Yours Astrologically, Ravana

A very Happy Dussehra to all !!

In RamacharitManas, Tulsidas states "Ramkatha ke miti jag nahi" i.e. there are innumerable stories of Rama (Ramkatha).

Well, everybody loves a good story.

One inspiring, and slightly unheard story goes like this.

After Rama fired the 'fatal' Bramha Astra arrow at Ravana, who collapsed, he told his brother Lakshmana

"Ravana, was our enemy but at the same time a great Scholar with unmatched knowledge. Go and request him to share whatever knowledge he can during these last moments."

Lakshmana went beside Ravana and requested him to do so. Ravana simply turned his head away from Lakshmana.

Seeing this Rama smiled, keeping his bow away, knelt at Ravana's feet. In all humility, with folded hands, he spoke to Ravana.

"Hey Lankeshwar, You are no more my enemy as I have meted out the share of punishment you deserved. But you are all knowledgeable and carry wisdom that can be useful to many many generations. Please share some of it with us."

On hearing this Ravana gently opened his eyes, greeted Rama and said

"Oh Rama, with all the knowledge and wisdom, I was never able to transcend my ego (Ahankara). At this moment, I wish to share many things with you. However, as I have very little time left with me, I will state the most important lesson I learnt in my life."

"We are all easily seduced by things that are bad for us. Take the case of me abducting Sita. On the other hand, we continuously delay and procrastinate things that are good for us, giving one excuse or the other. I hurriedly abducted Sita, but avoided meeting 'You' in person even once. Act Immediately on your good thoughts. Don't keep delaying them."

With these final words of wisdom, Ravana left the world, terming the coin 'Dus-hara' i.e. removal of ten bad qualities with us: