Our children don’t spend that much time in streets now days. we used to start playing with crackers many weeks before Diwali in our childhood. We have numerous fond memories of Ravana.
As of late, in the year 2007, the idea of whether Lord Rama exists or not has been called into question, by no less than some of the politicians in India. So it is a wonder , how such stupd persons can be accepted as leaders of the people of India , who should be concerned with preserving and protecting the culture of the country.
Why is there not more archaeological evidence that points towards Rama’s existence? Because, Such an effort has never been made in India, by our past generation. Systematic excavations have never been carried out.
Same is the case with today’s generation. It is very easy to criticize and say anything in the name of the freedom. The generation before us did not had much time to teach us the spiritual legacy of India as they were just coming out of the strict rules of families after many decades. A new found freedom has refreshing for them.
I read stupid remarks by youngsters and Uncles alike on various forums discussing Ravana , Sita and Rama on absurd things. It shows the lack of knowledge and no spiritual mindset.
Most of the educated persons in India are not aware that there were more than 10000 books written by western writers in past three centuries over India, Indian Philoshophy, Gita , Vaishnava Sect, Ramayana , Mahabharta , Vedas, etc. It is very easy to say anything about western culture, but they have done more research on our culture than Indians.
This article is an Endeavour with genuine intention to make aware myself, my generation and the next generation by doing research of real facts.
Who was Ravana ? Why Ravana kidnapped Sita ? Is there any synergy of Rama , Krishna , Vishnu and so many avatars of Vishnu?
I had a chance to read few pages of few Indian and western Books
Srimad Bhagwatam
Rama’s Story in Shiva’s City, Philip Lutgendorf, California University;
The Boundaries of Traditional Ramayana and Mahabharata Performances in South and Southeast Asia by Joe Burkhalter Flueckiger and Laurie Sears in, University of Michigan,
Ramayan Traditions in Eastern India, Ann Arbor; W. L. Smith on University of Stockholm,
FOOTPRINTS OF LORD RAMA ON THE SANDS OF TIME By Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan .
“Jahan jahan Ram chalee jahan by Dr. Ram Avatar ji
Ram Charit Manas by Goswami Tulasidas.
‘Eleven Years in Ceylon” by Major Forbes.
Origin of Ravana
Ravana and his brother, Kumbhakarna were reincarnations of Jaya and Vijaya, gatekeepers at Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu .
Fault of Ravana
Both were cursed to be born in Earth for their insolence. These gatekeepers refused entry to the Sanatha Kumara monks, who, because of their powers and austerity appeared as young children. For their insolence, the monks cursed them to be expelled from Vaikuntha and to be born on Earth.
After the curse, Lord Vishnu agreed that they should be punished. They were given two choices, that either they could be born Seven times as normal mortals and devotees of Vishnu, or three times as powerful and strong people, but as enemies of Vishnu. Eager to be back with the Lord, they choose the latter one.
First Birth as Hiranyakashipu (Killed by Lord Narasimha)
The curse of first birth was fulfilled by Hiranyakashipu and his brother Hiranyaksha in Satya Yuga when they were both vanquished by earlier avatars of Vishnu (Hiranyaksha by Varaha and Hiranyakashipu by Narasimha). This is the famous story of Prahlada Maharaja.
Second Birth as Ravana ( Kileld by Lord Rama)
Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna were born to fulfill the curse on the second birth as enemies of Vishnu in the Treta Yuga. This is the famous Story of Ramayana.
Third Birth as Dantavakra (Killed by Lord Krishna)
The curse of third birth was fulfilled by Dantavakra and Shishupala in the Dwapar Yuga when they both were killed by lord Krishna, the eighth avatar.
Ravana’s Siblings
Ravana had six brothers and two sisters. Famous five are as follow
- Kubera – the King of North direction and the Guardian of Heavenly Wealth. He was an older half-brother of Ravana: they were born to the same father by different mothers.
- Vibhishana – A great follower of Rama and one of the most important characters in the Ramayana. As a minister and brother of Ravana, he spoke the Truth without fear and advised Ravana to return the kidnapped Sita and uphold Dharma.
- Kumbhakarna – One of the most jovial demons in Hindu history. When offered a boon by Brahma, he was tricked into asking for eternal sleep! A horrified Ravana, out of brotherly love, persuaded Brahma to amend the boon. Brahma mitigated the power of the boon by making Kumbhakarna sleep for six months and being awake for rest six months of a year .
- Ahiravan – King of the Underworld ruled by the rakshasas by Ravana and Demon King Maya.
- Surpanakha – The sister of Ravana. She was the ultimate root of the kidnapping of Sita. She was the one who instigated her brothers to wage a war against Rama.
Kidnapping Sita was the only crime, Ravana could have done to invite the wrath of Lord Rama. He was killed by Rama for the worldly crime and got away from second birth from this loka.
Actually speaking, Sita was never kidnapped. It is impossible for any power in this world to touch adi shakti. Rāvaṇa wanted to take away Sītā, but that was impossible, and instead he took away a māyā Sītā.
We will talk about more secrets in next article