Akampana and Ravana - A lesson for life
Did Ravana abduct Sita on his own, or was it suggested to him? If you are reading this question for the first time, it seems so absurd. Right? When asked this question personally, many people gave a simple answer, "He did it on his own". Some even asked me a question in reverse, "Is this even a question?", and said, "Ravana was evil. Does someone need to suggest to him to do such an evil act?" As usual, Valmiki Ramayana has a twist here. Ravana didn't get the idea on his own. It was sown in his thoughts by one of the rakshasas from Janasthana. So, who was that rakshasa? And when did it happen? So, where was that Janasthana and who was that rakshasa? Janasthana was where Surpanakha lived with her brother Khara and several other demons (rakshasas). As we all know, the popular story is of Surpanakha approaching Rama and Lakshmana with lustful intent and being punished by Lakshmana when she tried to intimidate Sita. Generally, in movies and serials, we se...