Why Did Ram Ask Lakshman to Learn from the Dying Ravan? The Untold Lesson

The Ramayana is not just a story of war and victory; it is also a treasure of wisdom and dharma. One of its most fascinating moments comes after the defeat of Ravan, the mighty king of Lanka. Despite being the enemy who abducted Sita and waged war against Ram, Ravan was not denied respect at the time of his death. Instead, Shri Ram did something that has puzzled many—he asked his younger brother Lakshman to go and learn from the dying Ravan. Why would the Lord send his brother to seek knowledge from the very demon they had fought against? The answer lies in the deeper message of humility, wisdom, and the recognition that knowledge can come from any source.

Though remembered largely as the villain of the Ramayana, Ravan was also a brilliant scholar, a master of the Vedas, and a devotee of Lord Shiva. He was a ruler with immense administrative knowledge and was known for his musical and intellectual abilities. His arrogance and lust led to his downfall, but his wisdom remained intact until the end.

When Ravan lay dying on the battlefield, Ram told Lakshman that it was the perfect time to learn from him. Ram explained that when a person is near death, all ego fades, and truth emerges in its purest form. Even the proudest king becomes humble before death, making his words more valuable than ever.

At first, Lakshman went reluctantly and stood near Ravan’s head, waiting for him to speak. But Ravan remained silent. When Lakshman returned, Ram told him that he had approached incorrectly. Out of respect, one must always sit at the feet of a guru or elder when seeking knowledge. Lakshman realized his mistake and returned to sit humbly at Ravan’s feet.

Ravan, before his final breath, shared three powerful lessons that remain relevant even today:
1. Never delay doing good deeds. If something righteous needs to be done, do it immediately. Delaying can cause regret later.
2. Never underestimate your enemy. Ravan admitted that he had underestimated Ram and his army, which became a major reason for his defeat.
3. Control your desires and ego. Lust and arrogance were the cause of his downfall. He warned Lakshman that unchecked desires can destroy even the mightiest of kings.

This episode teaches us that wisdom is not bound by friendship or enmity, nor by victory or defeat. Even in his final moments, Ravan had something profound to offer. Ram’s decision to send Lakshman shows the importance of humility, acknowledging that even an adversary can be a teacher.

The lesson from this episode is clear, knowledge can come from anywhere, even from those we consider enemies. Shri Ram’s act was not just about Lakshman gaining wisdom; it was about teaching humanity that respect for learning and humility in seeking knowledge are among the greatest virtues. The story of Ravan’s final teachings remains a timeless reminder: in life, never let ego stop you from learning, because wisdom often comes from the most unexpected places.

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