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

 

Inimitable qualities of the Supreme Being

 

CHENNAI, AUG. 18. The glory of the Ramayana besides it being the

epic composed during the lifetime of its hero, who was the Lord

incarnate, is also due to the manner in which Valmiki happened to

compose it after Sage Narada narrated His life to him. After its

composition the sage taught it to Rama's sons Lava and Kusa, and

they sang it before Rama. The tradition of reciting it and

listening to it thus started from the time of its creation and

continues to this day. Rama is not just the name of the Lord when

He manifested on the Earth as the son of Dasaratha but the name

of the Almighty Himself which was felt appropriate for Him by

Sage Vasishta when he named Him. Its merit can be appreciated

from the fact that Lord Siva Himself chants the name and has

proclaimed its merit to humanity.

 

Rama, among the countless Divine names, is hailed as the ``Taraka

nama'', that which is capable of delivering man from bondage.

Further, it points to the non-difference of Lord Siva and Lord

Vishnu, as the name has been formed with the two syllables ``Ra''

and ``Ma'' one each from the Ashtakshara and the Panchakshari

mantras describing the glory of Lord Narayana and Lord Siva

respectively. Valmiki describes Rama as the personification of

Dharma and all virtues that a human being could possess. He

remains the eternal ideal for mankind to aspire to evolve to

higher degrees of perfection.

 

In his discourse, Sri B. Sundar Kumar said that the poet-sage

utilised every opportunity to portray Rama's auspicious qualities

as the objective of the work was to focus the mind on the

auspicious qualities of the Lord. The events that led to

Dasaratha's decision to crown Rama as the prince-regent is one

such. Though he was a monarch who had the power to do what he

desired, in the best tradition of democracy Dasaratha convened an

assembly and sought the opinion of the citizens and elders in the

matter. The approval was unanimous and the king was overwhelmed

with joy that Rama had endeared Himself to one and all by His

exemplary conduct.

 

When the king wished to know the reason for such an outburst of

joy they replied, ``Rama is the righteous man in the world; He is

not only truthful but also solely devoted to truth. Virtue along

with prosperity has proceeded from Him. He knows what is right,

is true to His vow, is full of amiability and free from

censoriousness, is tranquil, comforting, polite of speech and

grateful and has mastered His senses.'' The Kamba Ramayanam notes

that Dasaratha's joy was more on hearing the citizens lavish

praise on Rama then, than when He was born.

 

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