Story 10: The Last Words of a Dying King
BY- Sidhantt Suri
As the great war of Lanka drew to a close, Ravan, once the mighty king of demons, lay mortally wounded. His kingdom was crumbling, his pride shattered. But even in defeat, there was something left to give. Something more powerfu
l than any weapon: wisdom.
Lord Ram, in his grace, turned to his younger brother Lakshman and said, "Go to Ravan. Ask him for his last words of wisdom. Despite all, he was one of the wisest beings to have lived."
Reluctantly, Lakshman approached the fallen king. Standing behind Ravan’s broad shoulders, he conveyed Lord Ram’s message. But Ravan said nothing. Silent. Still. Dying.
When Lakshman returned and explained, Lord Ram simply asked, "Where did you stand when you spoke to him?"
"Behind him," said Lakshman.
Ram replied gently, "Wisdom cannot be received without humility. You must treat a wise man as your teacher. Sit at his feet."
So Lakshman returned, this time sitting humbly near Ravan's feet. And when he asked again, Ravan opened his eyes and spoke—with clarity, with reflection, with truth. These were his final lessons:
1. Never Delay Good Deeds
"I had once thought of building a bridge to invade Ayodhya. If I had acted then, things might have turned out differently," Ravan confessed.
We often wait for the perfect moment to begin. But good actions, if delayed, lose their power. The right time is always now.
2. Never Underestimate Your Opponent
"I laughed at the idea of monkeys waging war against me. I saw them as inferior, unworthy. That was my mistake."
No matter how mighty you are, arrogance blinds you. Every challenger, no matter how small, deserves respect. Underestimating others is the quickest way to fall.
3. Leadership is the Only Blame in Defeat
"If a leader loses, the fault is his alone. It is not the army, not the followers. A wise leader can achieve greatness even with an average team."
Victory is not in strength, but in wisdom. Leadership is responsibility. Own it.
Even Enemies Can Teach
Ravan may have been a villain in the epic, but in his final moment, he became a teacher. To a humble student at his feet, he passed on truths carved from experience and regret.
Greatness isn't always in winning. Sometimes, it's in what we choose to leave behind.
Because sometimes, the enemy you defeated holds the lesson you needed all along.
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