08 Feb 2022
[Shri Bharath Krishna Reddy asked: Padanamskaram Swami, Kindly answer the following question of mine. Swami, I have learned that Ravana was a liberated soul playing the role of an enemy of Shri Rama. I have also learned that a liberated soul, being totally absorbed in God, will enjoy both misery and happiness equally. Does this mean Ravana enjoyed the war with Shri Rama? Was he aware that he is a devotee of Shri Rama (God) while fighting with Him? Thank you Swami. Your defective devotee, B. Bharath Krishna Reddy.]
Swami replied: In fact, Ravana was the incarnation of the gate keeper of the abode of God Vishnu. You cannot compare the beginning and the end of Ravana with other demons. But, in the middle part of his life, he is not at all different from other demons because he opted to reach God in three births as enemy. Hence, the whole life of Ravana is just like the atheistic life of any other demon, in which you will fail to pull out something good.
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