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

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Emotion that resulted in the creation of an epic

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI, DEC. 6. The scriptures lay much emphasis on eschewal of emotions like

anger and depression as they are detrimental to spiritual evolution. While this

is true for the laity such emotions in sages have often benefited humanity. An

example that readily comes to mind is the case of Sage Veda Vyasa. Even after

accomplishing the marathon task of compiling the Vedas into four, composing the

epic Mahabharata which came to be revered as the fifth Veda and writing the 17

Puranas to expound the Vedic teachings for the benefit of the lay people, the

sage did not get peace of mind he ought to have.

 

It was when he was in a melancholic mood wondering what he had left unfinished

that the celestial sage, Narada, appeared before him and bade him to compose yet

another Purana, Srimad Bhagavata, devoted exclusively to the glory of God.

Likewise, the manner in which Valmiki happened to compose the Ramayana has the

element of pathos. Narada had visited Valmiki and narrated the life and

qualities of Rama when the sage had questioned him who was the most ideal human

being living then.

 

After Narada departed, Valmiki's mind dwelt on the sage's visit as he performed

his ablutions in the River Tamasa and wandered along its bank when he chanced to

see the male of a pair of cranes being felled by the arrow of a hunter and the

female bird shrieking in agony. Greatly disturbed by the incident and without

realising what he was doing the sage cursed the hunter. The words had

spontaneously taken the form of a verse and the sage regretted having composed a

verse in anger and also the fact that his spiritual power had been wasted by

cursing someone.

 

In her discourse, Smt. Jaya Srinivasan said Valmiki's poignancy resulted in the

composition of the Ramayana in chaste verse. As the sage sat pondering over the

events that had happened, Brahma (the creator) appeared before him and he

related what had happened and also the verse that he had uttered. Brahma not

only interpreted the same verse differently to describe the life of Lord Rama

but also told him, ``Let this metrical verse be conducive to your glory alone.

You need not brood over this any more. Through my will alone has this speech

flowed from your lips... Render the sacred and soul-ravishing story of Sri Rama

into verses.'' The creator further blessed him that all events that happened in

Rama's life would be revealed to him, his account will never prove to be false

and that the epic composed by him will be popular in the world as long as

mountains and rivers remained.

 

 

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