Day 40 - Ravana's Secrets Revealed

I have always been intrigued by Ravana - the biggest villain of Indian mythology. Ravana's portrayal in almost all forms of visual manner have always been that of a loud mouth, angry, ferocious, dangerous laughter kind of a person who is a no-good evil man out to destroy the world.

But is Ravana really that? The one thing that got me thinking was when I heard the story of Hanuman burning Lanka and it was always 'सोने की लंका' (Lanka of Gold). I used to think that if Ravana really was that bad how come his kingdom had so many riches. How could the entire kingdom be of Gold and the people happy if he was a bad king? If he wasn't then why did he do what he did? Why after kidnapping Sita did he not marry her forcefully when he had a harem to show that he could? Why is he depicted with having 10 heads and 20 arms? Why was his navel the source of his life? And finally why did Lord Ram insist that Laxman get a training about governance from Ravana?

So over the years, I started collecting lit tidbits here and there about Ravana to answer my questions. The one thing that really helped to some extent was Zee TV's serial on Ravana.

But here is what I learnt and actually started to respect Ravana more. There are things that I was aware of and some things that I learnt new and was startled to read it.

Ravan was a stout devotee of God Shiva, a scholar, a capable ruler and an expert Veena player. He was Kuber's (God of wealth) brother, grandson of Pulastya (one of the six human sons of God Brahma - the creator). Under his father's tutelage he mastered the Vedas, the holy books and the art of Kshatriya's (warriors). He was the ruler of all the netherworlds ruling over all asuras and captured many human kingdoms as well. In Lanka, however, he was an astute and kind ruler to an extent that even the poorest house had vessels of gold to eat from and hunger was unknown in his kingdom.

Why could he not take Sita forcefully as his wife?
The story goes that he got his eyes set on the apsara Rambha who was betrothed to his brother Kubera's son. Even her plea that she was like a daughter to him was not enough to deter him. Angered at that Kubera's son cursed him that if he tried to take any woman forcefully all his ten heads would roll off. That is what is supposed to have protected Sita's chastity.

Why is his life in his navel?
Ravan performed an intense penance to God Brahma. Please by that God Brahma appeared in front of him as granted him one boon to which Ravana asked for immortality. Brahma could not give him that but gave him the celestial nectar of immortality which he stored under his navel. This is the secret and he could not be vanquished until the nectar was dried out. Vibhishan knew that and pointed it out to Lord Rama. (though the question is why didn't Lord Rama - an avatar of Vishnu and boss of Brahma know that. Possibly Brahma didn't tell his boss?)

Why is he depicted as having ten heads and twenty arms?
There are many stories to that. One story goes that when he was trying to get into the good books of God Shiva, after angering him in trying to lift Mount Kailash, he cut his head and put it at the feet of God Shiva (interestingly this was after he had stored the nectar in his navel so he knew that he wouldn't die anyway - cheeky, I say). God Shiva restored his head to which he did the same thing nine times and that's how he got ten heads. It is also said that through his various penances and skills he was, as a single person, equal to someone with the intellect and strength of ten people - he was ten people in one body and hence the description. The serial on Zee TV talks abut an illusion that is the ten heads. Ravana's father was the great sage Visharava who was also a great inventor. Once as a kid Ravana happened to peep inside his father's hut and saw his father with ten heads. Although being afraid, curiosity got the better of him and he realised that his father had invented a necklace which when worn reflected light and made an illusion of ten heads. Ravana was shrewd and realised the potential of this simple illusion and when he went to battle he would wear the necklace and strike fear in the minds of his opponents.

There are many interpretations of Ravana's ten heads but the one that I think is the best is that each of Ravan's heads stands for one sin:

1. Kama vasana (Lust)
2. Krodha (Anger)
3. Moha (delusoion)
4. Lobha (Greed)
5. Mada (Over Pride)
6. Matsara (Jealousy)
7. Manas (Mind)
8. Buddhi (Intellect)
9. Chitta (will)
10. Ahankara (Ego).

In the end though, Ravana will always be remembered as a villain because of his one mistake of kidnapping the wife of an upstanding leader and then letting ego and pride come in the way to fight Ram all the way losing his family, his friends and his name in the process.

This is what we should learn from the story of Ravana - it takes a long time to build your reputation but a simple inglorious act can destroy it. At the same time, it is never too late to admit one's fault and ego and pride should never come in the way of humility and truth!