Vali Slain

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees,

The subject under discussion: "Vaali Slain" has arisen because of our

common perception of a conflict in the observance of Dharma in many

tricky situations. Speaking generally, how do we know that we are

functioning within the framework of Dharma when we deal with

conflicts in our every-day life?

The lapses portrayed in the Puranic stories cause genuine doubt in our

minds about the strict observance of the rules of Dharma.

For example:

Noble Bharata did not observe the injunction "matru devo bhava" and

chided his mother Kaikeyi using abusive words, for sending Rama to

the forest thereby also causing the death of Dasaratha.

Vibhishana deserted his brother Ravana and joined his enemy Rama.

Sugreeva plotted and succeeded in killing his brother Vali, taking the help of Rama.

The Pandava brothers restrained themselves due to the Rules of

contract and raja dharma and thereby allowed their wife Draupadi to

be humiliated in open court.

Ignoring kshatriya dharma, Arjuna at first turned against waging war

with the kauravas because of the Dharmic rule against killing one's

own kin and guru but later, on Krishna's advice expounding the

superior dharma, took active part in the war and killed his close

relatives and gurus.

In this medley of rules relating to Dharma, how does one get out of

confusion and who is to guide the common folk like us who do not have

a Krishna by our side to guide us on the right path?

The answer is perhaps contained in the sloka "sarva dharmaan parityajya maamekam sharanam vraja".

Recognising our natural confusion, the Lord advises us to rise above

the confused mind, to abandon all our ordinary concepts relating to

the conflicts in the codified dharmic rules and rely only upon Him

who resides as the inner Self in us. He seems to be telling us:

"I am not far, far away. I am always closest to my devotees. You may

not feel my presence due to your other preoccupations and

forgetfulness. But you can hear me in deep silence if only you still

your constantly chattering mind through meditation and devotion to

me. You shall then know without doubt what your true dharma is in any

situation. Act according to this divine knowledge and you shall be

absolved of all common concepts of Paapa (Sin) relating to such

action. Believe me, this is the only sure way."

sarva dharmaan parityajyamaamekam sharaNam vrajaaham tvaa sarva paapebhyomokshayishyaami maa shuca.

Dasan

Krishnaswamy M.K