Sita Rama Jaya Jaya

[Guest guest]

Hari Bol. There was a concert in Seattle organized by a Jewish Convert to Hinduism recently attended by over 1000 people. The whole concert had only one song "Sita Rama Jaya Jaya". Kalavai Venkat, the new rising sun in hindu activism had got a free ticket as a compliment for his Hindu activism. While there, he was requested to speak for five minutes on any topic on Sita Rama. He asked the audience if they had any particular point that they want him to address. One girl had a question,"I have started reading Ramayana. But how can Rama banish his chaste and pregnant wife Sita to forest? The church tells us that this is how Hinduism oppresses women. Whatever they do, it is not enough. I would like to know what is the Hindu defence?"

Kalavai Venkat:"Most americans oppose the war on Iraq. How many of you think that the Government of America iss responsive?"

Audience:"Not really. Once they come to power our opinion falls on deaf ears"

Kalavai Venkat:"Compare this with the example that Rama set by responding to a washerman's offline complaint. As per the morals of the time, an abducted woman, however chaste she were cannot be accepted back in to the family. Even in the Roman empire was the saying 'Caesar's wife should not only be chaste but also seen to be chaste'. Moral standards change with time but the government should uphold the highest morals of the time. That is important for the society would feel secure. Rama was the most beloved of the people of Ayodhya. They cried when he left for forest and lived in anguish until he returned. They rejoiced utmost on his return. Rama was the mightiest king with great support from his people. He could have ignored the washerman's comments or silenced him with his power. But he decided to uphold the highest morals of his time. He had vowed to marry only once out of love for Sita. After returning from the forest, they had lived together happily for 12 years and

Sita was carrying. But inspite of that he decided to put himself and Sita in to suffering of separation for the sake of upholding dharma. That is why even today, every one yearns for Rama Rajya."

Needless to say there was a thuderous applause.

There used to be a culture of "patti mandram" in tamil nadu annd other parts of india, where people used to argue in defence of apparent immorality of the lord. There will be topics such as "Was Rama justified in killing Vali?" One should go out and practice to be an attorney for the lord. It is only by the sword like reasoning and arguments that the vedic truths were protected over time.