Ravana's Realizations...

The Ramayana, an epic tale of good vs evil, is an amazingly written holy scripture. I am especially impressed by the complexity of it's characters and their motivations. Think about it and the characters seem more grey than black & white. Any story is as good as it's antagonist and you'd all agree with me when I say that Ravana is the most impressively layered character in the Ramayana. Half Brahaman, half Raakshas, a stoic devotee of Shiv Ji, Ravana's life evolves from that of a yogi to that of a man seeking revenge. And add to that his ten heads, which is a metaphor for intelligence or power, I presume, and you have a winner in all aspects.

The first time I read the Ramayana, I perceived it as anyone would. Black and white. Good vs Evil. But as I grew up, I started seeing the characters in a whole different light. Once you start weighing the actions of each character against today's sensibilities, your perception evolves. For example, once you really think about Ravana's actions, you start seeing his rationale. Why did he abduct Sita? He was avenging his sister's mutilation and also his insult. While the latter is indicative of vanity, the former is but a natural reaction for a brother. 

Ravana is self-righteous, like any of us. This is something the epic got right about villains. Unlike Hindi movies where the villains believe they are villainous, in real life and in the Ramayana, the "bad guy" thinks he's doing the right thing. It's actually a commentary on life itself. I recently realized that more often than not, while doing something that was right for me, I was hurting someone else, thus becoming the "bad guy" in their story.  Give it some thought and you will see that you are a villain in more stories than you're a hero in.

And then you weigh the actions of the ideal man, Lord Ram against that of Ravana. While Ravana lets Sita live untouched in Ashok Vatika, Lord Rama questions her "purity". Before anything else, this goes dead against the concept of feminism. But even if we overlook that, where's the trust, bro? Here you see the nuance in the narrative: the hero is doing something questionable whereas the villain shows a stark strength of character and honor. 

Also, let's go back to where it all started. Why did Laxman have to cut off Shurpnakha's nose? All she did was come on to him and was thwarted back with insults on her looks. Body shaming alert! Her attacking Sita in a state of humiliation is kind of justified, isn't it? What isn't justified is the extreme reaction and humiliation at the hands of the princes.

At this point, let me introduce another angle to the tale. Caste & color. It's safe to assume that the creed of Rakshas, Brahman, Kshatriya, etc had a lot to do with the color of the skin. So imagine a Tamil king, who's well read, well travelled but is called a rakshas because he has dark skin. He is bound to harbour anger at this. Also Valmiki describes Shurpnakha as "pot-bellied & cross eyed" and that's why Laxman told her that she "wasn't what he desired in a wife". While everyone is entitled to their free wills, can't this be construed as discrimination by Shurpnakha? 

The last act of the epic beautifully tells the story of how Ravana's pride broke down. How he realized that he was beaten. Self realization, such an amazing concept. In his mind, he is finally able to empathize with the people who suffered because of his actions. Another depiction of his superior intellect. Being able to discern the wrong in one's own actions is next to impossible for ordinary men, but Ravana wasn't ordinary, was he? Even in death, he possesses more strength of character than most.

In my musings about the holy book, I might have written some things that might not sit well with the more fanatically inclined populace, but I'd like to point out that I am inconsequential to the bigger scheme of things. And the real reason for me to look at Ramayana the way I do is to draw a comparison between the actions of Ravana and that of my own, and in the process, absolve myself of the guilt that I have over my actions that have hurt others. I am not trying to say that I am great, I am just trying to point out that even such a learned scholar like Ravana ended up hurting people, I'm but human. In my pursuit of happiness, I often choose certain paths that lead to hurt and pain for others.

Now ask yourself this? Should Ravana have behaved differently? Consider all the circumstances. He behaved the way he believed was right and he ultimately accepted the consequences. It's the same with me. Many of my actions are driven by what I believe is good for me. While I can't please everyone, I try to do right by the people that matter. But I can't do right at the expense of my own happiness. So I am bound to be a villain in some of the stories and I am okay with that.