Ravan, the many-headed demon in the Ramayan, is the prime symbol of lust. Knowing that Sita is divine and the chaste wife of Ram, he lusts after her and carries her away to his kingdom. Note that he is so powerful that he is virtually indestructible. Certainly there is no jivatma who can conquer him. Even the devas and the lesser spirits dwell in fear of him; they cannot defeat him or even prevent his evil deeds. Mighty demons like Indrajeet, Kumbhakarn and other rakshasas are ready to die for him.
It is significant that Ravan does not fall easily even to the Divine weapons of Ram. When Ram destroys his chariot, Ravan flies high into the sky and attacks from above. He takes multiple forms to mislead the Vanar Sena. The arrows and missiles of Lakshman, Hanuman, Angad and Sugreev make no impact on Ravan. It is as if Ram wanted to teach us how difficult it is to overcome lust. Every time he cuts off one of Ravan's heads, another one grows in its place.
There is a Ravan within each one of us, the demon of lust and evil desires. We are well aware that the consequences of our impulsive, ill-thought actions are going to be destructive and disastrous; but we are impelled by dark forces that we can't resist.
Ram will fight our war for us. He will destroy the evil within. He will destroy the Ravan in our hearts. All we have to do is surrender to him.
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