Shiva is God embodying the principle of vairagya, absolute detachment.

 

Valmiki describes Ravana as the greatest devotee of Shiva. In many folk versions of the epic such as Ram-kathas and Ram-kiritis, we are informed that Ravana composed the Rudra Stotra in praise of Shiva, the ascetic-god. He designed the lute known as Rudra-Veena, using one of his ten heads as the lute’s gourd, one of his arms as the beam and his nerves as the strings. The image of Ravana carrying Mount Kailash, with Shiva’s family on top, is an integral part of Shiva temple art.

Valmiki is clearly conveying a more profound idea by calling Ravana a devotee of Shiva . And to understand the thought we have to dig a bit deeper.

Shiva is God embodying the principle of vairagya, absolute detachment. He demonstrates his disdain for all things material by smearing his body with ash and living in crematoriums. The material world does not matter to him. Ravana may be his great devotee; he may sing Shiva’s praise, and worship Shiva every day, but he does not follow the path of Shiva.

In reality, Ravana stands for everything that Shiva rejects. Ravana is fully attached to worldly things. He always wants what others have. He never built the city of gold – he drove out his brother, Kuber, and took over the kingdom of Lanka.

Why did he abduct Maa Sita? Avenging his sister’s mutilation was but an excuse; it was the desire to conquer the heart of a faithful wife. And during the war, he let his sons die and his brothers die before entering the battlefield himself.

Ravana has ten pairs of eyes, which means he can see more. Ravana has ten sets of arms, which means he can do more. Ravana has ten heads, which means he can think more. And yet, this man with a superior body and superior mind submits to the basest of passions.

Despite knowing the Vedas and worshipping Shiva, he remains a slave of his senses and a victim of his own ego. He arrogantly shows off his knowledge of detachment but is not wise enough to practice detachment. Deluded, he gives only lip-service to Shiva. This pretender is therefore killed by Rama. Even though he was evil minded Valmiki described him as Maha Yogi and biggest Shaivite.

Jai Mahayogi ~ Jai Bholenath!