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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/04/27/stories/2002042703180800.htm)

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

God condones the sins of the penitent

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

APRIL 27

 

.. It is common to see even the most righteous of men blaming others for their

lot in life without recognising their shortcomings. It is easier to shift the

blame on others forgetting the fact that one has to reap the result of one's

actions. In such situations they are swayed by emotions like hate, anger and

sorrow and take decisions without thinking of the consequences. Ravana's

reaction to the death of his son Indrajit in the battlefield is a case in point.

 

When his ministers reported the fall of Indrajit at the hands of Lakshmana, the

valiant king who had conquered the entire world was inconsolable in grief and

his lament ultimately turned into anger. It did not occur to him even then to

realise his own folly of abducting another man's wife, which was the cause of

all the sorrows that befell him. Instead he resolved to finish off Sita as he

reasoned that She was the cause of his son's end. Grief and anger clouding his

mind, Ravana seized his sword with the intention of immediately putting his

resolve into action and rushed straight to the Ashoka grove where Sita was held

captive, his wife, Mandodari, and his ministers following him.

 

In his discourse, Sri Goda Venketeswara Sastri said a good natured and

intelligent minister of Ravana had to reason with him to make him desist from

his resolve when he saw Sita frightened. He pointed out, "How on earth do you, a

ten-headed monarch, a younger brother of Kubera, seek to put Sita to death in a

fit of anger casting righteousness to the winds? Ever since you completed the

vow of celibacy essential for the study of Vedic lore, you have remained engaged

in the religious observances incumbent on you. How then do you deem fit to kill

a woman, you valiant king of ogres? Vent your wrath on Rama instead in an

encounter." This advice tendered by a friend convinced Ravana and he withdrew

immediately.

 

The instance of Rama accepting Vibhishana into His fold even though he was

Ravana's brother, on the other hand, illustrates the Lord's magnanimity and that

He is ever ready to condone the faults of anyone who repents his mistake. His

words of promise at this instance is a perennial beacon of hope to humanity, "I

vouchsafe security against all living beings to him who comes to me only once

and seeks protection from Me, saying "I am Yours"_ such is My vow. Be he

Vibhishana or Ravana himself, security has already been granted in his favour by

Me."

 

 

 

 

 

 

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