India's two major epics are Ramayana and Mahabaratha. Former teach us about 'How to live' and the later tells about 'How Not to live'. Both has Hero(s) and Villian(s).
Ramayana's root cause is about Abducting another person's wife.
Mahabaratha's root cause is about Acquiring another person's wealth.
Ramayana's Villian is Ravanan.
Mahabaratha's Villian is Dhuryodanan.
But, neither of them are born Villians!!
If we ignore their actions and interactions with the Heros of these epics, they are considered to be great leaders and kings.
Ravan was mentioned to have 10 heads - it has to be inferred as his mastery in 10 different skills.
- He is the third person in Indian history to have eswaran as his surname - other two individuals are Lord Vigneshwara and Lord Saneeshwara.
- He is a master musician and poet, also undefeatable in those skills.
- His poet praising Lord Shiva is one of an important poem to worship Lord Shiva.
- He is undefeatable even by the gods!
- His wife is a 'pathni' - as pure as Seetha is.
- His son was the mightiest warrior after his father, blessed by many Gods.
Dhuryodana, after his death in war, went to heaven directly - per Mahabaratha itself.
- He is worshiped as one of the best rules by the people in his kingdom, who never saw a famine or struggle during his rule.
- He was adored as a Friend by the undefendable Karna.
- His kins and gurus never left him at any cause, such was his kindness and love towards them.
- Lord Krishna's elder brother, the mighty Balarama's favorite student is Dhuryodhana and not Bhima (one of the Pandava's - heros of Mahabaratha)!
How such a individuals be doomed to be Villians, plainly? What were the causes that made them to turn into Villians of those epics? Or should we ask 'Who'?
Yes... we should ask 'Who'!!
Ravan's action were initiated or triggered by his sister - Soorpanagai!
Dhuryodanan's action were supported and initiated by his maternal uncle - Saguni!
Yes.. the Ravan's death is wished and planned by his sister Soorpanagai and Dhuryodanan's fall is planned by his maternal uncle Saguni.
Ravan kill Soorpanagai's lover cum newly wed husband before her eyes, due to his ego. Hence Soorpanagai woe'd to kill Ravanan. And she used Lord Ram's and Lakshman's prowess to kill Ravanan.
Soorpanagai made the roots to make envy in Ravan's heart and made him the enemy of Ram, which caused the killing of Ravanan.
Saguni's kins and kids were killed in a war caused by Dhuryodanan and hence Saguni - who was also jailed - woe'd to cause the fall of Dhuryodana's kingship. Even Saguni's limping legs were formed during the same war. The die game was played by Saguni with Pandava's on behalf of Dhuryodana - that is the reason Dhuryodana dint incur the curse of the false play - that dint block him to enter Heaven.
Saguni used the bitterness between the step brothers (Dhuryodana and Pandavas) and ignited the enmity between them, which lead to the great war and demise of Kauravas!
So its interesting to know that Ramayana and Mahabaratha may not have been formed, without these two characters. Who play a cameo in the whole epic!
