The story of a Man, who was made a Villain by a Single Story.
Pre Amble:
The danger of a single story exists. It is dangerous because it has power. Power to influence – Perceptions – Beliefs – Behavior and even Faith. Influence to cast the wronged person as the wrong person.
Background:
Ravan, the Man, was a devout disciple of Lord Shiva, an avid Learner, a Musician and an accomplished warrior. When he played the veena..the birds joined in chorus
Ravana, the King, was an admired king. Who understood. Listened and cared for his people and respected their dignity. The well being of his subjects was the subject of most of his silent contemplations, which he got into many times
There was abundance and joy all around and the people rejoiced in the peace and safety that was their king’s top priority.
The Episode:
The huge garden, behind the king Palace… was lush and peaceful. Froth with the gentle evening breeze. The deep green grass…taking on a warm tone..glistened in the rays of the setting sun… The huge trees surrounding the garden..bore witness to the solitude..swayed gently..rocking the many young birds nesting in their arms…allowing the stray rays of the sun to paly peek-a-boo with them.
The air, filled with the sweet fragrance of multitude flowers and humming of grasshoppers… and the cacophony of birds returning happily to their homes. Punctuated by an occasional chime of the far away temple bells…and the steady deep rhythm of Ravan chanting…”Om Namah Shiva”… “Om Namaha Shiva”
Ravan, Sitting in deep meditation, under his favorite Banyan tree, oblivious to the yellow butterfly flitting gently on his shoulder.
Suddenly, the tranquility is pierced..mercilessly …by the soul shattering ..shrill scream of Suparnakha, Ravana’s baby sister…
Brutally pulled out of his reverie, Ravana is stunned …as he watches his sister soaked in her blood..covering her face and screaming his name…”dada” (Big Brother)…running towards him…
After what seems like and eternity..she comes and collapses in her brother’s arms..and wails. The wails that would wake the dead. Her Hot tears mixed with her cold blood are all over Ravana, and the once pristine white dhoti , that Ravan Always wore..is now screaming red.
Amidst the sobs..Ravans manages to pull away the hands that are still covering his sisters face…a face that he knows so well…he is the reason for so many of it’s laughter lines…reluctantly as Suparnakha..lets her face be seen… Ravana inspite of himself recoils at the sight… His sisters nose, ears and breasts have been chopped off..and the anger now mixed with disbelief and pain..washes over him ..and he wails and takes his sister in his large arms…and cries with her., gently rocking her back and forth….the shame..the humiliation..the pain…is all the world has come to , at that moment…
Getting his bearing …when Ravana manages to ask her the Silent question..”Who did this and Why?”… Suparnakha…now also fearful..of the consequence…manages to tell him, it was Laxmana who did it, on the orders, of Rama, to whom..Suparnakha has confessed her foolish love.
Hurt..and disbelief...standing still!!
Ravana..shaking with rage ..hurt and justified revenge…Gets up with a roar…after asking the palace maid to take Suparnakha away ..he is finally able to find his voice…
The dilemma that faces him is huge.. Should he just go ahead and kill Laxmana and Sita with the same, or maybe more brutality…so that Ram knows the pain??..should he wage a war on Ayodhya??..and them know that he is not a people who will take injustices lying down..What should he do??? …This is not just a humiliation of his sister ..but also an insult to his people…what is he do as a Brother..what is he to do as a king???..yes an eye for an eye…ear for an ear.. that is justice!!!
But….
What will it result into??.... More Blood…more innocent people dying..more families ..brothers..sister ..crying for their loved one..just like he was crying for his sister…No This will lead to an avalanche of revenges..and the streets and history of Lanka..and Ayodhya will be smeared by blood forever…… More Blood cannot be the answer….
There are already many people fighting and dying in battles that are not theirs ..all over the world…..Revenge cannot bring peace….for anyone… ever.
War does not discriminate. Nobody wins in a war.
So..then should he just sit here and do nothing??What kind of a brother will he be.. What kind of a king??? No he can’t do Nothing….
He can almost hear the echoes of his people asking for Justice…Justice…Justice….
The Mighty Ravana…is Silent…in his quiet moment of seeking divine wisdom.. listening to his inner voice…..
After what seems like an Eternity....
He looks up. His mind is made up..his heart quietened..his eye steady once again….
He realizes, Ram has to repent his wrongdoing..so that forgiveness can happen…so that healing can happen..so that Justice is served…so that peace prevails..
The answer…Sita.
(Ravan..came up with this though..knowing fully well that he himself cannot ever touch sita, and for all the duration that she was in his captivity..she was given a royal treatment..and Ravan made sure that Sita purity was not even touched by his shadow.
He treated her as any lady should be treated..with respect.)
Pre Amble:
The danger of a single story exists. It is dangerous because it has power. Power to influence – Perceptions – Beliefs – Behavior and even Faith. Influence to cast the wronged person as the wrong person.
Background:
Ravan, the Man, was a devout disciple of Lord Shiva, an avid Learner, a Musician and an accomplished warrior. When he played the veena..the birds joined in chorus
Ravana, the King, was an admired king. Who understood. Listened and cared for his people and respected their dignity. The well being of his subjects was the subject of most of his silent contemplations, which he got into many times
There was abundance and joy all around and the people rejoiced in the peace and safety that was their king’s top priority.
The Episode:
The huge garden, behind the king Palace… was lush and peaceful. Froth with the gentle evening breeze. The deep green grass…taking on a warm tone..glistened in the rays of the setting sun… The huge trees surrounding the garden..bore witness to the solitude..swayed gently..rocking the many young birds nesting in their arms…allowing the stray rays of the sun to paly peek-a-boo with them.
The air, filled with the sweet fragrance of multitude flowers and humming of grasshoppers… and the cacophony of birds returning happily to their homes. Punctuated by an occasional chime of the far away temple bells…and the steady deep rhythm of Ravan chanting…”Om Namah Shiva”… “Om Namaha Shiva”
Ravan, Sitting in deep meditation, under his favorite Banyan tree, oblivious to the yellow butterfly flitting gently on his shoulder.
Suddenly, the tranquility is pierced..mercilessly …by the soul shattering ..shrill scream of Suparnakha, Ravana’s baby sister…
Brutally pulled out of his reverie, Ravana is stunned …as he watches his sister soaked in her blood..covering her face and screaming his name…”dada” (Big Brother)…running towards him…
After what seems like and eternity..she comes and collapses in her brother’s arms..and wails. The wails that would wake the dead. Her Hot tears mixed with her cold blood are all over Ravana, and the once pristine white dhoti , that Ravan Always wore..is now screaming red.
Amidst the sobs..Ravans manages to pull away the hands that are still covering his sisters face…a face that he knows so well…he is the reason for so many of it’s laughter lines…reluctantly as Suparnakha..lets her face be seen… Ravana inspite of himself recoils at the sight… His sisters nose, ears and breasts have been chopped off..and the anger now mixed with disbelief and pain..washes over him ..and he wails and takes his sister in his large arms…and cries with her., gently rocking her back and forth….the shame..the humiliation..the pain…is all the world has come to , at that moment…
Getting his bearing …when Ravana manages to ask her the Silent question..”Who did this and Why?”… Suparnakha…now also fearful..of the consequence…manages to tell him, it was Laxmana who did it, on the orders, of Rama, to whom..Suparnakha has confessed her foolish love.
Hurt..and disbelief...standing still!!
Ravana..shaking with rage ..hurt and justified revenge…Gets up with a roar…after asking the palace maid to take Suparnakha away ..he is finally able to find his voice…
The dilemma that faces him is huge.. Should he just go ahead and kill Laxmana and Sita with the same, or maybe more brutality…so that Ram knows the pain??..should he wage a war on Ayodhya??..and them know that he is not a people who will take injustices lying down..What should he do??? …This is not just a humiliation of his sister ..but also an insult to his people…what is he do as a Brother..what is he to do as a king???..yes an eye for an eye…ear for an ear.. that is justice!!!
But….
What will it result into??.... More Blood…more innocent people dying..more families ..brothers..sister ..crying for their loved one..just like he was crying for his sister…No This will lead to an avalanche of revenges..and the streets and history of Lanka..and Ayodhya will be smeared by blood forever…… More Blood cannot be the answer….
There are already many people fighting and dying in battles that are not theirs ..all over the world…..Revenge cannot bring peace….for anyone… ever.
War does not discriminate. Nobody wins in a war.
So..then should he just sit here and do nothing??What kind of a brother will he be.. What kind of a king??? No he can’t do Nothing….
He can almost hear the echoes of his people asking for Justice…Justice…Justice….
The Mighty Ravana…is Silent…in his quiet moment of seeking divine wisdom.. listening to his inner voice…..
After what seems like an Eternity....
He looks up. His mind is made up..his heart quietened..his eye steady once again….
He realizes, Ram has to repent his wrongdoing..so that forgiveness can happen…so that healing can happen..so that Justice is served…so that peace prevails..
The answer…Sita.
(Ravan..came up with this though..knowing fully well that he himself cannot ever touch sita, and for all the duration that she was in his captivity..she was given a royal treatment..and Ravan made sure that Sita purity was not even touched by his shadow.
He treated her as any lady should be treated..with respect.)
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