Sriramayana on telebridge#15

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Sriramayana#15

Om Asmath Gurubhyo Namaha

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

 

In 20th sarga, Dasaratha tried to convince sage Viswamithra that Rama was still

a little kid and he could not fight with the demons. Here Valmiki wrote a

beautiful poem. "U:na sho:dasa varsho: me: ramo: ra:ji:va lo:chanaha" . Our

purvacharyas have given a beautiful explanation for this verse. Dasaratha did

not want to send Rama away from him, so he explained somany reasons to convince

Viswamithra.

 

Dasartaha said, "Oh! Sage Viswamithra! Please see my beloved Rama! He is still

not even sixteen (u:na-under, sho:dasa-sixteen varshaha old). Being a little boy

he is not capable to fight. Also because he is a minor, (according to sa:stra)

he must be under my protection". According to Manudharma sa:stra we have to

treat the children up to sixteen as kids (balaha). Until that age they do not

know how to deal with circumstances that occur in the outside world. They cannot

behave independently, as they are not capable to take correct decisions on their

own. Hence, they must be always under the guidance of the parents. Parents are

responsible for taking care of them.

 

Dasaratha continued to say that" My Rama is such a small kid that even today he

is drinking the milk at his mother Kousalya. You can see the milk in his neck

(the love towards Rama was being exaggerated), as he has not even swallowed it

completely to get strength (Kshi:ra kanttascha Ramabhadraha)". Our Purvacharyas

imagined themselves to be Dasaratha and explained this verse (unasho:dasa

varshaha) in detail. Oh!Viswamitra! Kids under sixteen are not eligible to drive

the chariots or fight. I think you know the rules and sastras. How are you able

to ask me for such a small kid to fight with the demons. He is such a tender one

and is not able to take care of himself. Either myself or Kausalya need to help

him for everything. Oh! Viswamithra! I would have sent him if he was above

sixteen. But he is under sixteen and he must be under my protection. So instead

of Ramachandra I will come with you, with my four fold army. (chathuranga

sama:yuktham maya cha sahitham naya), or if you want Rama specifically then

please allow me and my army to come along with Rama . Dasaratha continued to

say, though my Rama is learning a few astra:s (which are to be used by chanting

mantras) and sastra:s (physical weapons like bow and arrow, sword, spear etc.),

he has not completed his education (of yuddha). He has only learnt a part of the

theory of yuddha vidya (war field). He still needs to attend the practical

classes. Until now he has never had a chance to confront anyone even on a small

battle field. After that he has to give the arangetram (starting performance) in

the battle with human beings. Gradually as he improves his ablities and

strength, he may be capable to fight with demons.

At present please do not ask me to send him to do his arangetram with Rakshasas

(demons). He is not eligible for that. So, please accept my humble request and

allow me to come along with you to protect your yajna.

 

Dasaratha continued to say "me:ramaha" - Rama belongs to me! (1)me:ramaha - I

performed a big Aswametha yaga followed by a puthra kameshti yaga to get Rama as

my beloved son. Now I do not want to put him through this trouble intentionally.

Being without children for so many years, I do not want to loose them now. Being

a sage you might not understand the pain of a father. My Rama is a satwik child

and not cruel like Bhargavarama(parasurama). Please try to understand! (2)

me:ramaha - He is mine! He is Dasaratha Rama and he is like a delicate flower

garland. (One has to handle it with care to enjoy the fragrance). We are not

supposed to crush it and now you want to crush my Rama in the fight with demons!

(3).me:ramaha-he belongs to me. You are a sage. I need not remind you of the

rules pertaining to a sage. Sages need to enjoy things in the nature and not the

things that belong to anyone." Kasyachana mamakara adu:shitham anupa hatha:m

vruththim chare:th". If somebody is taking ownership of an article then sages

should not ask for it. I am saying Rama is mine. So you cannot ask me to give

him to you. If you accept my request I will come. I am living only because I get

chance to enjoy the darsan of Rama everday. I feel young and energetic now. I

cannot live without him. So please do not ask me to send him with you!

 

Oh! Viswamithra! My Rama is also called "ra:ji:va lo:chanaha"(louts eyed one).

Just as the lotus flower his eyes will automatically close after sunset. Demons

are known to be more powerful at night time. They are nisa:chara:s( they will

wake up during nights). By that time my Rama will be asleep. How can he fight

with those cruel demons? He cannot protect himself because of sleep. Also he is

tender like a lotus. Though the lotus flower blossoms because of the sun's rays,

it will dry up by the same sun if it is taken out of the water. Similarly my

Rama also cannot live away from me. He cannot walk and live in the heat and

darkness without protection. He is not eligible to fight with demons. Please see

Rama through my eyes and then you will not ask him to fight with demons. As he

is not trained in any miracles like demons, he cannot fight with them. So

Viswamithra maharshe! "Na ramam ne:thumarhasi". Please do not take Rama into

forests.

 

As Dasaratha argued a lot with Viswamithra, he enquires the where abouts of the

demons who were disturbing his yajna. Viswamithra tells Dasaratha that there was

a great demon called Ravana. He belonged to the lineage of Pulasthya prajapathi

and was the son of Visravasu and brother of Kubera. This Ravana did a severe

penance and got a boon from Brahma Deva that no one could kill him. This Ravana

had been sending Mari:cha and Suba:hu to destroy his yajna.

 

After listening to their names Dasaratha was shocked and decided not to send

Ramachandra along with Viswamithra. Dasaratha in reply to Viswamithra said

"being a chakravarthi and having experienced wars, even I may not be able to

face these demons. Oh! Dharmajna! (knower of the dharma) you know the law of

friendship or enemity. Either friendship or enemity must be between equal (in

all angles) people. So, I do not agree to send my innocent and tender Rama along

with you. I am willing to come with you, but, I am not sending Rama with you at

any cost. Mari:cha and Suba:hu are the sons of Sunda and Upasunda. I may be able

to face Mari:cha only but I cannot face Subahu.

 

After listening to the Dasaratha's declaration Viswamithra began to get furious!

contd.

jaisrimannarayana!

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