Week Three Storytelling: Ravana's Redemption

         All the festivities were arranged for Ravana’s funeral. Many people, including Rama’s brother Lakshama, wondered if this was appropriate for Ravana. He humbly asked his brother, “Do you really think this is all necessary for the demon who captured your wife and killed many of your friends? His lust is incorrigible. His greed cannot be satiated. He lived for death and destruction, and his own arrogance brought him to his demise. Plenty of extremely wise counselors told him that you were not to be trifled with, and that it was a mistake to underestimate your might. He was regaled of tales of how you broke Shiva’s bow. He heard of you sending a single arrow through the trunks of seven robust trees. He had knowledge of you giving up your throne to fulfill your father’s ancient promise, and also of you killing Vali, who was thought to be indestructible. Do you know what Vibishana told us Ravana’s response was? Ravana responded, “Why are you lost in such admiration for Rama? Because he snapped the old rusty bow of Shiva? Or sent his arrows through the trunks of those seven decaying trees? Lost his kingdom because of a hunchbacked woman? Killed Vali without daring to come up before him? Lost his wife through a very simple trick that I tried? I am astonished that after all this he has not taken his own life but continues to breathe and move about! An indeed you are his admirer” Sire, I cannot allow myself to celebrate the life of a man who has said and committed such terrible crimes against the brother I owe my life and allegiance to.”

           Lakshama breathed in deeply to continue his rant, but Rama gently raised his hand and silenced him. Rama admonished, “Stop, you do not know what you are saying. What Vibishana said is probably true, but that is in the past, and there is no use in bringing up old words. Ravana, however terrible he was, was capable of awesome things, and accomplished significant acts in his lifetime. He deserves a place in heaven along with our brothers. You did not see, but I looked into his face when he fell from his chariot. I did not see the conceit and lust and rage and egotism that has characterized him for his entire life. That had fallen away. What I saw was a devout and pure soul, who achieved enlightenment and greatness despite his acts in his life. This is why I celebrate him. For who he was, not what he had done.” At this, Lakshama tried to insert humble protests, but again Rama raised his hand and simply said, “That is all I have to say on this matter. Rally the people. It is time I spoke of the great Ravana.”

Ravana, by Anant Shivaji Desair
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Author's Note:

This scene is not included in the original telling of the Ramayana. I was fascinated by Ravana’s death scene, which mentioned the absolute peace that fell across his face as he died. I also was interested in the kind manner in which Ravana was regarded in the Ramayana, despite his absolutely treacherous acts. He was described as devout and possessing fantastic ability, and I thought this was a very kind way of describing such a horrible demon. I chose to illustrate this disparity between actions and perceptions in the form of Rama and Lakshama. This also fit well into the way the two brothers are portrayed throughout the entire epic. Rama is calm and wise, always patiently seeing the good in people and taking a very humble approach to his achievements. Lakshama, on the other hand, is the muscle of the pair and has been known to have a quick temper when  it comes to the brother he has devoted his life to protecting. Lakshama represents the humanistic view of what Ravana was, while Rama represents a divine perception, focusing more on Ravana’s achievements, potential, and devotion to the gods, despite the horrible acts that he nonetheless committed on man, gods, and many other beings.

Sources: Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana