We are familiar with Ravan Ji and Ram Ji. But, we lack few basic points about the ways they served their Guru. Ravan Ji is revered as he owned an extravagant treasures and a large head gear of ten set of egos. Ram Ji is left in the temples, as an idol, sufficient to be gazed upon at the alter. Let us distinguish and analyze.
After Ravan attained the powers for being a ten-headed demon, dashaanan, he became quite powerful. Strength blinded him. He reached the heavens and threatened the demigods. All the demigods began running in a haphazard manner, out of fear. They ran towards Mount Sumeru and hid in its caves. Narad Ji appeared before them and asked them about the reason of their panic attitude, though they were immortal, being a participant of the amrit paan (distribution of ambrosia amongst the demigods). They replied that death would have been a better option; they were actually forced to be harassed by Ravan, which would be more terrible than being dead, once and for all. Ravan reached near Mount Sumeru and began calling them aloud, for they would come out. He didn’t venture in the caves; his big ego hindered him to enter. The demigods sighed in relief.
Something persisted in the background as well. Brahma Ji used to visit Ravan, in the Brahma Muhurta everyday, and recite the Vedas before him. Before he could finish listening to the Vedas, Shiva Ji used to come in form and ask him to offer prayers. Once Narad Ji inquired about the same, to Shiva Ji. He replied that he did the same out of fear. Narad Ji could not believe his ears. Shiv Ji said that Ravan could not bother him, but he visited him, to quench his thirst of asking bounties. He continued that Ravan was inviting his doom, as his Guru was serving him, out of fear. Shiv Ji was not scared of Ravan but, he had to take some steps when Ravan used to slice his heads off his head and offer at the alter. He never bowed before his Guru.
Once Narad Ji asked Shiva Ji not to visit Ravan. He smiled at the leela if Narayan and agreed. When Ravan didn’t find Shiv Ji, he came running towards Kailash and lifted it up. The mountain trembled, landslides slid down the slopes, urgently. Mother asked Shiv Ji about the reason. He told about Ravan.
Now, let us see the ideal case.
We are aware that Vishwamitra Ji was Ram Ji’s Guru. Once, they were in Janakpur. Ram Ji was serving the Divine feet of Vishwamitra Ji. Vishwamitra Ji asked Ram Ji about the leela which was in progress. He was being served by the incarnation of Narayan Himself. Ram Ji replied humbly that he was His Guru in the particular birth, and he was responsible for offering service at His Guru’s Divine feet. Vishwamitra Ji tried to pursue Ram Ji for He could take rest, but Ram Ji didn’t leave until His Guru took rest. When Vishwamitra Ji closed his eyes, Ram Ji left. When He lied on His bed, Lakshman Ji was serving Ram Ji. Even, Ram Ji asked Lakshman Ji to take rest, but he continued serving. He served till about 2.45. Then, he lied down for awhile, and then rose back to prepare for his brother’s daily regime. Within few minutes, Ram Ji rose and prepared for His Guru Ji’s daily regime. Then, Vishwamitra Ji rose.
Once, Ram Ji and Lakshman Ji wished to visit Janakpur, as they were destined to show their form to few people. Ram Ji went to Vishwamitra Ji and bowed before him. He asked for if He could for a permission. Vishwamitra Ji nodded. He asked if He could take Lakshman Ji to Janakpur, for he wished to visit the place. Vishwamitra JI asked for the time they would take. He replied that they would return as He shows the place to Lakshman Ji.
Now, let us see a chart.
| Ravan | Ram |
| In the above case, – Ravan is our replica, our ego – Mount Sumeru is the place, where the soul dwells – Demigods denote the positive virtues, which are already inbuilt in our existence – Ten heads of Ravan indicate our grand ego – The incidence when the demigods hid indicates that our soul is hidden within ourselves, out of fear of harassments by the ego – Ravan used to splice off his heads at the alter but never bowed his head. This is our case. He play business with Lord, and wish for the world – There are many people who say that the fame gathered by their Guru, is because of their presence as shishya. Guru is a futile one without such shishyas. | In above case, – Ram Ji is the ideal devotee – His service to His Guru was out of pure love, not out of fear – Ram Ji, Lakshman Ji and Vishwamitra Ji never slept, they were already awake. The primitive mortals, like us, sleep, who are asleep since ages (not found the Self, yet). – The way by which he took permission from His Guru indicates the reverence He had for him. |