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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Validity of doctrine of surrender

 

CHENNAI, DEC. 5. A perfect democratic set-up to discuss and solve

even controversial issues was in vogue in ancient times. Those

were the days when an emperor or a king or ruler was the sole

authority to decide any dispute; still he used to convene an

assembly of people's representatives and made them express their

views.

 

Once a crucial question arose whether a person from an enemy's

camp, who had deserted the place of his stay and came to a source

of help and protection, could be relied and admitted. One such

refugee took a bold step in discarding everything with the only

hope that the person whose refuge he sought was generous and

known for his mercy. This king could have decided by himself but

he took the opinions of all those with him though everyone

rejected the very idea stating that the newcomer was a spy. Only

one leader supported him and ultimately the person was received

with open arms.

 

This happened in the Ramayana when Rama, having His camp on the

seashore embraced Vibhishana who gave up his brother Ravana and

sought asylum from the former. This episode presents the validity

of the doctrine of surrender and God's benevolent gesture.

 

The function of the epics is to interpret for the benefit of

ordinary people the great truths which are lying hidden. The Lord

will not fail to give asylum to anyone who sought it and is

always compassionate and just.

 

Rama's faithful adherence to this principle was that by His own

``saranagati'' to Sugriva and sea-god, He made it clear that the

custodian of moral law was also bound by it. The God-incarnate's

categorical assurance that He would never spurn a friendly

approach even by one not free from blemish is the hope for every

human being. Rama welcomed Vibhishana and those who accompanied

him.

 

In a discourse, Sri S. Ramakrishnan and Smt. Perundevi Seshadri

said that Lord in Vaikunta came down to earth as a human and

chose to be born to Emperor Dasaratha because of the latter's

accumulated merits, disproving the view among some that he was

childless because of sins. The epic highlights the extraordinary

devotion of Anjaneya, who chanting Rama's names and totally

depending on the strength derived therefrom, overcame several

obstacles, located Sita kept captive in a powerful enemy's island

and prevented a tragedy that could have happened. A deep study of

the messages studded in this garland, the epic with 24,000

verses, bringing out the need to uphold virtue at all costs, will

present one with the mysterious power to refine and elevate one's

outlook in life.

 

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