Lord, the Repository of Excellences:

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Lord, the Repository of Excellences: (An Article from the Religious Section

of The Hindu taken with permission: "Copyrights 2000 The Hindu & Tribeca

Internet Initiatives Inc.")

 

The opening refrains of the Ramaayan question whether there was anyone who

combined in him both virtue and power, who was truthful, blameless and

blemish-less in his life; wise, who never allowed anger to get the upper hand

and who had the good of all beings at heart. The reply to these queries

raised by Valmiki was given by Sage Naarada mentioning how Raam, (Paramaatmaa

in human form) was the repository of all noble qualities like towering

intellect, knowledge of the intricacies of the law of righteousness, was ever

disciplined, sweet-tempered and always poised.

 

Among the 16 specific glorious traits described, one related to the usual

habit of an ordinary being, who is apt to get enraged even under normal

circumstances. ``Raam conducts Himself always equally. In forbearance, He is

the peer of the earth.'' The 13th answer refers to the Lord's control over

anger which usually blurs the vision of even astute and outstanding men.

Narada says: ``Raam has conquered anger and treats all alike.'' Commentators

have interpreted the word ``Jeet krodh'' as one who is not destitute of anger

but that the latter should never hold mastery over a man nor possess him. He

should rather summon it when absolutely warranted. Scholars have cited

examples when Raam (the Lord as a prince living in this world) displayed His

wrath though in a mild manner.

 

Paramaatmaa becomes unhappy when His devotees who have entrusted themselves

totally to Him and who have declared that they are solely dependent on Him

and who know that He alone will extend His protection to them, are attacked by

some unruly elements and prevent them from their spiritual pursuits or

disturb their peace. In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord (again as a cowherd boy)

declared: `Mysterious are my ways. I am the same to all beings, having

neither foe nor friend. But it is My special characteristic that I love those

who submit themselves to Me and adore Me ardently and sincerely.'

 

Shri R. Kannan Swamigal in a discourse illustrated this by the manner in

which the Lord saved the child, Prahlaad, when its father tortured it. He then

destroyed the latter when the child's interest was jeopardized. Prahlaad was

the greatest among His devotees and He could not but lose His temper when the

child was being injured. To the virtuous, Paramaatmaa is friendly and to the

bad forces, He is inimical. Anger is displayed by Him only when necessary.

Even when Rama was upset about Shugreev's intransigence and neglect of duty

to arrange for the search of Sita, He conveyed His wrath in a polite manner,

gently reminding him of his obligation. Again it was only when Raavan aimed a

shaft wounding Anjaneya, that Raam lost His temper. Unless compelled,

Paramaatmaa, who is ever compassionate, is never angry.