Page 84 - Shri Venkateswara Book

up and forget the process of selfrealization, the Lord
certainly takes all the opulence away.” (SB 10.88.8)
Material opulence and power may divert one’s
attention away from spiritual life. This is confirmed
in the Bhagavad-gita, “In the minds of those who
are too attached to sense enjoyment and material
opulence, and who are bewildered by such things,
the resolute determination for devotional service
to the Supreme Lord does not take place.” (Bg 2.44)
One loses the determination for spiritual life by the
development of false prestige by thinking he is the
owner and master of everything he sees. This was
Ravana’s delusional mentality. He thought he was so
powerful that he was invincible. He was convinced
he could kidnap the eternal consort of Rama
with impunity.

Ravana tries to seduce Vedavati
Ravana had received a curse earlier in his life by
which he could not defile a woman forcibly. If he
did, he would immediately die due to the curse of
a Brahmin. Ravana’s only recourse was to convince
women to surrender to his will. He tried every means
possible to entice the Maya Sita. He offered her gifts
of opulent clothes, jewelry, promises of heavenly
pleasures, cosmic travel in his super airplane, the
Pushpaka, and anything else she desired if she
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