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the corporal pleasures but definately enjoy them within limits. Therefore, after death they move onto upper realms and keep on progressing till they achieve complete liberation.
Ravana, the demonic king was born into the Raksasa race. He was also called Prativasudeva. His courtiers excelled in different branches of knowledge. One of his courtiers could foresee the future. Once. Ravana called him out of curiosity and said, "One day or the other all beings in this universe are bound to die. The dieties who reside in the celestial abodes are called immortals - Amara, but they too have a
prescribed life span. They too are conquered by the death when this span is over. All moving and nonmoving beings are bound to diminish. It is imperative that everyone has to die one day. Though death is a non-voluntary action, rebirth is completely a voluntary action. Death is inevitable but rebirth is not inevitable. A person through his deeds can escape from the vicious circle of life and death and seek salvation. Inspite of my boundless power, I too cannot evade the death. Therefore, I would like to know how would I die." The wise seer answered, "The future generation of King Dasaratha and King Janaka will be the cause of your death."
EX
Bibhişaņa's pledge in the
king's court
When Rāvana's sibling Bibhişana heard this, his wrath knew no bounds. Like an errupting volcano, he said, "O wise seer, your utterances are usually the very words of destiny; but this time I will prove you wrong; for I am going to assasinate both Dasaratha and Janaka before their offsprings are born. The prenatural death of both rulers would ensure that there will not be a future generation left who would be the cause of my worthy brother's death. O great seer, your oracles are always true, but this time I, the mighty Bibhisana, will change the destiny" Rāvana feared death like anyother mortal. He therefore permitted Bibhişaņa to carry out his plan. Sage Näradaji, the wandering mendicant, was a witness to this drama in the court of Ravana. He, at once left to inform king Dasaratha about what had transpired in the court of the raksasa king Ravana.
EPILIPS
190
fi For the foundation of Raksasa Race refer Appendix-1
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