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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Rama was compassionate even to His foes

 

CHENNAI, AUG. 3. World over, it can be seen that people who have

lost their grip over their minds and become victims of their

doom, will always reject sane counsel, as it may be unpalatable.

Sycophants who are ready to nod their heads with agreeable

suggestions abound everywhere. But well-wishers who venture to

tender genuine and wholesome advice, though invariably it is

bound to be disliked, are rare to be found and so are people who

care to listen to the same.

 

These noble sentiments valid at all times were uttered thousands

of years ago when the story of Rama was written by Valmiki, whose

every sentence is worth a precious bar of gold. While as Rama,

the Lord declared ``Even a foe who seeks peace and protection

with hands folded in supplication is entitled to compassion and I

stand by anyone who surrenders his all to My keeping.'' Krishna,

the next incarnation of the Lord, has categorically said in his

Bhagavad Gita, ``Take shelter in Me alone as the highest Divinity

and I shall then deliver you from all sorts of sins and crimes.''

 

Rama was greatly pleased with the success of Anjaneya's search

mission and the message conveyed to Him dispelled all doubts and

misgivings. In consultation with others, Rama gave the marching

orders. The God-incarnate donned the role of an ordinary human

being and hence posed as if His acts were governed by ordinary

reactions. He chose an auspicious day. That astrology had its

relevance even in those days is revealed by this move. The star

that day was the sixth from the one in which He was born. The sun

was at his zenith just then indicating success in an enterprise.

The next day presaged annihilation of foes. ``If omens do not

play as false, our victory in Lanka is a certainty'' roared

Lakshmana.

 

The impending landing of Rama's army rattled Ravana who convened

a meeting of his advisers who, in a chorus, bragged that the

enemy could be easily wiped out. But his brother, Vibhishana, as

a lone votary of virtue and good conduct, sounded a note of

warning. ``How can you belittle the magnitude of Anjaneya's

flight across the sea and the harm he has wrought in the island.

Coveting others' wives brings infamy and perverts the sense. Sita

should be sent back to Rama with honour. I speak out of brotherly

love prompted by my devotion to truth''. In his Harikatha, Sri R.

Aravamudachariar explained how Ravana caught in the trammels of

blind passion became impervious to any advice to abandon Sita. A

study of the epic will bestow the power to elevate one's outlook

in life.

 

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