ThiruvahIndhrapuram RathnAngi Kaimkaryam:Part 40/SrI Raama Navami: Abhaya PradhAna Saaram postings: Part 5

[Guest guest]

SrI:

 

Dear SrI Raama BhakthAs:

 

Today , we will continue with the study the third chapter of

Abhaya PradhAna Saaram celebrated in the SaraNAgathy Vedam

alias SrImad RaamAyaNam.

 

So far we studied the examples of Abhaya PradhAnam/saraNAgatha

RakshaNam by the Lord. Let us now focus on the incidents in

AaraNya KaaNDam and KishkindhA KaaNDam .

 

AaraNya KaaNDam

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In the very first sargam of AaraNya KaaNDam , SrI Raamachandran's

arrival at DaNDakA forest is described . Lord Ramachandran ,

SitA PirAtti and LakshmaNan are recieved with warmth by

the Sages , who reside in that forest . The pious sages

performing Yaagams and pursuing righteous customs were

being tormented by the RaakshasAs . The terrorized sages

desired to be protected by the Lord and sought His refuge.

In the context of Raksha apEkshai ( desire for protection ),

there is no need to perform any Special SaraNAgathy at

the feet of one with Sakthi and KaaruNyam . The sages

advanced the reason why they should be protected by Lord

Raamachandra (Aaranya KaaNDam 1.17-21):

 

" The King being the protector of righteous and also

the resort for these people , famous , revered and

rspectable holder of the staff of justice , worshipful

protects the subjects.Oh Scion of Raghu! It is hence the king

is saluted (by all) ,enjoys the foremost delightful pleasures.

We being the residents of Your kingdom deserve protection

from You . Whether staying in the city or in the forest

(AaraNyam) , You, the Lord of people are our king.

Having given up punishment , controlled anger and conquered

the senses and having the wealth of asceticism , WE SHOULD

ALWAYS BE PROTECECD BY YOU AS A FOETUS BY ITS MOTHER".

 

The AraNya KaaNDa slOkam quoted by Swamy Desikan in

the context of the maharishis' request for protection is:

 

tE vayam BhavathA rakshyA bahvadhvishaya-vaasina:

nagarasthO vanasthO vaa Thvam nO raajA janEswara:

--AaraNya KaaNDam: 1.20

 

The Sages of the dandaka forest were seeking protection

by Lord Raamachandran from the RaakshasAs , who interfered

with their sacred observances and oppressed them. Raama

offered total protection and freedom from fear for the sages

of the Dandaka forest . This is the abhaya pradhAnam of

the Lord to the Maharishis of the Dandaka forest in AaraNya

KaaNDam .

 

KishkindhA KaaNDAm episodes

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The offer of protection to SugrivA and Vaali Vadham are

the episodes in this kaaNDam dealing with abhaya pradhAnam.

 

SugrIvA reminds of the lord of His promise of Abhaya pradhAnam:

 

prartij~nA yaa kruthA Veera ThvayA Vaali vadhE purA

saphalAm kuru thAmm kshipram lathAm kaala ivAgathA:

--KishkindhA KaaNDam:14.6-7

 

(meaning : " Pray implement wihtout dealy the vow

that was undertaken by you the other day to kill

Vaali , Oh Valiant prince , in the same way as the season

of fructification , when arrived , makes a creeper bear

fruit ".

 

Lord Raama replies to this fear-soaked request of SugrivA:

 

" I shall dispel this (very) day the fear as well as

the feeling of animosity inspired (in you) by Vaali ,

Oh monkey chief ! ....Know Vaali as killed on the battle

field this (very ) day by my might . No falsehood has

been uttered by me ever before even though I continued

in adversity for a long time , overcome as I was by greed

for piety , nor shall I tell a lie under any circumstance

(even here after); and I shall fulfill my vow ."

 

Thus Lord Raamachandra gave Abhaya PradhAnam to SugrivA,

killed Vaali with a powerful arrow and set the stage for

the location of SitA PirAtti by HanumAn and the battle with

RaavaNA at Lankaa to fulfil His vow of abhaya pradhAnam

to the DevAs referred to in the Baala KaaNDam .

 

In the next posting , we will study the episodes of

abhaya pradhAnam covered in Sundara and Yuddha KaaNDams

and complete the study of the third chapter of

Swamy Desikan's Abhaya PradhAna Saaram.

 

SrI SithA SamEtha Raamachandra ParabrahmaNE Nama:

SrI NaarAyaNa YathIndhra MahA DesikAya Nama:

Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SadagOpan