WOMEN WHO SAW RAMA AS PARAMATHMA

[Guest guest]

This article was written by my father A.Krishnan,

author of Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam in Nrisimhapriya

 

 

 

Sages could see Rama as Paramathma because of the

extraordinary powers acquired by them doing rigorous

penance. But there were some women characters in

Ramayanam, who also knew Rama as Paramathma. These

women were not known to have done penance. How did

they then acquire this tremendous power? There is no

answer to this question.

 

We shall first take up the study of Sumithra. She was

the second queen of King Dasaratha. There is no

mention in Ramayanam about the ancestral details of

Sumithra and under what circumstances she got married

to Dasaratha. There is mention of her cordial

relationship with Kausalya, the first among the three

queens. The type of Sumithra’s relationship with

Kaikeyi had not been touched upon. Sumithra was seen

in the company of Kausalya on important occasions,

before as well as after Rama’s exile to the forest.

 

When Dasaratha offered the divine Payasam to the three

queens, Kausalya got it first and exactly half the

quantity. Sumithra then got one fourth quantity. One

eighth went to Kaikeyi. One eighth remained

undistributed. Dasaratha thought over and then he gave

again to Sumithra one eighth, which was left over.

Thus Sumithra got Payasam in two instalments, because

of Dasaratha’s particular contemplation. Sage Valmiki

does not explain what exactly was Dasaratha’s logic.

 

There is scope to comment on this act. No doubt

Sumithra was blessed to beget twins because she drank

Payasam twice. Why was Kausalya, the first among the

queens or Kaikeyi, the most favourite queen not chosen

for this special dispensation? To venture to comment

on this aspect, we find having been stated in

Ramayanam that Dasaratha would be blessed with four

sons. Sumanthara, the great and wise minister had

conveyed this information to Dasaratha and his source

of information had links with the most sacred Sage

Sanathkumara. Dasaratha had, therefore, to offer

Payasam twice to one of the three queens. His logic

might have run on these lines. Kausalya’s son would be

the natural choice to succeed him. So, it would be

desirable to avoid Kausalya bearing twins. Then,

Dasaratha might have taken into account that there was

a pledge to offer the kingdom to the son to be born to

Kaikeyi. He might have been fully conscious of

Kaikeyi’s obstinate nature. So, twins to Kaikeyi might

aggravate any possible complication twofold. Sumithra

was a sobre woman, very wise, far-sighted and well

natured. Dasaratha’s choice, therefore, might have

fallen on her. This is only a guess. Sumithra was

blessed with twins namely Lakshmana and Satrugna. They

both had divine elements within them, but they

exemplified as Bhagawathas, one as a direct servant of

Bhagavan, and the other as servant of a servant of

Bhagavan. Sumithra played a notable part in assigning

them with these roles in which they distinguished,

unsurpassed by any.

 

Sumithra is not appearing in many scenes in Ramayanam.

There are only two scenes in which she figures. In

both these two scenes, she depicts what extraordinary

qualities she possessed, to reveal her magnanimity,

spirit of detachment, wisdom and more importantly her

ability to recognize in Rama, his divinity.

 

Rama had decided to leave for the forest, accompanied

by Sita and Lakshmana. Sita’s insistence on

accompanying Rama was natural because a wife could

never be separated from the husband. Lakshmana’s

prayer to brother Rama to let him go to the forest, to

serve Rama was unique. Such fraternal sentiments are

very rare. The three had taken leave of Dasaratha as

also Kausalya. They both poured out emotions and

showed uncontrollable grief. Then came the turn to

take leave of Sumithra. When Lakshmana fell on her

feet, Sumithra, as mother, initially wept. She kissed

her son on his head. She then told him,

“ You are deeply attached to those near and dear to

you. Son! You are born to live in the forest! Rama is

adored by the world. He is your elder brother too. You

have my permission to go along with him. Attend on him

diligently giving no scope for the slightest lapse.

Dharma of a good man is to be submissive to the

elders. He is your refuge in prosperity as well as in

adversity. This is the tradition of the race to which

you belong. To be of service to the elders,

performance of religious rites strictly on permissive

lines and even to give up life if necessary in

battles, are the qualities of the one born in this

race.”

 

Sumithra further exhorts Lakshmana with these words,

having in mind Lakshmana’s purposeful life, his well

being, his triumph, his success in vanquishing enemies

and more than anything else for auspicious prevalence.

She said,

 

‘RAMAM DASARATHAM VIDDI, MAAM VIDDI JANAKATHMAJAYAAM

AYODYAAM ATAPAAM VIDDI, GACCHA THATHA YATHA SUKHAM.’

 

This is one of the famous slokas in Ramayanam, very

often quoted. The literal meaning of this sloka is,

‘Know of Rama as Dasaratha. Know of Sita as me. Know

of Ayodya as the forest. Go child and be happy.’

 

In this passage, Sumithra reveals her extraordinary

qualities of showing remarkable magnanimity,

forbearance, detachment, and to render the wise

counsel to the right man at the right time. She also

strongly establishes that she had BRAHMAGNANAM, that

is awareness that Rama was Lord Narayana.

 

While the literal meaning is very apparent and

laudable straightaway, namely treating Rama(elder

brother) as father, treating Sita(elder brother’s

wife) as mother and the forest as Ayodya, it is the

inner meaning, hidden in the beautifully chosen words,

which is astonishing!

 

Rama is to be treated as Dasaratha. Lord Narayana is

known to possess this name Dasaratha also!

Sumithra says,’MAAM VIDDI JANAKAATHMAJAAYAM’.

Janakaathmaja is Janaka’s daughter and so is Sita. It

is the word MAAM which is a stroke of genius. MAAM

also means GODDESS LAKSHMI.

VAIKUNTA is also known by the name AYODYA. Vaikunta is

the permanent abode of Lord Narayana, where Goddess

Lakshmi always resides in His chest.

Sumithra thus conveys that Bhagavan and Her consort

are moving to their own place of eternal bliss.

Commentators, therefore, attribute to Sumithra her

innate quality of seeing Paramathma in Rama and

Goddess Lakshmi in Sita, citing this sloka in support

of their interpretation.

 

We see Sumithra again with a brilliant conversation in

which she mentions in an outstanding way and more

explicitly that Rama was a Paramathma. After Rama,

Sita and Lakshmana left for the forest, Dasaratha lost

consciousness for some time. When he regained

consciousness, he insisted on himself being taken to

Kausalya’s mansion. As Kausalya was by his side,

Dasaratha was asking her to gently touch him and run

her fingers on his body, believing that such a gesture

on her part would give him some solace. Kausalya,

unable to control her emotions,, taunted Dasaratha

using strong words. She posed that Rama could even

have been retained in Ayodya, begging for alms!

Sumithra who was also with them and who was rooted in

Dharma, consoled Kausalya saying,

“Your son is abound with noble qualities. He is

Purushothama( meaning noblest among men but used as a

terminology to refer to Lord Narayana). He is a

compassionate person. Why lament and weep for such a

person? Great Lady! Your son, possessing vast strength

as he does, has sacrificed the kingdom in order to

establish his father as one adhering to Truth. Rama,

by remaining steadfast, strong-willed and pure, has

excelled all those who have preached and practiced

Dharma, which is highly rewarding in life and there is

no cause to grieve for him. Lakshmana who is

compassionate to all living beings, by his splendid

service, upright conduct and faultless attention is

there to support and this great soul is indeed

blessed! Sita, who is always intent to give comfort to

Rama, is there in the forest with him, knowing fully

what hardships are there to face and follows Rama

faithfully. One who is the lord of the world, who has

perfect self control, who remains firmly with the

principles of Truth, who is adored for exhibiting

splendid personal qualities, is your son. Is it

correct to consider that he has not achieved anything

more? Taking into account Rama’s immaculate purity,

eminent greatness, great background, Sun God will not

cast burning rays on him! Wind God, who blows out

normally in ample measure in forests in all seasons,

will spread cool breeze causing Rma pleasure and thus

be submissive to him! Moon God will spread cool rays

on faultless Rama, as he sleeps, as caring father

would gently embrace his fond son! Lord Brahma(

indirectly referring to Sage Viswamithra) has given

mighty weapons to Rama, the great warrior and tiger

among men! He possesses immense strength by birth.

Though he lives in the forest, it is as though he

lives in a mansion, with determined mind. The whole

Earth is bound to be amenable to him, who vanquishes

all his enemies. Rama is so fascinating and so

valourous and as he is endowed with all supremely

noble qualities, he is bound to regain the kingdom

eventually, on completing the forest life. Great Lady!

Rama is God to gods! He is the greatest among all

beings! He is Sun to Sun! He is Fire to Fire! He is

Lord of all lords! He is Wealth to Goddess Lakshmi! He

is first among those endowed with fame! He gives new

dimensions to tolerance. What can do him any harm,

whether he is in the city or in the forest? Rama of

such eminence, will soon be crowned with all the three

namely, Earth, Sita and Goddess of Wealth! What could

be the beyond the reach of the one, the guiltless

warrior, for whom all the people of Ayodya, showed

their immense grief and shed tears, while seeing him

clad in wood barks and departing for the forest,

accompanied as he was by Goddess Lakshmi in the form

of Sita? Lakshmana, who is eminent as a bowman,

wielding weapons, swords and arrows, stands in front

of Rama and walks with valour. What is it that cannot

be achieved by Rama? I tell you with all vehemence in

the name of Truth. Shed grief and gloom. You will see

Rama completing his forest life and returning. You

will see again your son like the rising Moon, falling

at your feet and bowing you with his head. You will

see him getting crowned and ruling the great kingdom

and your eyes will be drenched by joyful tears.

Nothing inauspicious will happen to Rama. You need

have no grief nor sorrow. You will see him soon in the

company of Sita and Lakshmana. Do not give scope for

misgivings to haunt your heart. You are the one to

console others. For such a woman like you, Rama is the

son. There is no one in the world who is superior to

Rama, who knows and treads on sacred path”

 

Sumithra thus refers to Rama as Lord Narayana Himself.

Her words are so self revealing that any commentary is

hardly needed. It is remarkable that Rama’s

step-mother Sumithra saw in him all the features of

God but neither own mother Kausalya and father

Dasaratha who gave birth to him had this realization!

 

 

 

 

________

How much free photo storage do you get? Store your friends 'n family snaps for

FREE with Photos http://in.photos.