Universal values applicable to all

Ravana, visiting the captive Sita, lays before her grand offers

in the hope that She will be tempted to become his wife. He
says that he has defeated both celestials and demons. He
offers priceless gems to Sita. He offers to take care of
Janaka’s needs. He says Rama is in no way equal to him. He,
Ravana, rules Lanka, but Rama is an exile. Ravana lives in an
opulent palace, in his capital city, but Rama roams the
forests. He says he is not one to suppress his desires, for he
is a demon. It is the practice of demons to capture women
they desire.

Sita points out to him that demons may not follow the

same principles as others, yet to desire another man’s wife
cannot be justified. There are some values that are universal
and no one can claim that they are exceptions to these
principles and values, said Valayapet Ramachariar in a
discourse. For example, we are urged to be honest, to do acts
of charity, to treat elders with respect etc.

But sometimes there are exceptions to these rules. For

example, it is not fair to ask a hunter or a fisherman to keep
away from taking the life of an animal or fish, because his
livelihood will then be lost. But there are some values which
are applicable to all, not just to some.

These are not a matter of choice. It is not as if someone

can say that he alone is exempt from these rules under some
special provision. So even demons must adhere to certain
basic principles, and even they cannot lay claim to another
man’s wife. And that is what Sita points out to Ravana.
Nothing can be used as an excuse for his abduction of Sita.