The Difference Between Rama and Ravana

"See the difference between Rama and Ravana. Both were equally eminent intellectually great scholars. Ravana was a great man. Rama was a good man. The difference between greatness and goodness should be understood. Ravana, out of egoism and uncontrolled desires, misused his knowledge and brought about his ruin. Rama used his knowledge for the benefit of the people and made them happy. Ravana did not digest his knowledge properly and suffered from the consequences of indigestion. The difference between Rama and Ravana was that of between righteousness (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma). Rama and Ravana are present in each human being. When a person takes to unrighteous courses, he becomes a Ravana. When people pursue the path of truth and righteousness, they become Ramas." Sai Baba, SS. 4/96, p. 93 -

"Ravana was the master of the sixty-four types of knowledge, but he could not receive God's grace. Since he did not put his knowledge into practice, he suffered from 'indigestion'. That resulted in the sickness of sensual desires. Rama also learnt all the sixty-four types of knowledge and He put them into practice. Ravana was interested only in aggrandizement whereas, Rama was interested in practice." Sai Baba, SS. 11/98. p. 293

Ravana

"Ravana was not an ordinary person. He belonged to the lineage of Brahma. He was the brother of Kubera, the god of wealth. He had a brother, Kumbhakarna, who was very powerful. He had a son by name Indrajit, who had conquered mighty Indra, the king of gods. He was the master of four Vedas and six Shastras (scriptures). Such a powerful and highly educated Ravana could not get rid of the darkness of ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of birth and death. When Hanuman set Lanka ablaze, though there was light all around, Ravana's heart was filled with darkness." Sai Baba. SS. 11/98, p. 289

Reference: http://www.ssso.net/rama/rama-10.htm