Realising that Ravana would pass away in a few minutes; many sages, scholars and noble men came to Ravana and asked him, ‘O Ravana! You performed many good deeds as well as evil deeds. What is the most memorable thing that you have discovered in your life?’ To this Ravana replied, ‘Sirs! Do not delay the noble acts you want to perform at any time. Put into action whatever noble thoughts and feelings that arise in your heart instantaneously. Procrastination is the thief of time. It is dangerous to delay.
I thought of connecting the earth and heaven with a ladder. I wished to turn the saline water surrendering Lanka into sweet water. I wished to bring comfort and solace to residents of Hell. Though I decided to do these things, I delayed acting, Thereafter; I could never succeed in doing them. Translate into action whatever good resolve arises in your minds. We waste our time in postponing the good deeds. We should be ever ready to put into action all the good thoughts that arise in the mind.’ This is the noble advice that Ravana gave to people who came to him at the fag end of his life. Since he delayed the performance of good deeds, it brought disaster to him. (SSB 2002, pp. 99-100)