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

 

Sages' untiring efforts for prevalence of peace

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 4. Individuals who are acknowledged of possessing

extraordinary merits will be seen making genuine efforts to bring

about rapprochement when two groups or persons are involved in

confrontation. Their main concern will be to ensure that peace

prevails and see that mutual differences are ironed out. Such a

tendency cannot be seen in others. On the other hand, they may

take delight or even encourage quarrels. It will also be noticed

how the decision taken by men of experience and maturity will

result in benefits to both the parties. That is because of their

practice of religious duties, a process that had enabled them to

acquire special powers. They derive the authority by Divine grace

and they feel that they have a responsibility towards others in

the society to see that there is amity. The Ramayana presents the

picture of one sage commanding an emperor to yield to a request

of another of his clan and the latter conferring several boons to

the princes who accompanied him.

 

Sage Viswamitra, though he was a king, undertook grim penance and

went through rigorous exercises to conquer temptations and

weaknesses and become a mighty sage, equipped with spiritual

powers and authority. He visited the court of Emperor Dasaratha,

praised his qualities and ultimately sought his permission to

take Prince Rama with him to destroy demons who were defiling the

place where sages enjoyed a solemn atmosphere and were

obstructing their duties. Dasaratha hesitated to depute his young

son and there arose a situation when the emperor and the sage

held to their respective views. It was the family guide and

mentor, Vasishta, who told the former that Rama should be deputed

with Viswamitra and that it would benefit the latter. Here Poet

Kamban points out the magnanimity of one distinguished preceptor

to declare that the other sage, a guide like him, could confer on

Rama certain boons, thereby accepting Viswamitra's superiority.

 

In his lecture, Sri Sukhi Sivam said to enable God-incarnate Rama

to carry out His task of re-establishing moral order,

safeguarding the interests of pious men and destroying evil, the

sage showed Him and His brother Lakshmana about the manner in

which the demons had indulged in devastation and urged them to

slay a demoness. He taught them Mantras to get rid of hunger and

fatigue. Viswamitra gave training to them to stand and face any

danger or contingency, being aware of the arduous task ahead in

this incarnation.

 

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