Srimad Ramayana Tathva Deepika # 92 (Ba:la Ka:nda)

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Srimathe Ramanujayanamaha!

Sri Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam!

(7th sarga started)

 

King Dasaratha had a council of eight competent ministers to assist him in

practising his swadharma. A king’s duty is to rule his kingdom righteously.

Here the ministers’ qualities are described to prove that the king’s advisors

too need to have suitable noble qualities. The ministers should necessarily be

efficient policy makers. Should be skilled to grasp the opposite persons’

notions from their body language and tone. Since they stay with the king all the

time and take part in policy decisions they are referred as ministers.

 

They require three types of purity. Not a trace of evil design against the king

be there in their minds and thoughts. They should be righteous in money

matters. They should be upright in their character with regard to women and

wine. The candidates for ministership are well-tested before recruitment. They

are lured with wealth, women and wine. This is called ‘upadha’. Those who get

through this test successfully are regarded as virtuous. They should like the

king naturally. Have faith and love in all his actions. Such ministers,

Dasaratha had eight in number. Their names are

1. Dhrishti

2. Jayantha

3. Vijaya

4. Siddhaartha

5. Arthasaadhaka

6. Aso:ka

7. Manthrapaala

8. Sumanthra.

 

Their names reflect their characteristics.

1. Dhrishti : Has capacity in doing tasks.

2. Jayantha: Has the character to win.

3. Vijaya: Has capacity to gain victory.

4. Siddhaartha: Has succeeded in achieving what he wished.

5. Arthasaadhaka: Has the determination to accomplish the targets.

6. Aso:ka: Never grieves for any thing during the work.

7. Manthrapaala: Can maintain the secrecy of ‘plans and discussions’ done with

the king.

8. Sumanthra: Can give good advice to the king.

 

Thus there were eight ministers with the eight necessary qualities.

 

Jai srimannarayana!

Ramanujamma Mudumbai, Ramanujadaasi.