THE VAANARA'S DOUBT

HAVING committed a sin and run into danger, Raavana did not see how to extricate himself. Like other kings in a quandary, he called a council for consultation. Many spoke flattering words. Only two spoke harshly.

One said: "You have committed a fault. But I will give up my life for you." This was Kumbhakarna.

The other, Vibheeshana, said: "You have committed a sin, but there is still time for repentance and escape from consequences. If you take this right and wise course, we shall all escape destruction and live happily. Restore Seeta and seek pardon of Raama."

"Never," said Raavana.

"Then our ways part and I leave you," said Vibheeshana.

In a conflict of duties, each one follows his own nature. All cannot follow one and the same path.

Raavana's self-indulgent vanity would not let him admit his error or retrace his steps. Very rarely does one who has committed, a sin confess defeat. It requires some courage of a bad sort to commit a sin; but it requires much greater courage of a noble kind to confess it.

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