It is very interesting to see what Raama thought of Raavana.
When Raavana was killed, Vibheeshana started lamenting seeing his brother’s body fallen on the ground. Raama spoke:
“Raavana fought like a true warrior and fell fighting like a hero! Death has washed his sins. It calls for no mourning. Raavana has entered Heaven.”
Raama cleared all confusion from Vibheeshana’s mind and made him do the funeral rites for his departed brother.
Said Raama: “It is for you now, his brother, to do the rites. Death ends all enmity. I, his former foe, even I can rightly perform his obsequies. Your brother is my brother too, is he not?”
(C. Rajgopalachari; Ramayana; Ch LXXIII; End of Raavana; P462-63)
If we go back in time, in the initial stage of the war, once Raama had left Raavana unhurt. Here is the episode:
Then Raama, riding on Hanumaan’s shoulders, gave battle to Raavana. The Raakshasa king was sorely wounded. His golden crown was broken. So was his chariot. Deprived of every weapon, he stood before Raama.
“You may go now,” said Raama. “You have fought well today. Go away and rest and come back tomorrow, refreshed and with weapons.” And Raavana retreated shamefacedly to the city.
(C. Rajgopalachari; Ramayana; Ch LXX; Raavana’s Defeat; P442)
What comes clear from these incidents apart from the many other virtues of Raama; is also the fact that Raam held high views of the good part of Raavana’s character. This is right; because none is all evil as none is all good. Therefore if Rama appreciated and respected Ravana as a warrior; he only elevates his own position in our minds and hearts…
- Rahul
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