RAVANA, THE WISEST AMONG THE WISE - HE WHO PLOTTED HIS OWN DEATH

A major Sanskrit epic, the Ramayana is regarded as a scripture of the allegorical lessons in righteous living integral to the many Hindus from the Indian subcontinent and beyond. The Ramayana is a story about the Ayodhya Prince Rama, who defeats the Lanka King Ravana to free his kidnapped wife, Sita, with the aid of an army of sophisticated and knowledgeable monkeys. The most common tradition regards Rama as the god Visnu’s human avatar and Ravana as a monster king of demons. However, Ravana has set an example for future generations as he followed his dharma, or morals, until the very end! 

Ravana mastered sixty-four forms of knowledge ranging from the holy books of Brahmins such as the Vedas to arts and ways of Ksatriyas, including archery. Although he was arrogant and aggressive, his arduous asceticism and austere penances brought him two boons from two of three primary gods. Brahma allowed him to become invulnerable to the wrath of any god/Devas, and Shiva granted him indestructibility from all powers excluding humans in Heaven/Earth. These powers fueled his arrogance and aggressiveness, the result which eventually led to his demise.

As a brother, Ravana supported his family. He indirectly defended his sister, Soorpnakha, who was insulted by Rama and Lakshmana, in so much as to wage war with full combat. Moreover, Ravana respected Vibhisna’s (his brother’s) decision to join the opposing forces even though he knew that would give a grand advantage to his enemy. Once the battle ensued, Vibhisna helped Rama in many important ways (ex. sending spies to Lanka, educating Rama of the prowess of the demon Prahastha, and destroying many demons in battle). Even so, Ravana didn’t try to prevent him from joining nor imprisoned him for going against his orders—king’s orders.

Most importantly, Ravana fulfilled his duty as Brahmin to the last bit, which is best exemplified when Rama wanted to install Shiva lingam to win Shiva’s favor when fighting to win against Ravana. With no other priest nearby, Rama accepts Ravana as his guru, leading Ravana to observe all rites meticulously and dutifully chants Rama’s intent in establishing the lingam in order to slay Ravana, himself, in battle.

Furthermore, there are many instances where Ravana didn’t fully employ his demonic behavior. For instance, once kidnapped, he never touched Sita because he was never able to get her approval. He never physically/emotionally hurt her like Rama and Lakshmana did to Soorpnakha. Once within Lanka, he had all the power to easily have taken advantage of her. Instead, already knowing that Sita was renowned for being the most dharmic woman on the earth, which also meant that she would be the last woman to give approval for his touch, Ravana gave her time to mourn in hopes of changing her decis.

It is believed that to die from the hand of God is to find a place in heaven. Ravana, one of the wisest man in the history, plotted his own death from the hand of the God Rama, the avatara of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the lokas. Lord Rama too, knowing the profundity of knowledge in Ravana, ordered his brother Laxamana to seek Ravan's wisdom and later when Laxman did not know the proper way, Rama himself sought the knowledge.