Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ramayana: A Divine Drama – Vol. V
to ask that he should be never at anyone's mercy--nirdhaya 75 . But
by a slip of the tongue 76 he asked for nidhra (sleep) 77 . Brahma
declared: "So be it." (SSS Vol. 29 p.146)
Then onward, Kumbhakarna became a great sleeper. A person
devoid of compassion is not human (manava), but a demon
(dhanava). (SSS 1996 p.74)
We should not be devoid of compassion at any time. It is said:
It is by dint of devotion that one should find fulfilment in
life
Whether he is a prince or a pauper, a fool or a scholar,
It is by dint of devotion that he should find fulfilment.
Whether he performs penance holding his nose,
Whether he dons ochre robe or holds his breath,
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76
77
the Imperishable Entity that one is and merging the consciousness in it.
Look at the rakshasas! Ravana and Kumbhakarna went through extreme
austerities for thousands of years. God manifested Himself before them
and granted them the boons they prayed for. But, since the austerity did
not win for them purity and cleanliness, virtue and humility, they
continued as ever, monsters of violence and wickedness. They had no
trace of the Satwic (poised state) in their make-up. They had the Grace of
God in such a large measure; God appeared, inquired and granted. But,
they behaved even worse than before! They denied by their lives the
Grace they won. (SSS Vol.6 p.112)
A heart bereft of compassion, that is, Nirdhaya (devoid of compassion).
(SSS 1996 p.98)
Ravana's brother Kumbhakarna was blessed with a timely twist of the
tongue (SSS Vol.4 p.173)
He asked for nidhra (the power to sleep), instead of nigraha (the power
to slaughter)! ibid
170