Ramayana and Mahabharata are two major epics of ancient India. Both these epics unravel certain lessons of life, both for society and oneself. 

Ramayana, (Ram which means God + Ayana which means Path), is one of the largest epics in the world with 24,000 verses divided into 6 kaands, which tell us about the “Journey of Lord Rama.” The journey which would be incomplete without the mention of “Ravana” the bad guy!

But, was Ravana really a bad guy? 

Ravana was the grandson of Brahma, the creator of the universe, and son of sage Vishrava making him part of an august lineage. He was a scholar and had an arbiter of taste for arts. However, even with all accomplishments, he is considered the bad guy.

An all-consuming ego turned Ravana against himself. He became a classic example to show that one quality can drag you down. It was his ego which made him the toxic person of his own life.

He could have repaired the damage he did by abducting Sita, but his ego didn’t allow him to do so, which later became his cause of death.

Would things have been different if Ravna would have realized that he was the toxic person in his own life?

Do you feel half of your problems will be solved if you are more self-aware? Are you sure, it’s not you who is creating problems in your life?

How do you find, if you are a toxic person?

Do you resonate with any of the statements below?

• Anybody’s logical argument often faces the wrath of your stubbornness and insults

• You are in constant competition with the others

• You focus on the negative in a story rather than the positive

• Love is an expression you show only when in need

• Apologizing to someone else is not your strongest trait

• You have a constant feeling that you have let yourself down

• Fundamentally you connect with very few people, as a result, you make only few friends about which you are very possessive.

• There is an urge to fix everything because rejection is not your cup of tea

• Your version of truth is to be said and accepted everywhere

The only way to master your emotions is to feel them. So,

• First, understand your toxic behaviour and then acknowledge it (Acceptance is the key)

• Second, start having conversations which scare you

• Third, stop focusing on validations, start looking for constructive criticism

• Fourth, stop creating an unwanted trauma for yourself in the need to fix every relationship you have been part of, accept the truth of their existence, accept people with their flaws, because at the end of the day, no one is perfect

Doing the right thing is never easy! Accepting and understanding our own toxic behaviour helps one to grow. 

Be selfish in the sense, ask for your time, and work on yourself. No book, no person, can actually guide you through this, the only person who can help you to bring in the change is YOU!!

In conclusion, empathy, kindness will be your traits, when you become the light bulb of hope and rainbow of joy.