With A Sinister Side

(Ravana indeed was both a sage and a sinner)

Known as an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, a master scholar and a musician, but a perpetrator of several sins, Ravan was much more of a complex character. His twin nature was produced from his parentage, as he was born to the sage Visrava and the demoness princess Kaikesi, inheriting both wisdom and dangerous ambition. Considering his life which was marked by vast spiritual knowledge and great devotion, his crimes including the abduction of Sita, acts of arrogance and lust, led to his ultimate descent. His story about power with no control, ultimately, is a cautionary tale. 

It would be interesting to watch the portrayal of Ravan by the south superstar Yash, in the upcoming grand level movie ‘Ramayan’ being directed by Nitesh Tiwari. It is to be released in two parts, first during Diwali 2026 and the second one in 2027 Diwali. Actor Yash is very excited to pull off this iconic mythological role on the silver screen and considers Ravan as his favorite character in the epic. Hopefully, he lives up to the audience’s expectations.

Qualities of a sage –

• Scholarly prowess: Ravan wasn’t an ordinary scholar, but deeply learned in all the four Vedas, Tantra, and other scriptures. He wrote many significant texts, including the ‘Ravan Samhita’.

• Dedication to Shiva: He had a deep respect and love for Lord Shiva, and it is said he composed the ‘Shiva Tandava Stotram’ out of profound devotion. 

• Family lineage: The grandson of the great sage Pulastya, he was born with a Brahmin lineage. Thus, he inherited the sage-like traits from his father Visrava.

• Philosophical Knowledge: Ravan had a vast degree of knowledge. At the time of his death he even provided his wisdom to Lakshman, at the behest of the latter’s elder brother Lord Ram. Apart from this, he was a very powerful ruler and administrator, with the knowledge of occult subjects and warfare.

According to a legendary tale, he even conducted ‘Yagya’ for Lord Ram at the Indian shore before the war. He brought in his kidnapped wife Sita through the ‘Pushpak Viman’, to let her sit beside her husband during the ritual. After the ritual, as a ‘Pandit’, Ravan blessed Ram for his endeavor and took back Sita with utmost respect. 

At Lanka, throughout her custody under him, Sita was untouched by Ravan, as he was cursed by the wife of a demigod that he would be burned alive if he destroyed the modesty of another woman. And Sita happened to be the next woman captured right after her.

Qualities of a sinner –

• Lust and kidnapping: His lust for women, including the abduction of Sita, are considered his most significant sins, which turned his life from potentially great to one of disaster and a war with Lord Ram.

• Showing disrespect: He used to disrespect and humiliate demigods, sages, and their wives, and also ruin their sacred places, causing terrible destruction.  

• Ego and arrogance: His biggest flaw was his arrogance, which led him to disobey his own wife Mandodiri and brother Vibhishana, when they tried their best to convince him to release Sita and make amends with Ram. But he believed he was right, preventing him from overcoming his vices. 

• His other sins: He was associated with violence and even cannibalism in some accounts, also known for drinking alcohol and disrupting religious practices and sacrifices.

Ravan possessed tremendous knowledge, skills, and power, but there was an absence of the essential compassion and humility in him, to execute them correctly.

Lessons to learn on Dussehra –

Ravan thought of himself to be a scholar, with high wisdom, having remarkable strength, and above all to be invincible. These egoistic beliefs were responsible for his downfall. Hence, it’s not the immense knowledge or family lineage/legacy, but our good actions that develop our noble characters. Well, we all humans have some amount of good and bad qualities, and it’s up to us to suppress or get rid of the bad traits and let the good qualities outshine. On the occasion of Dussehra, as we put on fire the huge effigy of Ravan with firecrackers, we too must burn all our negativities to eliminate evil Ravan within.

-Shashi Thakur