RAVANA DELUSION
Written by
Brij Sachdeva
Every year, in the days around Dussehra, several media files and messages become viral about Ravana's goodness in the sense that he did not violate the chastity of Sita. People are forwarding such files without giving any consideration to their common sense or the very thing they have in their skulls. Ravana was under the spell of a curse that prevented him from doing such a kind of harm to Sita. In the epic Ramayana, Rambha is violated by Ravana, who is thereby cursed that if he violates another woman again, his head will burst. This curse protects the chastity of Sita when she is kidnapped by Ravana. It is crucial to remember that Ravana’s stand was largely driven by a curse rather than any inherent goodness.
Religions have their own ways to convey their message of humanity to the masses. If any religion promotes humanity and compassion among individuals, then I don't see any point in seeking to reject the very wisdom of it. Humanity should always take precedence. After all, what is the essence of religion? What purpose does it serve if not to foster human welfare? It is difficult to grasp it in any other light than humanity. This is something to be understood. A portrayal that is unnuanced, simplistic, or black-and-white fails to capture the subtlety, complexity, and depth that a more nuanced representation would provide. A black-and-white perspective presents a situation as having only two sides, leaving no space for grey areas or variations of opinion. Before forming an opinion on a prevalent narrative or commonly held belief, it is essential to consider a nuanced portrayal rather than simply adhering to a black-and-white view.
The Ramayana and Mahabharata are filled with a multitude of boons and curses, featuring numerous digressions that showcase various stories intertwined with the main narrative. Each digression often reveals yet another story, leading readers on a journey far from the primary plot before returning to it later. To form an opinion or make a statement about a fact mentioned in these epics, one must delve deeper into these digressions. However, as you explore these layers of stories, which can number in the thousands, you may find yourself overwhelmed with confusion, causing your questions to dissolve and making it difficult to assert a clear viewpoint. This method has also been employed by various saints and sages to reach a meditative state or a "no-mind" state, which is regarded as a divine phenomenon. This timeless wisdom has been imparted by enlightened masters across the ages.
When your questions dissolve and you attain a mind free of thoughts, the mind becomes your servant and you become its master. In Shloka 6 of Chapter 6 in the Bhagawad Gita, Shri Krishna has imparted the wisdom that:
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जित: |
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत् ||
bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ anātmanas tu śhatrutve vartetātmaiva śhatru-
In this Shloka, Shri Krishna says that the mind is the best friend of one who has conquered it but the mind is the greatest enemy of one who has not conquered it.
If you go through these scriptures superficially, your mind will become balanced and you will attain a fulfilled, successful life. However, if you dive deep into the vast and profound digressions featuring a series of boons and curses, your questions will dissolve and you will reach a state of no-mind which ultimately leads to spiritual liberation.
PS: In my blog post ‘TO REFUTE IS EASY’ in this blog (Brij Sachdeva Blog), I have explained how people are in the habit of finding contradictions in everything.
Read in Hindi
Comments
Post a Comment
Brij Sachdeva