Hindu Article-Law of Karma

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Law of Karma

CHENNAI: A person who transgresses Dharma is bound to suffer for his

misdeeds. The law of Karma works surely and so it is impossible to

escape the consequences of one's actions. Ravana is a classic example

to illustrate the working of Karma. He was well learned in the

scriptures and as a result of the merit of the intense penance he did

became endowed with power and pelf. He literally took law into his

hands that the denizens of the worlds had to seek the intervention of

the Lord to be relieved of his atrocities. He erred to the extent of

abducting Sita thus becoming a slave to his senses. He had a coterie

of counsellors who out of fear pandered to his whims and fancies

without advising him properly.

In his discourse, Kalyanapuram Sri R. Aravamudachariar said

Vibhishana was an exception in his family. As Ravana failed to pay

heed to his sane advice to return Sita to Rama and seek His pardon,

he left him and sought refuge in Rama. When Sugriva's army crossed

over to Lanka, Ravana sent his ministers, Suka and Sarana to assess

the strength of Rama's forces. As these ogres were capable of

assuming other forms they entered into Sugriva's camp in the guise of

monkeys but were found out by Vibhishana and taken captive before

Rama. The Lord instantly pardoned them and set them free. Having seen

His gracious nature and also His prowess for themselves they became

emboldened to advise Ravana that Rama, Lakshmana, Vibishana and

Sugriva together would make short work of him and his army, and so

returning Sita to Him was the best recourse he had under the

circumstances. Ravana refused to change his mind and instead sent

them away, and suffered in the end.

Rama's concern for everyone, on the other hand, was touching as can

be seen from the instance when He chided Sugriva for his daring act

of knocking down Ravana's diadem from his head in anger when he

sighted him. Rama cautioned him, "Never repeat such an act any more.

Had anything happened to you, I would have had nothing to do with

Sita, Bharata, Lakshmana and Satrughna or even with My own person."

Commentators highlight that one who had befriended Him just a few

months ago mattered more to Rama than even His consort.

 

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