Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

89
Ravana
He had no faith (Atma Vishwasa)
Since Ravana had no faith (Atma Vishwasa). He plunged into abysmal depths.
Even his Tapas (Penance), turned into Tamas (dullness). Tapas should
strengthen one’s faith, but this did not happen in the case of Ravana. (SSB
1996 p.85)
Could not bear happiness of others
Ravana could not bear the happiness of other people. The normal human
nature should be to become happy by looking at the happiness of others.
There are many people in the world who, like Ravana, take a lot of interest in
any happiness that may come in the way of other people and who cannot bear
others being happy. (SSB 1977 p.162)
He was Valorous – Harboured hatred –rendered his life miserable
Whatever penances, japas or sacrifices people do, they are unable to get rid of
unhappiness. The reason is they have not been able to get rid of their hatred.
Ravana was a valorous person, with many talents and accomplishments. But
because he was filled with hatred, he could have no happiness. By harbouring
hatred man renders his life miserable. “The angry man fails in every one of his
enterprises” (Telugu saying). Anger brings in its train all kinds of ill- fame.
Hatred by infamy, he can have no happiness. (SSS Vol.30 p.206)
Lack of power to discriminate:
The paradox of human behaviour is that, having the power of discrimination
to identify good and bad, man is not able to get away from bad pursuits. This
is due to the weakness of the human mind, which is in turn the result of desire
and anger. Take the example of Ravana, who was a great scholar and master
of many arts.
Ravana looked at Sita with a bad vision. The eye is a sacred organ. Good
vision generates good thoughts. In Ravana, the bad look created bad thoughts,
which led to his downfall. (SSS Vol.26 p.127)
Deceitful and Untruthful:
Ravana, in the story of Ramayana, is teaching to the world that no one should
have such bad qualities as he had. Ravana was a wicked person and he