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This article describes the role of destiny in human life using an illustration

from Ramayana. Even the Lord when He manifests as a human being is not exempted.

I am quite sure that many members may have alternate view points regarding the

role of 'freewill' and 'destiny' in human life. Please feel free to express your

view points and we can all clarify our doutbs once more!

 

warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

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This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

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

 

Man cannot thwart destiny's design

 

CHENNAI, NOV. 8. Man is the child of destiny. What he has to

enjoy in this life has been determined by his actions in previous

lives. This birth is the result of Karma that has started

yielding result and hence it is not possible to thwart what is

destined to happen in life. As long as life unfolds according to

one's expectations one tends to become complacent that one has

total control over one's life. But it is only when there are

setbacks and travails that a person realises that he is only a

puppet in the hands of a higher power which controls the lives of

men. The Ramayana highlights this truth in the context of Rama's

exile to the forest on the eve of His coronation. Even the

Supreme Being did not exempt Himself from this rule when He

assumed the human form.

 

Nobody was aware of the developments in the night when Kaikeyi

had sought the boons from Dasaratha that he had promised on an

earlier occasion, which reversed the entire course of events that

followed. Manthara's machinations had transformed her so totally

that she failed to heed to either reason or appeal to her sense

of pity. The entire kingdom was waiting in anticipation with all

arrangements readied and when there was no sign of Dasaratha,

Rama without proceeding to the coronation hall went straight to

Kaikeyi's palace to seek His father's blessings.

 

In his Harikatha, Kalyanapuram Sri R. Aravamudan said that it was

common to describe Rama as the ideal son who obeyed His father

implicitly but the epic bore out that it was Kaikeyi's wishes He

fulfilled. When it became apparent to Kaikeyi that Dasaratha was

too overwrought to even speak coherently she decided to apprise

Rama about what had transpired between them so that her intention

would be fulfilled. Knowing Rama's dutiful nature she told Him

that His father wished to say something to Him and He immediately

responded, `` You are My father as well as My mother. I am

waiting to carry out your wish. Please command Me.''

 

The Kamba Ramayana notes that when Kaikeyi mouthed the cruel

words usurping His rightful throne and banishing Him to the

forest, Rama's face which resembled a red lotus prior to hearing

her words, became brighter and vanquished a blooming lotus. Rama

replied that even if His father had not said these words He would

obey her instructions. Kamban underscores that when Rama went to

take leave of His mother, Kausalya, He went alone pulled by fate

and Dharma followed Him sorrowfully.

 

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