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Preface
5 Planes of Existence
Introduction
Five Planes of Manifestation
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RĀVANA, KING OF LANKA
A symbol of the lower principle, or desire-mind,
ruler of the lower nature of the soul (Lanka).
"Rāvana's form was a thick cloud, or a mountain, or the god of death
with open mouth. He had all the marks of royalty; but his body bore
the impress of wounds inflicted by all the divine arms in his
warfare with the gods." - MON. WILLIAMS, Indian Wisdom, p. 355.
The desire-mind is full of illusion and pride. It represents the
qualities which have no expression of the Divine life in them. The
lower principle is a ruler of the lower nature, but the higher
qualities (gods) are constantly sapping his strength.
“Ravana underwent severe austerities in the forest of Gokarna for
10,000 years, standing in the midst of five fires with his feet in
the air; whence he was released by Brahma." - MON. WILLIAMS, Indian
Wisdom, p. 356.
This refers to the desire-nature as being the love-nature reversed,
and exposed to the purifying power from five centres of energy on
the lower planes.
"Vishnu took this form of Rama at the close of the second or Treta
age, to destroy the demon Ravana." - MON. WILLIAMS, Indian Wisdom,
p. 330.
The Supreme (Vishnu) became incarnate as the indwelling Self (Rama)
in the period of involution in order that the lower principle (Ravana)
should be overcome in human souls.
"The first thought round which the grand wonder of the atonement
grows into shape is this thought of sin as a real live thing
standing forth to be fought with, to be conquered, to be killed. Not
of a mere moral weakness to be strengthened, or an intellectual
emptiness to be filled, but of an enmity to be slain, a giant to be
subdued. To meet that enmity, to slay that giant, Christ comes forth
with his wonderful nature. He undertakes a distinct and dreadful
struggle." - PHILLIPS BROOKS, Mystery of Iniquity, p. 15.
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