Man must abide by Dharma

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Man must abide by Dharma (An Article from the Religious Section of The Hindu

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

Initiatives Inc.")

 

The scriptures have laid down the guidelines for human conduct which are

classed under the general framework of Dharma. Some of the prescriptions are

obligatory for all while others are specific and are meant for a particular

group of people. The guidelines are to be followed by all individuals. The

moral fabric of a society is that of its individuals' and hence it is not

enough if one's conscience is clear regarding one's actions; man has a social

commitment also. This is the reason there are laws governing man's life in

society and everyone has to abide by it. The Ramayana underscores this truth

in several instances; in fact, the purpose of Rama's incarnation as a human

being was to show by example that it is possible for human beings to abide by

Dharma.

 

After Ravana's death Rama did not claim Sita immediately. She had to undergo a

fire-ordeal to prove Her fidelity and the exchange of words between them as

depicted in the Ramayana in this context is a thought-provoking lesson to

humanity. Sita was the incarnation of the Divine Mother and an aspersion cast

on Her sounds preposterous. So why did Rama make Her undergo this ordeal?

Rama's own words gives the significance of His action, ``I too know Sita, the

daughter of Janaka and a princess of Mithila, to be undivided in Her

affection to me and agreeable to my mind. Ravana could not violate this

large-eyed lady either, protected as She was by her own moral power, any more

than a sea would transgress its bounds. In order, however, to convince the

denizens of the three worlds, I, whose sheet-anchor is truth, ignored Sita

even while She was entering the fire.''

 

In his discourse Mukkur Sri Lakshmi Narasimhachariar said, the ordeals the

Divine Mother underwent for the sake of humanity were innumerable. In Her

aspect as Bhu Devi She is the very personification of patience and compassion

and intervenes on behalf of mankind to the Lord who as the dispenser of man's

Karma has to be impartial. She beseeches the Almighty to pardon those who

surrender to them.

 

It was during the incarnation as Varaha (boar) when the Lord saved the Earth

that Bhu Devi prayed to Him to show an easy path to humanity for liberation.

The present Kalpa (epoch) is called Varaha Kalpa after this incarnation and

the Almighty has given His assurance that human beings can attain salvation

by chanting the Divine names, worshipping Him with flowers and by

surrendering to Him accepting Him as the means to liberation. She continues

to mediate between the erring humanity and the Lord and seeks His pardon for

all human lapses.