had mastered the language of animals, birds and insects. But, people value purity of heart more than these achievements. It is the foremost duty of every individual to keep his/her senses under control. (DD 19.11.99, p.3-4)
Ascetic Practices
Ravana was great and was also habituated to perform tapas. By continuous penance, he earned the grace of Ishvara and secured boons from Him. On one occasion when he was engaged in deep penance, Brahma appeared before him and asked Ravana what boon he wanted. Then Ravana asked of Brahma to grant him a boon by which he will not be killed by any human being or animal. (SSB 1977, p.154-155)
Ravana decided that he must overpower the rulers of the world and realising that he could do so only by winning divine Grace, he went over to the depths of the forest and selected s favourable, auspicious spot for his ascetic practices.
The asceticism of Ravana was so intense and satisfying that God Brahma was compelled to appear before him and offer to grant him whatever boon he desired ... (RKRV Part I, p.28)
Good vs. Greatness
A good man by his good conduct achieves greatness. Ravana sought to achieve greatness, but did not strive to lead a good life. (SSS Vol.30, p.91)
Bad Qualities:
Murkha (a senseless man)
You have to make a distinction between knowledge and wisdom. When Valmiki was asked by Lava and Kusa why he described Ravana as murkha (a senseless man), although he was the master of all the Vedas and Sastras, while describing Rama as a high-souled person, he said: ‘Ravana was a well-versed scholar, but did not, practice what he knew. Rama was a Jnani (a wise one) who lived up to what he had learnt. By controlling His senses, Rama led a life of truth-and righteousness.’ Education that is used only for selfish ends is no education at all. Education should be used for promoting the welfare of others. Ravana sought only his own pleasure. Rama dedicated His life for the welfare of all. (SSS Vol.22, p.22-23)
Ten heads of Ravana:
Who was Ravana? Ravana is described as a demon with ten heads. These ten heads are the six vices, namely desire, anger, greed, infatuation, pride and jealousy and Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Citta (will) and Ahamkara (Ego). Since these ten are present in every human being, all men are Ravana indeed! Whoever beheads all these ten heads in fact becomes a Rama. It is God alone who can behead ten heads! When a man surrenders himself to God, all these ten heads will go and he will merge in Rama. (SSS Vol.25, p.186)
Sinner:
One should not commit sin, when one is aware that it is a sin. This was the fatal flaw of Ravana; he committed sin, with the full knowledge of it. Action, if performed innocently, is not a sin. (SSB 1996, p.82-83)
Ravana knowing what he was doing was wrong did the wrong thing:
Wherever the word Sva occurs, it pertains to the heart or the Atma or the place of Brahman himself. This establishes that any work or any sentence that comes from the depths of your heart is a form of truth. Therefore, when we take the sacred place where Brahman resides as the basis, then every word that we utter becomes a true work of Brahman. This Shvastana , the place which is the place of Brahman will give only words of truth. For illustrating this, a very good example has been provided in Ramayana. Ravana recognised and understood that taking away Sita was wrong and in spite of knowing that he was doing wrong he did the wrong thing. Since he committed the sin knowingly, he was put to great many difficulties later on.
If there is a person who has recognised the truth and understood the truth and yet adopts a bad path contrary to the dictates of his own heart, then the fact that he has taken to a wrong act must be due to qualities like anger or jealous.. Such qualities must have prompted him to do the wrong act. One night, Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, went to Ravana to tell him that what Ravana did was wrong. Vibhishana held his brothers hands in great endearment and said that the sin which Ravana had committed has brought distress to all the citizens of Lanka. He said that because of Ravana s sin, there were snakes and cobras going about in every house where there should have been only recitation of Vedas. In the temples where Siva should have been worshipped, there were all kinds of insects and bad signs were seen because of the sin committed by Ravana. That there were insects in the food offered to God and that in places where Siva was worshipped, there snakes were consequences of the fact that Ravana, though well versed in all the Vedas and knew what was righteous conduct, committed the sin. Only when an attempt is made to refrain from committing a sin, do we do justice to human life. Even if individual commits the wrong, it spreads to his entire house to his family. If the King of a land commits a sin, then the entire land becomes a sinful land. This is why we say Yatha Raja tatha praja . The happiness and joy of the people depends on the happiness and prosperity of the king. The country s good, bad and prosperity depend on the rulers of the country. If our country which is known for its immortal spirit and which is the embodiment of the spirit of Brahman and of all that is good, has today fallen to a desperate and frustrated situation, there is no doubt that our rulers are responsible for this. If you, young people are desirous of rectifying this bad situation into which our country has fallen, you must be able to practice good thoughts, do good deeds and have a strong determination to remove the evil in our country. Recognising the importance of truth, righteousness and morality and not being able to put them into practice is the greatest sin. (SSB 1974, p.71-72)
He had no faith (Atma Vishwas)
Since Ravana had no faith (Atma Vishwas). He plunged into abysmal depths. Even his Tapas (Penance), turned into Tamas (dullness). Tapas should strengthen one’s faith, but this did not happen in the case of Ravana. (SSB 1996, p.85)
Could not bear happiness of others
Ravana could not bear the happiness of other people. The normal human nature should be to become happy by looking at the happiness of others. There are many people in the world who, like Ravana, take a lot of interest in any happiness that may come in the way of other people and who cannot bear others being happy. (SSB 1977, p.162)
He was Valorous – Harboured hatred –rendered his life miserable
Whatever penances, japas or sacrifices people do, they are unable to get rid of unhappiness. The reason is they have not been able to get rid of their hatred. Ravana was a valorous person, with many talents and accomplishments. But because he was filled with hatred, he could have no happiness. By harbouring hatred man renders his life miserable. ‘The angry man fails in every one of his enterprises’ (Telugu saying). Anger brings in its train all kinds of ill- fame. Hatred by infamy, he can have no happiness. (SSS Vol.30, p.206)
Lack of power to discriminate:
The paradox of human behaviour is that, having the power of discrimination to identify good and bad, man is not able to get away from bad pursuits. This is due to the weakness of the human mind, which is in turn the result of desire and anger. Take the example of Ravana, who was a great scholar and master of many arts.
Ravana looked at Sita with a bad vision. The eye is a sacred organ. Good vision generates good thoughts. In Ravana, the bad look created bad thoughts, which led to his downfall. (SSS Vol.26, p.127)
Deceitful and Untruthful:
Ravana, in the story of Ramayana, is teaching to the world that no one should have such bad qualities as he had. Ravana was a wicked person and he adopted trickeries. He spoke untruth and told Rama that he brought the head of Sita while he actually brought only an artificially created head of Sita, a deceit. He told that he killed Sita and brought the head. Since Rama was all - knowing, he realised that this was a trick and told Ravana that it could not be the truth. Similarly, he did the trick of getting the head of Rama and showing it to Sita and telling her that he had killed Rama. (SSB 1977, p.162)
The two principles of Satya and Dharma are the very opposites of Ravana s propensities. (DD on 2.4.2001)
Victim of Lust, hatred and greed
The Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavatam are three monumental works which point out the disastrous consequences which result when one is a victim of Kama (lust) or Lobha (greed) or Krodha (hatred).
In the Ramayana, Ravana exemplifies lust. The entire Ramayana story happened because of Ravana’s lust. Rama’s advent as Avatar was for the purpose of destroying Ravana. (SSS Vol.21, p.88)
If the quality of Kama comes close to a person, even his good qualities will be removed and subdued. Ravana was a great sage. He was a devoted person. Towards the end, because of the bad quality of Kama or lust, he had done some things which destroyed his entire dynasty and friends. (SSB 1977, p.103)
Janmantara Karma - Qualities as Consequence Of Karma
Ravana knew all about good conduct and Dharma. What is the use of knowing what good conduct and Dharma are if it is not to put into practice?
It is not as if there are no good qualities in Ravana. When he was fully immersed in the thought of God, he was prepared to sacrifice even his entire body. He was truly a follower of Dharma and protector of Dharma. The bad qualities of Ravana did not come as natural qualities to Ravana. All the bad qualities and bad thoughts came to Ravana because of certain curse to which he was subjected at one time. For such a curse, his own Karma was responsible. The kind of work and Karma will determine the consequences. The kind of seed that we put in will determine the tree and the fruit that we can get out of it. Unknowingly and in some ignorance, we do some bad things. Whether we do such bad work knowingly or unknowingly, the consequences are inevitable. This is the nature of Karma. (SSB 1977, p.155-157)
Bad in us is symbolic of Ravana and Good in us is Rama.
In spite of listening to all and reading all that, is one’s conduct and mind have not changed even an inch, it simply means that stagnation is the result of our Janmantara Karma. Ravana had a guru called Shukracharya who acquired proficiency in all different kinds of action. His warriors and leaders of his army were very strong and proficient in the art of warfare. His wife was a good lady with good qualities. In spite of the fact that he had such good teaching from such a guru and a good wife and a strong army, he did not change his methods, and this simply means that it is the result of his own Janmantara Karma. He was living in utter foolishness. In his foolishness, he would not accept any advice from any one. This foolishness is something which is a great enemy of a human being. We must also remove this aspect of foolishness in us. On certain occasions, Ravana used to appear as a good Sattvika person and on the other occasions; he used to appear as an innocent person. Sometimes he used to appear as a great devotee. In reality, there is no one greater than him in the matter of wickedness. He would not hesitate to harm even his own wife or son. Vibhishana, his own brother, was a Sattvika person. Yet he showed no kindness to him. He simply drove him away. The wife of Vibhishana touched his feet of Ravana and begged him in many ways to save Vibhishana. This lady, who was the wife of his own brother, should be like his daughter, yet he gave so much trouble to her. The significance of all these things is that we should not simply think that Ravana was just a person with that name. The bad qualities and the cruel ideas that are in us are symbolic of the aspect of Ravana. The good in us is symbolic of Rama. It is only when we can get these two aspects confront each other and get Rama to defeat Ravana can we imagine that the coronation of Rama within us is possible and has taken place. (SSB 1977, p.163-164)
Ravana had fallen from the yogic heights he had reached in his previous lives and so, he was roaming about as a Rakshasa; really speaking, he was a great devotee of God. He was aware, deep within his consciousness of the Universal Absolute, named Narayana. He was not unaware of the fact that Rama was Narayana Himself come in human form in order to destroy all traces of demonic wickedness on earth. However, since there was no other route for him to reach Narayana, he had to cultivate wanton wickedness and violent hatred, and invite Rama to kill him; of course, this might be called a type of devotion that is stupid and infamous. But, his inner aim was to cross the ocean of Birth-death, through that act of self-abnegation and surrender to Narayana. (RKRV Part II, p.44)
Meanwhile, since his body and mind had grown out of Rakshasa urges and developed with the help of demonic sustenance, he ignored the Divine in him, which was calling for merger in the Divine Rama. He relied on his Rakshasa nature and awakened its sinister possibilities rose and sank alternately, moment after moment. So, he convinced himself at last that the two brothers were Royal Princes and no more; he resolved that he would kill them both and bring away the lady, of whom he was so enamoured. He promised his sister that he would avenge the injury inflicted on her in that manner. (RKRV Part II, p.44-45)
Beauty And Ravana’s Perception Of Beauty:
Beauty is related to the heart.
Once Ravana felt very angry. He could not control himself. He went to Lord Shiva and said, ‘O Lord, how biased you are! How narrow-minded you are! You endowed ladies with such beauty, charm and exquisiteness and created man like a shapeless log of wood. What is the reason for this? The Lord Shiva laughed and said ‘O madcap! You are drawing such comparisons only because you don’t know what beauty means. Tell me; where in women is elegance of peacock’s feather in peahen? Where is the grandeur of the humped back of bull, in the cow? Hearing this Ravana shut his mouth. Therefore, god bestows beauty where it is required and to those that require it. Beauty is related to the heart. If your heart is pure, you look beautiful in the eyes of all and give happiness to all. If your heart is impure, only profane things will attract you. (SSB 2002, p.206-208)
The Beauty of Nature is but a reflection of the Beauty that is God.
But, like all images, it is not substantial. Flowers fade, clouds scatter into new patterns, physical charm is but a flash that disappears in a moment - but, Divine Beauty is eternal, full, and free. That Sundaram is Satyam, unaffected by the passage of Time, unchanging with the location; that Sundaram is the real is Shivam, the only good that is. Pursuing paltry physical beauty leads man astray; it is as calamitous as the pursuit of trivial joy.
Shivam is Goodness; the Body is for realising Goodness, which is total goodness. But, the body is not itself goodness or goodness; it is an instrument giving weaker in the process. The father says proudly, my son is growing fast, but really, this life is ebbing fast. The body is valuable, only on account of its use in realising God. (SSS Vol.8, p.128)
RAVANA AND HIS BROTHERS – REPRESENT THE THREE GUNAS:
Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana are brothers. (DBG, p.212)
Ravana and Vibhishana, two brothers born of the same parents, had diametrically opposite natures because of the food they grew upon. Ravana relished Rajasika food while Vibhishana stuck to Sattvika. (SSS Vol.16, p.106)
Not only this, towards the end of his life. When he was threatening Sita, he told her that he will give her two months’ time and if in that period she would not change her mind, he would cut her head, cook and eat the flesh out of her head. Ravana was one who did not at all understand what food meant. His food consisted of un-sacred meat and drink. (SSB 1977, p.122)
The three gunas represented the three brothers of Ravana. The embodiment of Tamo guna is Kumbhakarna, of Rajo guna is Ravana and of Sattva guna is Vibhishana. These three gunas are brothers, but if you allow the first two into your heart, they will cause a lot of harm. When you enter the Kingdom of Liberation, you will have to remove Sattva guna also. (SSS Vol.17, p.151)
In the case of the Rakshasa brothers, Rama destroyed Kumbhakarna and Ravana who represented the Tamo guna and Rajo gunas, and made Vibhishana, who symbolised the Sattva guna, the ruler of Lanka. It is only when we destroy the Tamo and Rajo gunas within us we can make the Sattva guna reign in our hearts. This is primary duty of every human being. This should be our ideal. It is by imbibing these great qualities of Rama and regulating our lives in this way, we will be able to divine ourselves. (SSS Vol.23, p.47-48)
The preceptor for Rajo Guna is Ravana, the king of the demons. The preceptor for Tamo Guna is Kumbhakarna, the demon who slept most of the time. Vibhishana is the preceptor for the Sattva Guna; he was also of the family of demons, but he surrendered himself at the feet of Rama and chose the side of the good. All three, Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana are brothers. If you allow Ravana and Kumbhakarna into your heart, they will lead you into endless harm and grief. If you want to enter the kingdom of liberation, you must remove all three from your heart. All three belong to the same family and there is a brotherly relationship between them. That is why Vedanta has been teaching that you must transcend all three Gunas and offer them to Shiva, who will keep a watch on them with His three eyes and render them harmless with His three-forked trident.
What is the best way to remove the Gunas? If a thorn were to enter your foot, you need not take a big sharp knife to remove it; you just take another thorn and remove the first with the second. Once that has been accomplished, you throw away both thorns, without making any distinction between them. In that way, you have to remove the Tamo Guna with the help of the Rajo Guna. Then you have to remove the Rajo Guna with the help of the Sattva Guna. Finally, you give up, the Sattva Guna also. Before you can enter into the kingdom of God-realization, you have to cast out all three Gunas. If any Guna remains it will keep you out of this kingdom of liberation. (DBG, p.212)
After crossing the sea of Moha (infatuation), Rama encountered in Lanka the three brothers representing the three qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. He crowned Vibhishana of the serene temperament, King of Lanka, and destroyed Ravana and Kumbhakarna who symbolised Rajasika and Tamasika qualities. (SSS Vol.25, p.185)