Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ramayana: A Divine Drama – Vol. V
round the many Temples of Siva. .....He was praised and depicted as having
‘Ten Heads’! (SSS Vol.7 p.336)
Maharshi
Even in Ravana, who is generally taken to be a bad person, Valmiki has
shown certain good qualities. In some places good qualities of Vali also were
described by Valmiki. As has been stated earlier, great saints are equal
minded. Because of the saintly character of Valmiki, he showed the weakness
of Rama and he showed the good qualities of Ravana. He was selfless person.
He was called Maharshi; because of he could see the past, present and future.
It is only a great saint or a Maharshi that he is entitled to write poetry. Poets
like Valmiki and Vyasa were Maharishis. Because of this, whatever they had
written has come to be regarded as permanent truth and it remained so for all
the time. (SSB 1977 p.9)
A great Scholar
Ravana was a great scholar. He mastered the four Vedas and six Sastras. In
spite of this knowledge of scriptures, was there any transformation in him
No. Instead of developing Daivatwa (divine qualities), he developed
Danavatwa demonic qualities). The ten heads of Ravana symbolise four
Vedas and six Sastras. Rama severed Ravana’s ten heads since he did not put
into practice the knowledge he had acquired. Learning and chanting of
Vedas will not bring out any transformation. By cutting the heads of Ravana,
Rama propagated this truth in the world. Ravana did not have ten heads in a
literal sense. In fact, four Vedas and six Sastras represented his ten heads. The
message that Rama conveyed was that mere acquisition of knowledge is of
little value. All that God teaches is for the benefit and welfare of humanity. It
is enough if one puts into practice at least one of the teachings of the Vedas.
All your knowledge is useless if you do not put into practice. Ravana learnt
this lesson when he was on the deathbed. Only then did he realise his mistake
and repented for it. By sincere repentance he attained purity and sacredness.
(SS. April 2005 p. 110/111)
Vast knowledge of spiritual texts:
Ravana had vast knowledge of spiritual texts. His ten heads represent the
learning he had from the six Sastras and four Vedas. But, he never did put that
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