By: Rajendra Kapil

Born in the noble lineage of Sage Pulastya, the world-renowned Ravana was a mighty king of immense strength and great wisdom. In his youth, he performed deep devotion to Lord Shiva, as a result of which he obtained many divine weapons and powers. He was the son of the great sage Vishrava and grandson of Sage Pulastya. Scholars in India never tire of praising Ravana’s virtues. Yet he had one fatal weakness — his lustful desires. Whenever he saw a beautiful woman, he would become restless.

Many have praised Ravana by saying that despite abducting Sita, he was so noble in character that he never once tried to touch her by force. Learned men often cite this as a beautiful example of Ravana’s patience and restraint. But was it truly his patience — or was there another reason?

In the Sundar Kand of the Ramcharitmanas, this episode is briefly described. Ravana tempts Sita by offering to make her a queen greater even than Mandodari. He appears ready to lay all his wealth at her feet. But when Sita gives no favorable reply, he tries every means to frighten and threaten her. Here lay the true test of Ravana’s patience.

Kah Ravana sunu sumukh sayani, Mandodari adi sab rani
Tav anuchari karaun pan mora, ek baar biloku mam ora

Ravana said: Listen, O wise and beautiful one. Mandodari and all my queens shall become your attendants. I vow this—just look at me once.

But Sita did not even glance toward him. Instead, she replied: Where is my radiant Lord Rama, shining like the sun, and where are you — a dim firefly without light?

Hearing this, Ravana became enraged. He shouted that Sita had insulted him and that he could cut off her head at once.

Sita tain mam krit apamana, katihau tav sir kathin kripana
Nahi ta sapadi manu mam bani, sumukhi hoti na ta jeevan hani

Was this truly Ravana’s patience, or was some other force stopping him? In the Valmiki Ramayana, this episode is described in much greater detail. There, Ravana is shown discussing Sita with one of his ministers, Mahaparshva. This minister knew Ravana’s strength and valor well. Seeing Ravana tormented with desire for Sita, Mahaparshva advises him to forcibly possess her.

Balat kukkutavrittena pravartasva mahabala
Akramya akramya Sitam vai tam bhunkshva cha ramasva cha

O mighty Ravana, force yourself upon Sita. Overpower her repeatedly and enjoy her. You need fear no one.

In reply, Ravana reveals a hidden secret to Mahaparshva.

Mahaparshva nibodha tvam rahasyam kinchid atmanah
Chiravrittam tadakhyasye yad avaptam pura maya

Listen, Mahaparshva. I shall tell you a secret from long ago, the result of which brought upon me a terrible curse. Because of that curse, I cannot act as you suggest.

Then Ravana narrates the story.

Once, Ravana had gone wandering in a forest. While resting there, he saw a celestial apsara named Punjikasthala passing by. She was on her way to meet Lord Brahma. Seeing Ravana, she tried to hide herself so that his eyes would not fall upon her. But her beauty was unparalleled. The more Ravana saw her trying to hide, the more his desire grew.

When he tried to seize her, she resisted. But Ravana’s lust had reached its peak. Ignoring her pleas, he overpowered her and violated her by force. Helpless, the apsara begged for mercy, but Ravana paid no heed.

After this terrible incident, she went directly to Lord Brahma. Seeing her sorrowful and angered state, Brahma was deeply disturbed. Her face looked faded like a withered lotus.

When Brahma asked the cause of her grief, Punjikasthala narrated the entire घटना exactly as it had happened. Hearing this, Brahma became furious. Consoling the apsara, he said: Daughter, I cannot undo what has happened to you. But I shall ensure Ravana can never again commit such an outrage upon another woman.

Taking water in his hand, Brahma cursed Ravana:

If Ravana ever touches any woman against her will, his head shall shatter into a hundred pieces.

Some time later, news of this curse reached Ravana.

Hearing it, Ravana was filled with fear. He kept the curse secret, but from then on he became cautious around women. Even if he desired a maidservant, he would first tempt her with expensive gifts and riches, trying to win her consent before approaching her.

Now let us return to the episode of Sita. When minister Mahaparshva advised him, Ravana confessed that he was constantly haunted by the fear of this curse. That is why, after abducting Sita and bringing her to Lanka, he repeatedly went before her, trying to persuade her. He offered to make her greater than Mandodari herself. But Mother Sita, firm in her devotion to her husband, rejected every offer.

The real reason Ravana did not touch Sita was less patience and more fear of Brahma’s curse. There was another reason as well — Ravana knew very well that Rama was no ordinary man, but Narayana Himself. To dishonor His wife would invite a punishment beyond imagination.

Thus Ravana was reduced to pleading before Sita, unable to gather the courage to touch her. In the end, he had to wage war against Lord Rama and lost both his kingdom and his obsession for Sita.

This is one of the hidden secrets of the Valmiki Ramayana that not everyone knows.

“Jai Shri Ram”