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The Ethical Excellence of Ravan
233
"Dear father! I am unable to understand what you are saying", Indra said with a little excitement.
"Dear Son ! Even now it is not too late. Awake and be cautious. You speak always of wars and wars. What do you attain by means of wars? Sometimes, even the greatest heroes face defeat, disgrace and death and many untold miseries caught in the whirlpool of wars and political hostilities. This earth did not belong to anyone in the past; nor would it belong to anyone in the future. Mother nature gives birth to greater and greater heroes”. Sahastrar was silent for a few moments. On account of old age, he could not speak much. Indra's eagerness increased. He desired to know his father's innermost thoughts. Many conflicting thoughts arose in his mind.
"Dear son ! In this world, no one should think that he is the greatest hero. No one should have such a high notion of his greatness as a hero".
“Do you mean to say that I..."
“Yes. Ravan, the King of Lanka is today the greatest hero upon the earth. His greatness as a warrior is unsurpassed. Moreover, he has attained many miraculous powers and weapons. He stopped the Yajna of king Maruth. He lifted the mighty mountain, Ashtapad. He routed Yama. He defeated and disgraced Vaishravan. He has made Sugriv the younger brother of Vali the valiant follow him like a slave. Above all, he entered Durlangpur which was impenetrable and captured the great hero, Nalkuber. He has achieved such extraordinary things and now Ravan is approaching your kingdom with his vast army. Instead of fighting against him, it will be sensible and wise on your part to receive him with due honour and hospitality and to conciliate him. Moreover, in order to have a permanent friendship and alliance with him, you should give your daughter, Rupini in marriage to him."
Indra who was listening to his father patiently now began to roar with anger.
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