076 - Ravana and Vibhishana

When Rama vanquished Ravana, Rama asked his younger brother, Laxmana, to go to Ravana and learn from him as he was a great scholar. Laxmana went to Ravana who was dying and expressed his desire to learn ethics and politics from him. Ravana told him many principles of these disciplines. Laxmana was really surprised at his wisdom.

He asked him, "Ravana,  you are really a wise person. In spite of your wisdom, why did you abduct mother Sita?"

Ravana replied without remorse, "Laxmana, I am from rakchhash race. I saw this happening day in and day out. Therefore, I had no qualms in abducting Sita."

Laxmana returned to his camp. He then went to Vibhishana and asked a question, "Vibhishana, you are from rakchhash race. How come you are different from them?"

"I saw injustice and exploitation in rakchhash race and decided that I for one would not do what they do," answered Vibhishana.


Circumstances are surely important. But they cannot stop us from reacting to them in our own ways.




source: Stories from Here and There, Ekalavya Education Foundation - By: Sunil Handa - http://www.eklavya.org/storyhere.html