Answer :-
Version 1:-
Ravan never lost the war. He was a pure gentle man. HE kidnapped Sita but fed her, sheltered her, clothed her and he never harassed her. He was the best disciple of Shiva. He was a master scholar in medicine, mathematics,astronomy, astrology . He has written many books like "Arka Shastra" . in arka shastra he has compiled every herb its usage and dosage revealing cures to some complex diseases.
The book "Kumara Tantraya" (Gynecology and Peadetric Medicine) which reveals the treatments for infant diseases was written by him accepting the request of his pregnant queen Mandodari. He has similarly written many books on astrology and also created new Raagas in Music , esp in Sama Veda , our 4th veda. He was such an eloquent master that he controlled Navagrahas (the nine "grahas" aspects of human astro system).
He is said to be one of the greatest physicians who ever existed, and even authored the book Arka Prakashaya. The Bisajjya Grantha and Nadi Shasthra mentions that King Ravana and his grandfather Pulasthi Muni had graced the world-famous medical conferences held in those ancient days in Janasthan Pura near Pakistan. In Sri Lankan folk tales, it is said that king Ravana treated both Rama and Lakshmana with his own hand when they were badly injured on the battlefield.
The only King of Sri Lanka who managed to wipe out all the divisions among the Sri Lankan people was the Great King Ravana. Under his leadership, King Ravana managed to unite all the Sri Lankan tribes. Sri Lanka became a secular country not subject to or bound by any religious dogma, with no official religion, language or official yes men. Not only ruling Sri Lanka, he governed a vast kingdom with boundaries extending over South Asia – and was hence named Chakravarthi. In chronological records about Ravana, it is almost impossible to find a single battle fought against another community of people in order to invade their land or usurp their throne. Not a single ‘racial’ conflict is mentioned in any of those records written during his reign, though the chronicle of the Ramayana by Valmiki stereotyped him as the most evil human to have ever existed, providing an erroneous and biased interpretation of the Rama-Ravana war.
Raksh tribe believed in nature worship and universal identity without any bias for caste or creed and gender. The other tribes had deep caste divides and wanted to keep that alive. Ravana was a master of 10 vidyas or 10 forms of knowledge another symbolic representation of his infamous "10 heads". Ravana as a social refomer took this message deep down to other tribal areas albiet by force which were at odds with the social fabric.
He propogated "Raksh Neeti" which meant equality for all. The other rulers were ought to get distressed who wanted the demarcation to be preserved. Fast forwarding to famous Shurpanka's episode, Shurpanka was appointed as the "Governor" of the region where Ram , Lakshman and Sita had entered. As the present norm states, an unauthorized entry amounted to aggression, unfortunately, which was taken up by Shurpanaka. The famous "enticement" which again has been demonized by popular folk lore and TV serials is silent on this issue. In "vayam rakshamah" its beautifully argued that Shurpanka was unjustly manhandled. Imagine a girl (who happens to the queen) , in all fairness assuming asked for marriage is manhandled, beaten and have had her nose cut, its so unbecoming of a man. Our eye brows were raised recently when women were attacked at a pub, how about this now ? isnt it inhuman, firstly you enter a territory which is not yours, then you manhandle the chieftan ? and that too when she is a women, where is the culture ? . ravana avenged it with taking away Sita not just for this but as a political move, and please remember that he never ill-treated.
Rama wanted to construct the famous "sethu" and needed a pandit to do the commencement puja or ritual. The only pandit nearby was Ravana, the best amongst all. Ravana came and performed Puja for his "enemy" dutifully and blessed him. If this arrogance, be it..
Rama wanted to pick an auspicious time to start the battle. Rama needed an astrologer. Everyone unanimously suggested none other than Ravana. Heeding to the suggestion, Rama went to ravana to ask him a good time. Ravana as a great professional gave him the best muhurtha which (9 navaratris) and blessed him with "Vijaya Bhava".
Finally Rama tired of all weaponry , picked up his Brahmaastra , equivalent of nuclear weapon in modern age. This weapon technically was never supposed to be used in war as it was more of a deterrance. Ravana had this weapon as well. But seeing Rama open this weapon, Ravana did not open his Brahmastra (which he had) because he knew that had he done that , entire humanity and ecology would have been finished, imagine 2 hydrogen bombs colliding. He opted out and gladly accepted death and defeat for the larger purpose.
In fact before his death, Ravana makes a request to Rama to protect the Humanity and Ecology to its fullest !
Many slam Ravana condemning him as lustful and arrogant but I beg to disagree. If he had indeed been lustful then Sita would not have left his palace untouched by him. However, even if it had become lust, he has the sage Vishwamitra for competition in horniness! If arrogance is a crime, hang Durvasa first who was much more arrogant than Ravana and is still considered a maharishi!
I dont think that he actually lost the war!
Version 2:-
Ravanayana
Once upon a time, in a kingdom far far away there used to live a great sage named Vishrava. He fell in love with the beautiful princess of the prosperous land Lanka. They had a child, who they named Ravana.
Ravana was a child prodigy. Vishrava noticed his aptitude and knew that his son will be an exemplary scholar some day. Under Vishrava's tutelage, Ravana mastered the Vedas, the books of knowledge, and also the arts and ways of Kshatriyas (warriors). Ravana was also an excellent veena player. His love of Veena and music inspired his innovations of a new musical instrument called Ravanahatta , which we know as a violin today. Along with that he was a master in Politcal Science, Economics, Public Administration, Architecture, and Engineering, to name a few. He was an amazing Engineer and a Scientist, too ahead of his time that contemporary wise men thought his creations to be magical. It was rumored that Ravana was as intelligent as ten other humans, and hence gained his name "Dashaanana".
Vishrava was very impressed with the abilities Ravana has gained by virtue of his hard work and passion, and thought that he would make a great ruler. When Ravana returned to the kingdom of Lanka, his brother Kubera who was the king of Lanka, left the throne to Ravana. He also gave him as gift a flying chariot, called as "Pushpak Vimaan", which was built by the best of the engineers of the land using the theoretical principles developed by Ravana.
As expected, Ravana's rule turned out to be the golden period in Lanka's history. The kingdom flourished in Scientific and artistic achievements. Ravana became a patron to many talents. The stories of his golden rule reached all neighboring kingdoms, and everyone who knew of Ravana got inspired by his prowess and expertise.
The Lankans often used to come to the serene forests of Panchavati to spend their vacation midst nature. Ravana's uncle Maricha and sister Minakshi came on an expedition to study nature to Panchavati.
One day while Minakshi was wondering alone in the forest making observations, she heard a male voice. She was very fond of meeting different people from different cultures and know about them, and was very happy when she saw a handsome young man. She thought him to be a local and planned to approach him to know more about the place, people, their culture, lifestyles. Little did she know what was in store for her. She proceeded to have a chat.
Minakshi: Hey there, I am Minakshi.. Nice to meet you.
The young man: Hello beautiful. I am Ram, the crown prince of the kingdom of Ayodhya.
Minakshi: Thank you. I am so eager to know about this place. I am from the far away lands of Lanka.
Ram: Sounds good. I know all about this place and I'd love to tell about it. But what'd you give me in return.
Minakshi(thinking some joke was going on): Ok. Tell me Ram, what do you want?
Ram: You know something, you are too stunning for a Lankan piggie. Why don't you join my harem as a concubine. I think, you will be something.
Minakshi (Shocked, in disbelief turned to speak to the other young man who was standing close to them by now): Is this how you treat girls in your place?
The other guy: You have some nerves coming here and asking us "men" how to behave, Bitch. Let me give you a lesson, you bloody "dark" whore which you will remember for the rest of your life.
With this, the guy brought out a sharp knife and cut her nose and ear, which he thought was a fitting punishment for her "immoral" actions.
You will thank me someday for this lesson, the name is Laxman.
Minakshi, ran off crying with pain, bleeding all over from her wounds. When Maricha saw her in this state, he gave her some first-aid and sent her off to Lanka swiftly. He was mortified. Being an experienced man, who was well versed with the political scenario with the region, it didn't take him long to comprehend what evil has stricken them. From Minakshi's description, he knew it has to be the two princes of Ayodhya, banished from the kingdom by their father.
"You know Ram is so ruthless that he killed his father because he was banished from the kingdom. It was only the honest people of the court who were sternly against his actions and this forced him to go back to the forest. Soon, he will return to the capital and take the control from his loving and gullible brother Bharata. Who knows what will be the kngdom's fate when that day comes." The words of a local whom he had a chat with the other night flashed in Maricha's mind. When he heard this story, Maricha dismissed it as an Urban legend. But the cruelty with which his innocent niece was racially profiled, harassed and mutilated, made him terrified of the malice of these brothers. He decided to get together all his things and leave as soon as possible. But he had something else in store for him.
Meanwhile, in Lanka Ravana was startled to see the condition of his beloved sister, and got really upset when he heard of her story. Being the just ruler that he is, he decided to go to Panchavati and talk some sense in the two spoiled brats.
In Panchavati, Maricha was spotted by Ram while he was collecting his belongings for the departure to Lanka. Ram thought to himself, "This guy must be so rich, let me see what can I take.", and followed Maricha. When Maricha knew he was being followed, he used his skills of disguise for his run to safety. Ram thought he might loose track and asked for help from his brother Lakshman. Lakshman was a sadist, he was busy harassing another young female, Sita. Only this time, she was none other than his abused sister in law. He knew, him leaving her alone in the hut meant just one thing. He was almost certain she will fix the mistake she did when she decided to leave her royal life for his delinquent brother. Lakshman decided to do what he was best at, he drew three lines on his exit and threatened Sita not to cross them or the consequences will be real bad.
Ravana reached their hut and saw Sita inside. Sita had heard of Ravana. She always wanted to be with a guy like him. Whatever was left of her rational mind started reasoning. She thought to herself, "I am also a human being, not a belonging to fill one's carnal desires, that someone can 'win' in a show exclusive to spoilt princes." Her inner self revolted. She was cursing her stupidity and vanity that she had hope that after all the things Ram had done, she will be able to bring some change inside him. In this perplexed state of mind she broke down and told the story of her oppression to Ravana. Ravana asked her what he can do for her, and proposed that she comes to Lanka with him where he will help her settle down and have a respectable life according to her own terms. Suddenly, everything made sense to Sita. She decided to leave for good with this benevolent king. She saw the lines, and wiped them with her hands in rage saying a good-bye to her miseries. After listening to Sita's story, Ravana knew there was no point in talking to Ram and decided to leave. Suddenly, a deafening cry reached their ears. Ravana recognized the voice of Maricha. It didn't take him long to realize that it was the last time he will be hearing to his sound. Sita urged to leave, and leaving is what he did for her safety.
When the brothers got back to their hut, Lakshman first saw his three lines wiped. A visibly angry Lakshman went inside to punish his little sister in law for this mis-demeanor, only to find her missing. The pleasure of mugging and shooting arrows into the flesh of a "lowly" rich Lankan vanished into thin air. Ram got terribly angry with the turn of events, and both the brothers took this insult upon them. Their male ego was hurt. Ram knew, Sita didn't have all that strength of mind to elope. "She must have had some help.", he thought to himself. They captured a tribal named Jatayu, who used to dwell nearby and started interrogating him fiercely to know what he had seen. At last, unable to bear the torture, he told about Ravana and his Pushpak Vimaana. But mercy was something alien to the brothers, they beheaded the innocent helping tribal. They nurtured a vengeance against king of Lanka and thought of ways to get back at him.
Ram was no ordinary man. He was not just brawn, he was an evil genius. While wondering for his revenge, they came across Sugriva and got to know of his story. It didn't take Ram long to polarize him against his brother Vali and made them fight. Everyone knew Sugriva's army was no match for Vali's. But Ram, from the cover of trees deceitfully shot an arrow at Vali's chest assassinating him. Their was chaos, and Vali's army fled. This unexpected turn of events made Sugriva the king and made way for his alliance with Ram and Laxman. This gave Ram the much needed resource to hatch a plan against Ravan, and Sugriva being the spineless wimp supported all his exploits.
Meanwhile in Lanka, Ravana made all arrangements for the new life of the innocent lady he rescued. But, Sita was severely traumatized by the horrors of her past. She was having tremors and sleepless nights. Ravana got her into the finest community center of his kingdom, the Ashoka Vatika. There were attendants to look after all troubled inhabitants and Sita was treated with all the care like any other local.
Ram sent his commander from Sugriva's army Hanumana to Lanka. Hanuman was a brave and ruthless warrior. But the commands from Ram were clear, "Don't try to rescue Sita. I don't care for her safety and well being as much as I care for my vengeance. Just estimate their power, do as much damage as you can and get back." Hanuman entered into Lanka, sneaked inside Ashoka Vatika, met Sita and gave her a ring having the initials of Ram. To his utter surprise, Sita went into a relapse as the tales of her torture flashed in front of her eyes. Not knowing what to do, Hanuman left the place. He was bedazzled by the wealth of Lanka, and finally gave in to his sadistic side. He was a successful commander, who never lost in a battle, never failed his assignments. They said he was as fast as a gush of wind. A voice echoed within his mind, "What's the meaning of all these achievements of mine if there is no plunder." He lit a fire and started burning off the buildings in a residential area in Lanka to his heart's content and then returned with his own misplaced sense of self-righteousness.
Ram was elated after learning of Hanuman's pillage in Lanka. He got confident, "if one of my commander, single-handedly can do this much destruction, I can certainly bring the Lankans to their knees with Sugriva's army. And even if there is half the wealth in Lanka that I have heard, it will be a great bounty." He trained the army in extreme guerrilla warfare, and marched towards Lanka.
Ravana, in the other hand got busy with his administration. He was a progressive thinker, who knew how to ascend from petty feelings of regionality and do something for the whole mankind. He planned to use his knowledge for projects that will take people to places. He used his knowledge of Engineering to build a floating dam in the Indian Ocean that can facilitate trade and communications between his island empire and the Indian mainland. He was also busy documenting his lifelong research of celestial bodies in a book, he decided to name "Ravanasamhita". He was also busy designing a vehicle for space travel.
Ram and his guerrilla army, crossed the ocean taking the floating dam and marched to Lanka. Lanka was a peaceful nation and their army had never faced any war, let alone a guerrilla attack. Lot of them were killed brutally by the ruthless army of Ram, till Ravana decided to command his army. His superior knowledge of weapon technology enabled Lankan army to obliterate the hiding enemies and score a clear hand. Soon enough, it was clear who the boss was. Ravana lost his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Indrajit in the battle. After a fierce battle Ram got defeated and imprisoned by Ravana.
Back in Ayodhya when Bharata got to know of the plights of his brothers, he came in truce to Ravana and took responsibility of the actions of his brothers. Ravana moved by his brotherly love decided to let Ram and Laxman go along with all the POW, if they plead guilty and promise to not repeat the same mistakes. After a lot of cajoling from Bharata, Ram decided to ask for forgiveness. Bharata also forced him to request Sita to come with them, and so happened, until Ram played his final card of chauvinism.
"I am sorry for all my mistakes, and want you to forgive me.", Ram said to her. She didn't know how to react. Her neurons and synapses got into action deciding what she should do. Right then, Ram dropped a bombshell. "Hey, but you have been here for a long time without me. There are so many men out here, I am not sure you didn't sleep with any of them. Why don't you prove your chastity to me and then we can go back to our 'nice' life back home."
Things were never clearer for Sita. She turned with a sly smile and went back into her quarters in Ashok Vatika.
Ravana bereaved of the sufferings of his subjects and loss of his many near and dear ones, blamed himself for the damage in the war. He relinquished the throne, giving the reins to his suave younger brother Vibhishana and left in his pursuit of knowledge, with a promise to self that he will be watching his people as a watchful protector, a silent guardian till his last breath.
P.S.:
This is a story and not meant to hurt the religious beliefs of any person or group. This story is just as lurid and pulp as the original story. Most of the incidents are taken from Ramayana, but the perspective of looking at them is changed.
Source:
1. Ravana the inventor of violin Ranjan Violin
2. Soorpanakha was not a real name. Her real name was Chandranakha which meant that she has a face like the moon. This is Valmiki's description of her-
And this is what Tamil poet Kamban says-
a very beautiful woman with long hair, beautiful, fish-shaped eyes (validating her given name of "Minakshi" at birth), a slender shape and a bewitching personality.
Version 1:-
The book "Kumara Tantraya" (Gynecology and Peadetric Medicine) which reveals the treatments for infant diseases was written by him accepting the request of his pregnant queen Mandodari. He has similarly written many books on astrology and also created new Raagas in Music , esp in Sama Veda , our 4th veda. He was such an eloquent master that he controlled Navagrahas (the nine "grahas" aspects of human astro system).
He is said to be one of the greatest physicians who ever existed, and even authored the book Arka Prakashaya. The Bisajjya Grantha and Nadi Shasthra mentions that King Ravana and his grandfather Pulasthi Muni had graced the world-famous medical conferences held in those ancient days in Janasthan Pura near Pakistan. In Sri Lankan folk tales, it is said that king Ravana treated both Rama and Lakshmana with his own hand when they were badly injured on the battlefield.
The only King of Sri Lanka who managed to wipe out all the divisions among the Sri Lankan people was the Great King Ravana. Under his leadership, King Ravana managed to unite all the Sri Lankan tribes. Sri Lanka became a secular country not subject to or bound by any religious dogma, with no official religion, language or official yes men. Not only ruling Sri Lanka, he governed a vast kingdom with boundaries extending over South Asia – and was hence named Chakravarthi. In chronological records about Ravana, it is almost impossible to find a single battle fought against another community of people in order to invade their land or usurp their throne. Not a single ‘racial’ conflict is mentioned in any of those records written during his reign, though the chronicle of the Ramayana by Valmiki stereotyped him as the most evil human to have ever existed, providing an erroneous and biased interpretation of the Rama-Ravana war.
Raksh tribe believed in nature worship and universal identity without any bias for caste or creed and gender. The other tribes had deep caste divides and wanted to keep that alive. Ravana was a master of 10 vidyas or 10 forms of knowledge another symbolic representation of his infamous "10 heads". Ravana as a social refomer took this message deep down to other tribal areas albiet by force which were at odds with the social fabric.
He propogated "Raksh Neeti" which meant equality for all. The other rulers were ought to get distressed who wanted the demarcation to be preserved. Fast forwarding to famous Shurpanka's episode, Shurpanka was appointed as the "Governor" of the region where Ram , Lakshman and Sita had entered. As the present norm states, an unauthorized entry amounted to aggression, unfortunately, which was taken up by Shurpanaka. The famous "enticement" which again has been demonized by popular folk lore and TV serials is silent on this issue. In "vayam rakshamah" its beautifully argued that Shurpanka was unjustly manhandled. Imagine a girl (who happens to the queen) , in all fairness assuming asked for marriage is manhandled, beaten and have had her nose cut, its so unbecoming of a man. Our eye brows were raised recently when women were attacked at a pub, how about this now ? isnt it inhuman, firstly you enter a territory which is not yours, then you manhandle the chieftan ? and that too when she is a women, where is the culture ? . ravana avenged it with taking away Sita not just for this but as a political move, and please remember that he never ill-treated.
Rama wanted to construct the famous "sethu" and needed a pandit to do the commencement puja or ritual. The only pandit nearby was Ravana, the best amongst all. Ravana came and performed Puja for his "enemy" dutifully and blessed him. If this arrogance, be it..
Rama wanted to pick an auspicious time to start the battle. Rama needed an astrologer. Everyone unanimously suggested none other than Ravana. Heeding to the suggestion, Rama went to ravana to ask him a good time. Ravana as a great professional gave him the best muhurtha which (9 navaratris) and blessed him with "Vijaya Bhava".
Finally Rama tired of all weaponry , picked up his Brahmaastra , equivalent of nuclear weapon in modern age. This weapon technically was never supposed to be used in war as it was more of a deterrance. Ravana had this weapon as well. But seeing Rama open this weapon, Ravana did not open his Brahmastra (which he had) because he knew that had he done that , entire humanity and ecology would have been finished, imagine 2 hydrogen bombs colliding. He opted out and gladly accepted death and defeat for the larger purpose.
In fact before his death, Ravana makes a request to Rama to protect the Humanity and Ecology to its fullest !
Many slam Ravana condemning him as lustful and arrogant but I beg to disagree. If he had indeed been lustful then Sita would not have left his palace untouched by him. However, even if it had become lust, he has the sage Vishwamitra for competition in horniness! If arrogance is a crime, hang Durvasa first who was much more arrogant than Ravana and is still considered a maharishi!
I dont think that he actually lost the war!
Version 2:-
Ravanayana
Once upon a time, in a kingdom far far away there used to live a great sage named Vishrava. He fell in love with the beautiful princess of the prosperous land Lanka. They had a child, who they named Ravana.
Ravana was a child prodigy. Vishrava noticed his aptitude and knew that his son will be an exemplary scholar some day. Under Vishrava's tutelage, Ravana mastered the Vedas, the books of knowledge, and also the arts and ways of Kshatriyas (warriors). Ravana was also an excellent veena player. His love of Veena and music inspired his innovations of a new musical instrument called Ravanahatta , which we know as a violin today. Along with that he was a master in Politcal Science, Economics, Public Administration, Architecture, and Engineering, to name a few. He was an amazing Engineer and a Scientist, too ahead of his time that contemporary wise men thought his creations to be magical. It was rumored that Ravana was as intelligent as ten other humans, and hence gained his name "Dashaanana".
Vishrava was very impressed with the abilities Ravana has gained by virtue of his hard work and passion, and thought that he would make a great ruler. When Ravana returned to the kingdom of Lanka, his brother Kubera who was the king of Lanka, left the throne to Ravana. He also gave him as gift a flying chariot, called as "Pushpak Vimaan", which was built by the best of the engineers of the land using the theoretical principles developed by Ravana.
As expected, Ravana's rule turned out to be the golden period in Lanka's history. The kingdom flourished in Scientific and artistic achievements. Ravana became a patron to many talents. The stories of his golden rule reached all neighboring kingdoms, and everyone who knew of Ravana got inspired by his prowess and expertise.
The Lankans often used to come to the serene forests of Panchavati to spend their vacation midst nature. Ravana's uncle Maricha and sister Minakshi came on an expedition to study nature to Panchavati.
One day while Minakshi was wondering alone in the forest making observations, she heard a male voice. She was very fond of meeting different people from different cultures and know about them, and was very happy when she saw a handsome young man. She thought him to be a local and planned to approach him to know more about the place, people, their culture, lifestyles. Little did she know what was in store for her. She proceeded to have a chat.
Minakshi: Hey there, I am Minakshi.. Nice to meet you.
The young man: Hello beautiful. I am Ram, the crown prince of the kingdom of Ayodhya.
Minakshi: Thank you. I am so eager to know about this place. I am from the far away lands of Lanka.
Ram: Sounds good. I know all about this place and I'd love to tell about it. But what'd you give me in return.
Minakshi(thinking some joke was going on): Ok. Tell me Ram, what do you want?
Ram: You know something, you are too stunning for a Lankan piggie. Why don't you join my harem as a concubine. I think, you will be something.
Minakshi (Shocked, in disbelief turned to speak to the other young man who was standing close to them by now): Is this how you treat girls in your place?
The other guy: You have some nerves coming here and asking us "men" how to behave, Bitch. Let me give you a lesson, you bloody "dark" whore which you will remember for the rest of your life.
With this, the guy brought out a sharp knife and cut her nose and ear, which he thought was a fitting punishment for her "immoral" actions.
You will thank me someday for this lesson, the name is Laxman.
Minakshi, ran off crying with pain, bleeding all over from her wounds. When Maricha saw her in this state, he gave her some first-aid and sent her off to Lanka swiftly. He was mortified. Being an experienced man, who was well versed with the political scenario with the region, it didn't take him long to comprehend what evil has stricken them. From Minakshi's description, he knew it has to be the two princes of Ayodhya, banished from the kingdom by their father.
"You know Ram is so ruthless that he killed his father because he was banished from the kingdom. It was only the honest people of the court who were sternly against his actions and this forced him to go back to the forest. Soon, he will return to the capital and take the control from his loving and gullible brother Bharata. Who knows what will be the kngdom's fate when that day comes." The words of a local whom he had a chat with the other night flashed in Maricha's mind. When he heard this story, Maricha dismissed it as an Urban legend. But the cruelty with which his innocent niece was racially profiled, harassed and mutilated, made him terrified of the malice of these brothers. He decided to get together all his things and leave as soon as possible. But he had something else in store for him.
Meanwhile, in Lanka Ravana was startled to see the condition of his beloved sister, and got really upset when he heard of her story. Being the just ruler that he is, he decided to go to Panchavati and talk some sense in the two spoiled brats.
In Panchavati, Maricha was spotted by Ram while he was collecting his belongings for the departure to Lanka. Ram thought to himself, "This guy must be so rich, let me see what can I take.", and followed Maricha. When Maricha knew he was being followed, he used his skills of disguise for his run to safety. Ram thought he might loose track and asked for help from his brother Lakshman. Lakshman was a sadist, he was busy harassing another young female, Sita. Only this time, she was none other than his abused sister in law. He knew, him leaving her alone in the hut meant just one thing. He was almost certain she will fix the mistake she did when she decided to leave her royal life for his delinquent brother. Lakshman decided to do what he was best at, he drew three lines on his exit and threatened Sita not to cross them or the consequences will be real bad.
Ravana reached their hut and saw Sita inside. Sita had heard of Ravana. She always wanted to be with a guy like him. Whatever was left of her rational mind started reasoning. She thought to herself, "I am also a human being, not a belonging to fill one's carnal desires, that someone can 'win' in a show exclusive to spoilt princes." Her inner self revolted. She was cursing her stupidity and vanity that she had hope that after all the things Ram had done, she will be able to bring some change inside him. In this perplexed state of mind she broke down and told the story of her oppression to Ravana. Ravana asked her what he can do for her, and proposed that she comes to Lanka with him where he will help her settle down and have a respectable life according to her own terms. Suddenly, everything made sense to Sita. She decided to leave for good with this benevolent king. She saw the lines, and wiped them with her hands in rage saying a good-bye to her miseries. After listening to Sita's story, Ravana knew there was no point in talking to Ram and decided to leave. Suddenly, a deafening cry reached their ears. Ravana recognized the voice of Maricha. It didn't take him long to realize that it was the last time he will be hearing to his sound. Sita urged to leave, and leaving is what he did for her safety.
When the brothers got back to their hut, Lakshman first saw his three lines wiped. A visibly angry Lakshman went inside to punish his little sister in law for this mis-demeanor, only to find her missing. The pleasure of mugging and shooting arrows into the flesh of a "lowly" rich Lankan vanished into thin air. Ram got terribly angry with the turn of events, and both the brothers took this insult upon them. Their male ego was hurt. Ram knew, Sita didn't have all that strength of mind to elope. "She must have had some help.", he thought to himself. They captured a tribal named Jatayu, who used to dwell nearby and started interrogating him fiercely to know what he had seen. At last, unable to bear the torture, he told about Ravana and his Pushpak Vimaana. But mercy was something alien to the brothers, they beheaded the innocent helping tribal. They nurtured a vengeance against king of Lanka and thought of ways to get back at him.
Ram was no ordinary man. He was not just brawn, he was an evil genius. While wondering for his revenge, they came across Sugriva and got to know of his story. It didn't take Ram long to polarize him against his brother Vali and made them fight. Everyone knew Sugriva's army was no match for Vali's. But Ram, from the cover of trees deceitfully shot an arrow at Vali's chest assassinating him. Their was chaos, and Vali's army fled. This unexpected turn of events made Sugriva the king and made way for his alliance with Ram and Laxman. This gave Ram the much needed resource to hatch a plan against Ravan, and Sugriva being the spineless wimp supported all his exploits.
Meanwhile in Lanka, Ravana made all arrangements for the new life of the innocent lady he rescued. But, Sita was severely traumatized by the horrors of her past. She was having tremors and sleepless nights. Ravana got her into the finest community center of his kingdom, the Ashoka Vatika. There were attendants to look after all troubled inhabitants and Sita was treated with all the care like any other local.
Ram sent his commander from Sugriva's army Hanumana to Lanka. Hanuman was a brave and ruthless warrior. But the commands from Ram were clear, "Don't try to rescue Sita. I don't care for her safety and well being as much as I care for my vengeance. Just estimate their power, do as much damage as you can and get back." Hanuman entered into Lanka, sneaked inside Ashoka Vatika, met Sita and gave her a ring having the initials of Ram. To his utter surprise, Sita went into a relapse as the tales of her torture flashed in front of her eyes. Not knowing what to do, Hanuman left the place. He was bedazzled by the wealth of Lanka, and finally gave in to his sadistic side. He was a successful commander, who never lost in a battle, never failed his assignments. They said he was as fast as a gush of wind. A voice echoed within his mind, "What's the meaning of all these achievements of mine if there is no plunder." He lit a fire and started burning off the buildings in a residential area in Lanka to his heart's content and then returned with his own misplaced sense of self-righteousness.
Ram was elated after learning of Hanuman's pillage in Lanka. He got confident, "if one of my commander, single-handedly can do this much destruction, I can certainly bring the Lankans to their knees with Sugriva's army. And even if there is half the wealth in Lanka that I have heard, it will be a great bounty." He trained the army in extreme guerrilla warfare, and marched towards Lanka.
Ravana, in the other hand got busy with his administration. He was a progressive thinker, who knew how to ascend from petty feelings of regionality and do something for the whole mankind. He planned to use his knowledge for projects that will take people to places. He used his knowledge of Engineering to build a floating dam in the Indian Ocean that can facilitate trade and communications between his island empire and the Indian mainland. He was also busy documenting his lifelong research of celestial bodies in a book, he decided to name "Ravanasamhita". He was also busy designing a vehicle for space travel.
Ram and his guerrilla army, crossed the ocean taking the floating dam and marched to Lanka. Lanka was a peaceful nation and their army had never faced any war, let alone a guerrilla attack. Lot of them were killed brutally by the ruthless army of Ram, till Ravana decided to command his army. His superior knowledge of weapon technology enabled Lankan army to obliterate the hiding enemies and score a clear hand. Soon enough, it was clear who the boss was. Ravana lost his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Indrajit in the battle. After a fierce battle Ram got defeated and imprisoned by Ravana.
Back in Ayodhya when Bharata got to know of the plights of his brothers, he came in truce to Ravana and took responsibility of the actions of his brothers. Ravana moved by his brotherly love decided to let Ram and Laxman go along with all the POW, if they plead guilty and promise to not repeat the same mistakes. After a lot of cajoling from Bharata, Ram decided to ask for forgiveness. Bharata also forced him to request Sita to come with them, and so happened, until Ram played his final card of chauvinism.
"I am sorry for all my mistakes, and want you to forgive me.", Ram said to her. She didn't know how to react. Her neurons and synapses got into action deciding what she should do. Right then, Ram dropped a bombshell. "Hey, but you have been here for a long time without me. There are so many men out here, I am not sure you didn't sleep with any of them. Why don't you prove your chastity to me and then we can go back to our 'nice' life back home."
Things were never clearer for Sita. She turned with a sly smile and went back into her quarters in Ashok Vatika.
Ravana bereaved of the sufferings of his subjects and loss of his many near and dear ones, blamed himself for the damage in the war. He relinquished the throne, giving the reins to his suave younger brother Vibhishana and left in his pursuit of knowledge, with a promise to self that he will be watching his people as a watchful protector, a silent guardian till his last breath.
P.S.:
This is a story and not meant to hurt the religious beliefs of any person or group. This story is just as lurid and pulp as the original story. Most of the incidents are taken from Ramayana, but the perspective of looking at them is changed.
Source:
1. Ravana the inventor of violin Ranjan Violin
2. Soorpanakha was not a real name. Her real name was Chandranakha which meant that she has a face like the moon. This is Valmiki's description of her-
And this is what Tamil poet Kamban says-
a very beautiful woman with long hair, beautiful, fish-shaped eyes (validating her given name of "Minakshi" at birth), a slender shape and a bewitching personality.
