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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
The endeavour to attain spiritual perfection begins with the austerity of offering a salutation. When Ravana was on his death-bed, Shri Rama said to Lakshman, "Ravana is a great scholar. He is highly enlightened. He has mastered many Vidyas (accomplishments). He is a treasure house of knowledge and is going to be a Thirthankar. Go to him and learn from him all that you wish to learn".
A person may have some vices but in that matter, he depends on Karmas. If we can attain the lofty thoughts that Lakshman entertained, it would be a great blessing to us.
Lakshman approached Ravana and sat at his head. Ravana saw him; and realised that he had approached him as a friend. He asked Lakshman, "Dear sir, what is the purpose of your visit to me?".
Lakshman replied, "I have approached you in accordance with the commands of Shri Ram, my elder brother. He commanded me to approach you and to seek knowledge from you".
Ravana glanced at him, and said, "Lakshman ! you are unfit to be taught".
Lakshman thought that this was a great disgrace to him. He felt greatly insulted. He thought, "Have I come to be insulted thus? Has my brother sent me here to be insulted thus by Ravan ?" Angrily, he returned to Shri Ram. Shri Ram asked him, "What have you learnt from Ravan ?".
Lakshman replied, "What can I learn from him? When I went to him, he insulted me saying that I was unfit to be taught by him".
Shri Ram felt certain that Ravana would not have behaved thus. He thought a little and asked Lakshmana After approaching Ravan, where did you take your seat ?" Lakshman replied, "I sat near his head''.
"Enough", said Shri Ram. "Your conduct made him feel that you were unfit to learn anything from him. You did not show politeness. You did not behave in a sensible and obedient manner. Where there is no politeness, there can be no learning".
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