At the inception of the Mahabharata war, Arjuna dropped his bow and arrows and sought Lord Krishna’s help. Krishna’s words of advice carry a promise of succour that exemplifies His boundless compassion to humanity and offer of salvation to those surrendering to Him unconditionally. But this merciful quality, which works as an alchemy to effect an inner change even in the most evil people, failed to be effective in Ravana, pointed out Sri M. V. Anantapadmanabhachariar in a lecture.
It is said that the fight between Rama and Ravana assumed such proportions and seemed extraordinarily tough to both combatants that Valmiki was at a loss to describe it adequately. The poet said that there could be no comparisons offered in this case and leaves it to one’s imagination just as it is not possible to describe the extent, quality or structure of skies above or the complexities of the ocean. The poet resorts to a simple statement Rama Ravanayor yuddham Rama Ravanayoriva in this context. The fierce combat continued unabated for days together and finally Ravana was vanquished.
At one point of time during the fight, Ravana was stripped of his bow and arrows and Rama could have clinched the victory. But the Lord told Ravana to retire for the day and face the fight the next day. None other than the Lord would give such chances to such an atrocious sinner as Ravana. Rama hoped that Ravana would atone for his sins and surrender to Him. But that was not to be. That is why when Rama’s victory over Ravana was hailed by all, Rama felt He was the loser and Ravana the winner.
During Krishna avatar, Ravana was born as Sisupala and attained salvation at the hands of Krishna as was his destiny. During the Rajasuya Yaga, when Sisupala transgressed the limits of the graces he was entitled to, the Lord hurled His discus at him and the soul of Sisupala merged with Him.
Even a renowned karma yogi and a raja rishi like king Janaka found fulfilment when he surrendered his entire being to the Lord.
