SriRama's action - 3

[Guest guest]

Sri:

Srimathe Ramamnujaya nama:

 

Now the author(Dr. Benjamin Khan) gives his own reasons for SriRama's

action. It is possible that SugrIva having come to know through

HanumAn[Cf IV.6.2-4]that Rama's wife had been ravished,placed himself

in a similar situation to play upon the feeling sof Rama to win his

support[Cf IV.5.17]. And Rama finding SugrIva in the same situation

in which he himself was placed,readily made a promise to punish the

culprit and to get him back his wife. SugrIva after attaining the

kingdom of his brother makes a promise to help Rama[Cf. IV.5.10,11

and IV.30.17]. Thus killing of VAli was part of the contract which

Rama accepted under very compelling circumstances. Rama says to

VAli:"I too promised and how could a man of my position neglect his

promise?"

 

prathij~nA ca mayA dhaththA thadhA vAnara sanniDhau

prathij~nA ca kaTham shAkyA madhviDhEnAnavEkshithum IV.18.27

 

It should be noted that promise keeping was considered as Dharma and

eternal virtue[Cf. II.11.29,II.112.25 and I.21.8] in Valmiki

Ramayana. truth,Dharma and keeping a promise have been identified[Cf.

I.107.8],for it is said:

 

"If having promised I will do so,you do not act up to your word,the

merit you have achieved by digging a tank and by performing

sacrifices shall come to nought",and in another place SriRama says:

 

apyham jIvitham jahyam thvAm vA sIthE sa lakshmaNAm |

na thu prathij~nAm samshruthva brahmaNEbhyO visheShatha: || III.10.18

 

(I can renounce my life,LakshmaNa and SItha but I can not break my

promise)

 

We find that promise breaking has been c onsidered a sin or deviation

from the path of truth[Cf. IV.30.82],whether the promise is good or

bad it must be kept. Thus SriRama says to LakshmaNa,"He who breaks

his promise made unto a powerful benefactor who solicits his

favour,is regarded by people as vile. He is a true hero and an

excellent person who fulfils his word whether good or bad"[Cf.

IV.30.72]:

 

shubham vA yadhi vA pApam yO hi vAkyamudhIritham |

sathyEna parigrhNAthi sa vIra: puruShOththama: ||

 

Therefore,it can be concluded that Rama's killing of Vali can be

justified on the ground that Rama gave his promise to SugrIva and a

promise is equal to Sathya and Sathya is equal to Dharma-thus the

killing of VAli was in accordance with Dharma.

 

to be continued...

 

AzhvAr EmperumAnAr Jeeyar ThiruvadigaLE sharaNam

NC Nappinnai