Sri Rama

[Guest guest]

The Rishis of the Dandaka forest approached Sri Rama in total surrender and

after narrating their woes about the atrocities of the cruel Rakshasas, sought

protection. The compassionate Rama, who felt greatly distressed, assured and

promised the Rishis that He would rid the forest completely of all the

Rakhshasas! Sri Rama is a sharanagatavatsal - one who protects those who

surrender.

 

In the forest, when the first encounter with the demon Viradha created a terror

in Sita Devi's mind, she advises Sri Rama on pacifism. She said that as they

were on a vrata as tapaswins in the forest. The promise to the Rishis for the

extermination of all Rakshasas would result in and violate Dharma, as it would

fall under the category of anger without provocation, one of the causes of sin!

After patient listening and even appreciating Devi for her advice as a

sahadhannacharini, Sri Rama thunders, " I can even give up my life or even you

together with Lakshmana but I shall not fail to fulfill the promise given,

especially to the Brahmanasâ€

 

Sri Rama reminds Devi that as Kshatriyas, it was their Dharma to protect the

weak and those who follow Dharma at all times and places like the Rishis. Sri

Rama also vindicates His Dharma as a sarangathavatsala. This noble trait of Rama

is fully demonstrated later in the epic in the episode " Vibishana Saranagati " .

 

Another famous incident in the Ayodhya Kanda where Sri Rama is severely tested

by Sage Jabali, one of his Gurus, who in his anxiety to bring back Rama, resorts

to the Charvaka philosophy - Atheism and ridicules rituals like Sraadda. He said

that a father's words had validity only as long as he was alive and Rama had

already fulfilled those words. Now that he was dead and there was nothing beyond

death, there is nothing wrong in Rama returning to Ayodhya and accepting the

kingdom.

 

Sabari, who though born a tribal, brought the Lord to her Ashram by her intense

Guru bhakthi, Tapas, and Ramanama Japa...

 

Sri Rama became very furious, chided Jabali and quoted Dharma extensively,

stating that Dharma was eternal, transcending time and space and his father's

words had eternal sanctity till they were fully implemented! Here, the " Dharma

Devata again roars Dharma. Sri Rama was even provoked to say that his father

should not have appointed Jabali - an Adharmi. as one of his advisers!! However,

Sage Vasishta intervened and saved the situation. Thus, the main role of the

Avatara is Dharma samastapan under all conditions and situations.

 

The " Aranya Kanda of the epic is a Moksha Kanda where the Lord grants release

and liberation to Rishis, devotees and Rakshasas alike. The great Jatayu's

sacrifice for Sri Rama's cause is repaid by Rama in performing the last rites

with tears of gratitude, to Jatayu, which even Dasaratha did not get!

 

Very many Rishis like Sarabhanga were awaiting Sri Ramna's visit to their

Ashramas for their release from the mortal coil. The Kanda culminates with the

Moksha of the noble Sabari, who though born a tribal, brought the Lord to her

Ashram by her intense Guru bhakthi, Tapas, and Ramanama Japa. This Kanda

demonstrates saulabhya guna the easy accessibility of Sri Rama and demonstrates

that true devotion transcends birth, position, status etc.

 

The Kanda also illustrates the intense human aspects of the Avatara. Sri Rama is

separated from his Dharmapatni, Sita Devi, the flower of Indian womanhood, about

whom the great Swami Vivekananda said " There may be a thousand Ramas but there

is only one Sita, purer than purity and a symbol of sacrifice!..........That is

why Ramayana is known as the glory of Sita!â€

 

Forsaking the luxury of the palace, she convinced Rama with irrefutable

arguments and accompanied him to the terrible forest! She underwent untold

hardships and shared her husband's joys and sorrows as a sahadharmacharini -

true to her father, King Janaka's statement at the time of Sri Rama's marriage.

When this Devi, who was his true life partner, was lost in the forest Sri Rama

demonstrates, with intense grief, how a truly loving husband would normally

react! The " Aranya Kanda vividly paints the 'Shokaras' Sri Rama's love for His

beloved! Sri Rama recovers and exercises His Purusharth - self-effort and

recovers Devi by His valour by making a dam even across an ocean for Devi's

sake!

 

To be continued

 

About the author

 

P.G.Ananthanarayan (Mani)

 

This article has been written by P.G.Ananthanarayan (Mani) for the Vedanta Vani

of Chinmaya Mission.

 

Ram Chugani

Kobe, Japan