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

 

One's word must be kept at all costs

 

CHENNAI, JUNE 16. The importance of keeping one's word has been

underscored in the scriptures and men of character try to adhere

to their promise at all costs. It becomes apparent that it is

essential to deliberate on the consequences of one's speech

before speaking without giving room to retract it later. Hence,

hasty utterance for the sake of pleasing someone can land one in

trouble. The Ramayana illustrates this in the context of Sage

Viswamitra's visit to Dasaratha's court with the intention of

asking Rama to accompany him.

 

Without any inkling of the reason of the sage's arrival in

Ayodhya, the king made haste to welcome him and extend him

hospitality as befitting an emperor of his stature. Dasaratha

offered even before he expressed his mind, ``I consider your

advent precisely as welcome as securing nectar in one's own

hands... You need not entertain any doubt about the success of

your mission. I shall fully accomplish your object, for being an

honoured guest, you are a veritable god to me.''

 

In his Harikatha, Kalyanapuram Sri R. Aravamudan said that the

king fainted on hearing the purpose of Viswamitra's visit. The

sage had asked him to send Rama with him to protect his sacrifice

from being desecrated by the ogres, Subahu and Maricha. He

trembled even at the very thought of parting with Rama and when

he came to know that it was to fight with two fierce demons, his

concern for Rama's safety became paramount as his parental love

made him blind to the fact that Rama was God-incarnate. When he

regained consciousness, Dasaratha tried coaxing the sage, ``Rama

is less than sixteen years old. I do not perceive his capacity to

contend with the Rakshasas. I shall myself guard your sacrifice

and shall contend with the Rakshasas...'' He refused to hand over

Rama which infuriated the sage.

 

Alleging his retraction to be a breach of his promise which was

unworthy of a scion of the lineage of Raghu, Viswamitra, who was

known for his temper, retorted that he would return without Rama.

Vasishta who was observing this exchange intervened to prevent a

calamity and convinced Dasaratha that in Viswamitra's care, Rama

would not come to any harm and that he should not go back on his

word by letting his affection for his son blind him. He convinced

him saying, ``Though capable of punishing the Rakshasas himself,

it is for the sake of doing good to your son Rama that the sage,

Viswamitra, has sought you and solicited Him as a loan.'' His

preceptor's words had the desired effect and Dasaratha

immediately summoned Rama and instructed Him to accompany the

sage and Lakshmana followed Him like a shadow.

 

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