SELECTIVE DENIGRATION AND CHARACTER ASSASSINATION OF RAVANA!

Though there are many other mythological characters in epic Valmiki Ramayan,  who are classical  symbol of evil and moral turpitude, yet quite contrary to logic and  reason, only Ravana has been selectively targeted for denigration and character assassination. What was the yardstick and criteria for negative exclusiveness? Otherwise, also the story of Ramayna as a whole cannot be described as some sort of treatise of morals. Moral degeneration, betrayal, arrogance and eccentricity is integral part of the individuality of so many other characters like,  Daryodhan,  Vibheshan ,Sugreev,  Bali ,Yudishter and Shukani, yet non of them has been made        exclusive target of denigration and character assassination. The     history of Hindu  scriptures is full of such characters, but non of them has been either criticized or condemned in comparison to Ravana.

In Rigveda, there are eight verses [Mandal 10,Sukt 125] about one Rishi Vagambhrini, who has been described as sadistic, eccentric and arrogant. Gita is classical example of eccentricity and self-glorification, in which Krishna has exhibited self-elation and self-glorification as many as 375 times. And,        then his role as manipulator par excellence and intriguer in the war of Mahabharta is definitely questionable.

May be, abduction of Sita by Ravana was gross violation of “established norms”, but was it not more or less reflection of provocation ,precipitated by Rama and Laxmana themselves by their arrogant, indecent and uncivilized behavior with Ravana’s sister Sarupnakha. Was expression of love on part of Sarupnakha, for Rama some sort of heinous crime, for which she was not only humiliated but also mutilated? Ravana was still decent and civilized in his behavior with Sita. Even author of Valmiki Ramayan has himself testified said fact: firstly Ravana exhibited respect and honor for the dignity of Sita and deployed only female watch and ward staff  during her captivity and secondly his bold moral declaration to Sita,” despite my extreme carnal desire, I will not even touch you, till there is natural desire in you for me.”[Valmiki Ramayan; Aranyakand,sarg 54/4,15 and Sunderkand,sarg 2/6]. Well known historian R.C.Majmudar ,in his well documented book titled “ancient India “has stated that Ravana definitely exhibited and  followed better moral values than his opponents.[Page 209]. Moreover epic itself testifies that anguish and suffering of Sita was more due to egoistic and male chauvinistic behavior of Rama, rather than revengeful behavior of Ravana. It will be pertinent to point out here that, Rama himself made innocence of Sita ,questionable and doubtful by refusing to accept her even after much publicized Agnipariksha.

And then supposedly, abduction of Sita by Ravana  was an act of indecency and immorality, what about abduction of  Rukmani by Krishna, Subhdra by Arjuna, three daughters [Ambha,Ambhalika and Ambhika] of  Kashiraj by  supposedly great moralist Bhisham Pitamaha? Well, diehard apologists will argue about the married status of Sita and question the morality of Ravana. Anyhow, said abduction is not an case of isolation in Hindu mythological scriptures. As per Bhaghwat  Puran [9/14/4-5], there is episode of  Chanderma Devta [Moon god],who forcibly abducted Tara, wife of his Guru Brahispati,which ultimately resulted in war between Deities and Demons. As per Brahm Vaivrat Puran [part first 49/36-40], Radha, daughter of Vrashbhanu, was married with Rayan, who was brother of  Krishna’s mother Yashudha. Accordingly Radha was maternal aunt [Mami] of Krishna, yet Krishna abducted her own maternal aunt and got ‘ married’ with her in the jungles of Bhandir and his  ‘marriage’ was solemnized by non other than celebrated priest Brahspati [Ibid 15/124]. Sugreev and Vibheshan  are two respected and celebrated characters of Ramayana and  both of them were instrumental in getting their own brothers killed  by Rama. Both of them were traitors of their respective families and country. Their treachery and immoral nexus with Rama against their own kith and kin is definitely questionable and then their act of forcing, widows of Bali and Ravana for marital status lacks moral authority and by any logic cannot be justified. It will be again pertinent here to point out that even Tulsidas, author of Ramcharitmanas, has not justified their immoral acts.[Ramcharitmanas, Balkand].

It is interesting to note here that, Krishna, Chandrama, Vibeshan and Sugreev,have been nowhere denigrated in any scripture and on the contrary accorded respect and honor in socio religious practice and perception. It is beyond any comprehension that why Ravna alone has been made target of selective denigration and character assassination?