Hero or villain??

For a school activity, when Dhruv, my 4 yrs old son, was supposed to dress up according to Ramayana theme, he instantly said, "I will be the Ravana."

We tried a lot to convince him to be the Rama, Lakshmana or Hanuman but he was sure what he wanted.

His decision came as a bouncer for me. But It was a brave decision on his part  to represent him. I was afraid to dress him like Ravana, Because for every other person, Rama is the hero, Ravana is the villain.

(Dhruv as Ravana for a school activity.)

If you too think so... then think again like I did....

Dont typify anyone as 'good' or 'bad'. We all have multiple shades to our personality. Lying within each one of us is the possibility of greatness.
The potential to achieve great good, or great evil.

It is wrong to certify Ravana a villain, without actually knowing exactly what kind of a man was Ravana:

* He was a scholar and an art expert.

* He possessed a thorough knowledge of Ayurveda and political science.

* His ten heads represent his knowledge of the six Shastras and the four Vedas.

* He also mastered the ways of Kshatriyas (warriors).

Ravana was praised for his talent, knowledge, and strength. When he was in tapasya(austerity), the story says he cut off his head ten times to please Shiva, and each time a new head grew so he could continue his tapasya.

With all these great qualities, Ravana, a wise and powerful ruler, he was typecast into the role of villain. His inflated, uncontrollable ego negated all his divine qualities. 

In Reality Ravana is so much like us. We all have Ravana hiding somewhere inside us.

On Dusherra we don't burn that wise, perfect leader, loving brother, caring father, a family man, a great ruler but the burning Ravana statue is a symbol:
* that serves a lesson that even though one is well endowed with good qualities, a single weakness in character is enough to drag you to your end.
* of burning evil qualities: Lust, Anger, Greed, Over Pride, Jealousy, Selfishness and Ego.
* promise to self to start afresh in becoming a good human being.

If you ask me now, I won't call him a villain because it is best to see the good in everyone, and ignore the negatives.

Moreover No one is RAM in today's world.

Rama is a symbol of purity, far beyond a perfectionist. No one can be like him.

On Dussehra we celebrate his unbeatable qualities: Honesty, Sweetness, Simplicity, Gentleness, Modesty, Bravery, Talent, Patience, Faithfulness, Trust worthiness, Humbleness, Charm, Discipline and obidience.

We can just try to be like him but inculcating every quality in us is far too difficult.

Don't point fingers on others, peep inside you. Because RAM and RAVANA are part of us.

There is so much to learn from kids...I learnt my lessons..my son surely changed my point of view..His not so typical approach towards life and people is definitely helping me to be a better person.




Take a break....Enjoy the festival....:)