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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/04/23/stories/2002042301020800.htm)

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Righteousness, basis of human life

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

APRIL 23

 

.. The way of human life as envisaged by the Vedas is based on four values

Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. These are the ends which every human being has

to pursue to lead a fulfilled life in the world and also to attain the summum

bonum of human birth liberation from rebirths. While Artha and Kama

pertain to enjoyment of material goals necessary for leading a comfortable

worldly life and Moksha, the pursuit of liberation, Dharma (righteousness) is

the fulcrum on which all these values revolve. According to these scriptures all

human aspirations and actions must be wedded to Dharma. It is this truth that

the Lord established in His manifestation as Rama, by example. The Ramayana

composed by Sage Valmiki is in chaste verse and revered on a par with the Veda

itself.

 

In his discourse, Sri Goda Venketeswara Sastri said Hanuman became instrumental

in bringing about the union of the Divine Couple when he was selected as the

unanimous choice for locating Sita in Lanka where Ravana held Her captive. He is

worshipped as the very personification of success. His glory can be appreciated

from the important role he had in the events described in the Sundara Kanda,

which is named after him. His physical prowess and astuteness of mind were

coupled to his unalloyed devotion to Rama, which enabled him to surmount all the

three types of obstacles he faced during his journey to Lanka.

 

After combing the entire city and the apartments of Ravana's palace he was

successful in locating Sita in the Ashoka grove just when She was on the verge

of giving up all hopes of Her release. By reciting the events in Her life and

Rama's he instilled hope in Her heart. To prove that he was Rama's messenger he

handed the Lord's signet ring to Her and brought Her immense joy. This is the

reason why Hanuman is worshipped as the deity who gives courage and bestows

success in any human enterprise. By his foresight he earned Sita's trust and She

gave him Her ornament to be handed over to Rama as a token of their meeting and

also recounted an incident known only to Her Lord to be conveyed to Him.

Hanuman's assessment of Ravana when he invited himself to his presence is a

pointer to both his sagacity of mind and the fact that without adherence to

Dharma all other excellences one may be endowed with are in vain. Beholding

Ravana's magnificence Hanuman thought, "Had this mighty lord !

of ogres not been antagonistic to virtue, he would have proved to be a protector

of the realm of gods including Indra."

 

 

 

 

 

 

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