Srimad Ramayana Tattva Deepika- (60) Ba:la Ka:nda

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Sri:mathe: Ramanujayanamaha!

Sri: Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam!!

{ Slokas 79 to 85 of Valmiki Sri Ramayan - Ba:la Ka:nda : Sarga 1}

 

When SriRama was about to dry the ocean with his arrows as powerful as the

sun, Samudra revealed himself before him and informed him to get a bridge built

by Nala across the ocean. Nala built the bridge according to Samudra’s words.

Sri Rama along with the other vanaras reached Lanka. He killed Ravana in the

battle. When Sitha came to him, SriRama told her that he killed his enemy to

exhibit his valor and doubted how he could accept a wife after she lived in a

stranger’s house for so long. He conversed with her in a humiliating tone. Sita

who was a ‘pathivratha’ unable to tolerate the accusing words of Sri Rama

entered the fire. The fire god ‘Agni’ brought her back personally and begged

that she was flawless.

 

Sri Rama was satisfied. All the devathas worshipped Rama for his ‘dharma

nirathi’. All the three worlds with all the chethanas and achetanas were

pleased with the accomplishment of Sri Rama. All the devathas and the sages

lauded him. Later he coronated the ra:kshase:ndra Vibhi:shana as the king of

Lanka. That day on the banks of the ocean when Vibhishana begged for refuge,

Rama intending to coronate him, took an oath that he would make him the king of

Lanka. But he was apprehensive whether he could fulfil it or not. Vibhishana did

not seek sarana:gathi for the sake of the kingdom but Rama intended to make

Vibhishana, the king of Lanka, for leaving all and seeking his refuge.

 

Sri Rama held on this long for the single reason that unless Ravana was killed

he could not fulfil the task. Now once Vibhi:shana’s was enthroned Rama became

a ‘kritha krithya’. Rama took it on himself as his duty to make him the king

after granting refuge to Vibhishana. Killing Ravana and attaining Sitha became

secondary to him. So he became a ‘Kritha krithya’ only after Vibhishana’s

coronation. Not only he became a Krithakrithya, but also he was relieved of his

worry. Rama became radiant and shone as AbhiRama. This he did for himself but

not for the sake of Vibhishana. Hence Sri Rama was elated for making him the

king of Lanka.

 

To be continued...

Jaisrimannarayana! Ramanujamma Mudumbai, Ramanuja Dasi

[Guest guest]

Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

 

Dear Bhaagavatas,

 

One point came to mind as I was reading this post, with regarding to the

following sentence.

> ... That day on the banks

> of the ocean when Vibhishana begged for refuge, Rama

> intending to coronate him, took an oath that he would

> make him the king of Lanka. But he was apprehensive

> whether he could fulfil it or not ...

 

It is true that Sri Valmiki has mentioned that Sri Rama had some apprehension

after taking the oath to crown Sri Vibeeshana as the king of Lanka. This has

been interpreted by some as Rama being worried how he was going to fulfill his

promise to Vibeeshana.

 

However, our acharyas do not agree with this stance. How can one consider Rama

whose every word rang true as one who would make a promise that he did not

believe

he could keep. He must have been absolutely sure and resolute that Vibeeshana

would be crowned king. So, why would he worry after making the vow?

 

Our acharyas have the answer here. Sri Nampillai says in a Thiruvaymozhi

vyakhyanam the following. Rama's worry waas this: What if Vibeeshana too rejects

the Lanka crown just like Sri Bharatha refused the Ayodhya crown. Then, He would

end up with the crowns of two kingdoms. It is the quality of those born in

Ishvaku vamsa to not accept kingdoms and instead take up service. Therefore,

Rama became worried.

 

Once Vibeeshana accepted the crown of Lanka, Rama lost His fever (jvara caused

by worry) and having accomplished what he set out to do (krutakrutya) felt that

now He was truly Rama (tadA rAma). Here is that beautiful sloka:

 

abhishicya ca lankAyAm rAkshasEndram vibheeshaNam |

krutakrutyastadA rAmO vijvara: pramumOda ha ||

 

adiyEn madhurakavi dAsan

TCA Venkatesan