Attachment, root of sorrows

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/11/00 8:40:52 PM EST, chandran writes:

 

<< As a virtuous king who did not compromise on Dharma he

could do nothing but bemoan his lot when Kaikeyi to whom he was partial,

sought not only the kingdom for Bharata but wanted Rama to be sent to the

forest. >>

Because of Dasaratha's strict adherence to Dharma, could there have been any

other solution, or is it to be viewed as "destiny"?

Hari Om,

Gasusima

[Guest guest]

Attachment, root of sorrows (An Article from the Religious Section of The

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

Initiatives Inc.")

 

It is human nature to act in haste and repent in leisure. The reasons for

hasty action are manifold but they can all be traced to attachment which

prods a person to do so. Like other failings and weaknesses, attachment to

one's kith and kin also creates dilemmatic situations in life when a person

who is wedded to values forsakes them and then bemoans his lot when problems

crop up. The events that led to Rama's exile to the forest just on the eve

of His coronation to the throne of Ayodhya have to be seen against

Dasaratha's action earlier. When the king married Kaikeyi, her father had

stipulated that he would give his daughter in marriage to him only on the

condition that the son born to her would succeed Dasaratha. He agreed to it

without much hesitation as he had not been blessed with any progeny until

then. The undue haste with which the king decided to act when he made up his

mind to coronate Rama also must be seen in this light.

 

His excessive attachment to Kaikeyi is apparent from the Ramayana as Dasaratha

was helpless when she goaded him to grant the boons he had given her on an

earlier occasion. As a virtuous king who did not compromise on Dharma he

could do nothing but bemoan his lot when Kaikeyi to whom he was partial,

sought not only the kingdom for Bharata but wanted Rama to be sent to the

forest. The king to whom Rama was his very life breathed his last soon after

He went in exile. All these unfortunate incidents can be traced to

Dasaratha's attachment.

 

In his discourse Sri Thiagaraja Sarma said, Dasaratha's decision to install

Rama as his regent met with unanimous approval from one and all when he

convened his assembly to seek their consent. He was endowed with so many

excellences that there was no room for any dissent on the decision of the

king. Indeed when the assembled people and princes all rose in unison

expressing their joy on hearing the king's nomination, it gave room for him

to wonder whether there was something wrong with his rule.

 

Dasaratha's joy knew no bounds for had he not delighted in his son Rama who

was the very personification of all auspicious qualities which had endeared

Him to one and all? The Ramayana elaborates in this context Rama's inimitable

traits which does justice to the very composition of the epic by Valmiki.

Among His sterling qualities two are unparalleled-His compassion towards all

and His nature of pardoning the faults of others. When Ravana stood

defenseless during the war He was magnanimous enough to tell him to come

armed the next day. He would have gladly pardoned him had he deliberated on

His intention and returned Sita to Him.

[Guest guest]

Greetings Sri Gasusima:

 

We are not the only actor in the drama of our life and

the roles of other actors decide the outcome. After

sanctioning the two boons to Kaikeyi, Dasaratha loses

his freedom. Last year the list discussed the issue of

freewill and destiny. Sri Jay gave the analogy of the

grazing cow tied to a tree with a rope. The cow's

freedom of movement is limited by the length of the

rope. Dasaratha was left with a similar situation and

all that he can do is within the boundary of Dharma.

We can speculate that it is his destiny. But this

article in the Hindu is to illustrate that Dasaratha

created his own destiny - his attachment to Kaikeyi

and also Rama. This attachment has brought the sorrow

to Dasaratha but not to Rama! Rama with total

detachment was able to act his role in the drama of

life without an iota of sorrow!

 

regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

Gasusima

 

In a message dated 3/11/00 8:40:52 PM EST,

chandran writes:

 

<< As a virtuous king who did not compromise on

Dharma he

could do nothing but bemoan his lot when Kaikeyi to

whom he was partial,

sought not only the kingdom for Bharata but wanted

Rama to be sent to the

forest. >>

Because of Dasaratha's strict adherence to Dharma,

could there have been any

other solution, or is it to be viewed as "destiny"?

Hari Om,

Gasusima