Miscellaneous a TRAGIC RAVANA
Miscellaneous A TRAGIC RAVANA I I have often pitied poor Ravana. His is no doubt a cursed name—Loka-kantaka, Scourge of the world—handed down the ages, branded—and who knows, wounded, none so human as to waste some sympathy on the Demon-Monster. Rishi and poet, Pouranik and dramatist, the Saint in the rapture of Bhakti and the Prakrit or vernacular minor or major versifier in ecstasy borne on the swelling tide of devotion, the Dasa who spins out his Hari-katha, and the village Bottom who roars you in Ercles’ vein— all, all have conspired to stamp on the imagination of India a repulsive Ravana, the terrible Rakshasa, the mighty Asura, ten-headed monster, cruel Devil, incarnation of the wicked principle, enemy of Gods and men, harasser of saints and sages, destroyer of sacrifices, violater of women—all have but one name to give him “Ravana,” thy name is Evil. It is all very edifying, impressive, sublime, undoubtedly. Black against white, evil against good, monstrosity against beauty, a simple law of contrast, the very trick of the early artist and primitive preacher of morals. Rama and Ravana! All is said. And now look on this picture! Charming boy, obedient son, loving brother, loyal husband, chivalrous prince, fearless warrior, merciful enemy, lover of truth, soul of sacrifice, beloved by subject, beloved by all—Ramachandra, Ramabhadra—perfect Man, nay, is he not perfect God? And between Rama and Ravana, Sita: to name her is to praise her, to call her blessed. Not in vain was Valmiki hailed Rishi, Adi Kavi, Holy Saint, Father of poets: and he wept for a shot bird! And in his wake, with whatever touches of individual genius, variety of incident or modification of character, not in vain, have followed Bhasa and Kalidasa, Bava-Bhuti and Tulsi Das.
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