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.

>