In the fifth chapter of Ravana samhita, he introduced vedic sages of sadashiva puja and sadhana method. It was Ravana who addressed Mahadev by the name of Shankar. The Shiva Tandav Stotram was composed by Ravan. By reciting this stotram one attains the lotus feet of Shiva.
We should not discuss the evil qualities of Ravana. However, we should look at the mistakes they made and learn from them.
Lord Shri Ram is inhabiting inside every human being in the form of dharma, truth, knowledge & humility. In the same way, Ravana is also alive in the form of ego, greed & lust. The symbol of truth lord Shri Ram has not killed Ravana who was a Mahapandit, supreme devotee, maha pratapi. He killed Ravana who was in the form unrighteous, vicious, greedy & arrogant.
Likewise, our inner Ravana is killed by Shri Ram in the form of truth, religion, knowledge & humility.
What do we learn from Ravana?
Lesson Learn from Ravana-1
Once I determined, I never think back. Even the fear of death cannot alienate a brave man from his decision. Ravana took many good and bad decisions in his life. However, he never backed down due to fear of misfortune & death.
He followed his legislation without worrying about the consequences. The Lord Shri Ram demolished every one of his knights & warriors. And even after knowing that he will die at the hands of Shri Ram, Ravan did not change his opinion. Ravana believed that after his death the world should be addressed him as a brave man.
Lesson Learn from Ravana-2
I don’t care what people will think about me today or tomorrow. Even God can’t satisfy people with a weak intellect. This notion of Ravana exposes a very complex aspect of our society. Ravana Said – for some people I am a god and a monster for some. People only know their selfishness. When they know you can fulfil their selfishness, then you are the god for them. And when you cannot fulfil their selfishness, then you become a demon for them.
This society runs on its own self-interest. This selfishness is the main reason that causes a deity, demons and humans to commit crimes. The person who can spend his life without selfishness is called Purushottam. Only Lord Shri Ram who has spent his life selflessly. And that’s why even today we address him by the name of “Purushottam”.
Lesson Learn from Ravana-3
O’ Mandodari, I know that my defeat today is certain. The boon given by great grand-father “Brahma” is hovering over me like a curse today. To get fame, one has to become like a god or like a demon. If you want to be good then be so good that Indra offers you his seat. And if you want to become bad then be so bad that Narayana incarnates himself to free you from your sins.
O’ Mandodari, Today I have become a symbol of wrongdoing. My pot has been filled with innumerable sins. I know that I did not recognize Narayana due to my ego. And I also know that he descended only for my destruction. But remember this, Ravana will never die. Even after the death, Ravana will remain immortal forever. As long as the name Shri Ram remains. Ravana will also remain. Ravana will always remain immortal.
Lesson Learn from Ravana-4
When Ravana’s army was damaged by Lord Shri Rama’s “Vanara Sena”. Just then, Ravana woke Kumbhakarna to save Lanka from this destruction. But, listening to the iniquitous activities of his elder brother Ravana, Kumbhakarna holds him responsible for the destruction of all Lanka and also warned him of the impending defeat. O’ Kumbhakarna. When a cloud of destruction surrounds Lanka from all sides, you don’t try to teach me what is right and what is inappropriate. Yes! I kidnapped Sita under the control of my lust and today she is going to be the cause of my death. Yes! I made a mistake in identifying Narayana and today just because of him, I have lost my countless brave warriors. Yes! Due to my arrogance, I turned down Shri Rama’s peace proposal and today my golden Lanka has become a crematorium. But Wiseman never mourns for the past. Karma yogis never worry about the future. Those who live at this time and in this moment, he is called Mahatma. When the war has started it will have to end with my death. This is the article of destiny and Ravana will accept it as laughing. So that history does not consider me as skittish or coward.
Lesson Learn from Ravana-5
Before going to the final war Ravana administered the Mahakaal Aarti. But during the aarti the bad omen occurred, and Ravana said to Mahakaal Maheshwar. O’ Mahakaal, O’ God, O’ Shankar. You cannot frighten Ravana today through these bad omens. Did you think that I, your supreme devotee Dasanan Ravana will be afraid of these absurd omens and stopping the war? I will surrender at the feet of Rama. No! Ravana will die but will never bow down. Those who live by selling their pride, die every day like an insect. Who live in pity for mercy. Life keeps them like that forever.
In this war, my own relatives, brothers, sons, grandchildren and many other people have sacrificed their lives. Today, if I surrender myself to Rama for the fear of my death then the sacrifices of my family and the heroes of Lanka will go in vain. And just like the Vibhishan history will recall me as a coward. O’ Shiva Shambhu, O’ Shankar, O’ Bholenath. Ravana will never bow down. Even if I die in this war, I will accept it as your offering.
Today’s society will see only the ego of Ravana in these prolines. But Ravana was also a Brahmin, a prolific Shiva devotee, a great scholar, and a vedicist. He always knew that one never gets success from sinful deeds and he also knew that Narayana himself has emerged as Shri Rama to free him from these sins.
Today we can see many evil Ravanas in this civilized society. However, no one else will be found like Mahapandit, Mahashiva bhakta and the great grandson of Brahmadev, “the Ravana”
In the Ramayana composed by Maharishi Valmiki we get more than 100 prolines of Ravana. Some of these are good ideas and some reflect the ego of Ravana.
