Sri Ramavatar-Part IV

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Generally, the inability to face facts and situations as they are, becomes a problem. Every problem has a solution and whenever it becomes impossible to find one due to emotional upsets, the problem ripens into a crisis. The entire Ayodhya was plunged into such a crisis.

However, Sri Rama, by education, training and maturity recognized the facts and situations, as such and maintained His balance! Hence, the patient Rama could convincingly preach Dharma and convert them to the righteous path for the ultimate welfare of all!

Again, Sri Rama preached Dharma even to His own mother after breaking the sad news to her - a very delicate and difficult task undertaken by the Master with dignity!

Mother Kausalya was awaiting joyously the return of Rama from his father, thinking of his happy coronation. As Sri Rama entered her chamber with head bowed and when the affectionate mother offered a beautiful seat, he replied, "Oh Mother, the time has come for me to sit on darbhasan and not simhasan" As His mother could not follow, He slowly breaks the news.

He said the king (not father!) had decided that Bharatha should rule the kingdom and had commanded Him to go and live in the Dhandaka forest for six and eight years (not fourteen.to soften the impact). On hearing the shocking news, Mother Kausalya fell unconscious like a felled tree. Then follows the emotion-charged dialogue between the affectionate mother and the loving son!

On regaining consciousness she tearfully wails, pleads and tries to prevent Rama from leaving for the forest, citing the command. She was also adamant that she would follow him to the forest if He persisted, adding that a cow cannot remain without its calf. She preferred to eat even grass in the forest staying with Rama rather than to live in Ayodhya without Him. This is the agony and pangs of motherly love to her ideal son, Sri Rama, who was initially overwhelmed by the flow of Mother's love towards Him calmly replied with tears.

The poet says Sri Rama spoke to His weeping mother in a choked voice. He convinced His mother that the injunction is an ordinary Dharma whereas the fulfillment of the promise given by king Dasaratha, the Ikshvaku King fell under the category of particular Dharma, which gained precedence over ordinary Dharma. Further, he had to politely remind His mother about her duties to His father by quoting Sthri dharma as He had learnt form His Gurus. He convinced her that at the time of father's distress her place was with her husband, Dasaratha.

The relevant stanzas in the epic spelt out by Sri Rama in support of His statement are, "A noble lady, strictly following all sacred rituals like fasts etc, but does not serve her husband - working contrary to his goal - is sure to attain the destiny of a sinner!"

On the contrary, "A lady, who does not even do Namaskara or pooja to the Lord, but devotedly serves her husband as a sahadharma charini attains, the highest heaven". Thus when Sri Rama convinces His Mother about her role, the noble lady concedes and while blessing Him on the eve of His departure to the forest, gives a certificate to His strict adherence to Dharma: "Ohl tiger among the Raghus, may that Dharma which you strictly observe with love, protect you on all sides".

This blessing echoes the familiar axiom, "Dharma protects those who follow the path of Dharma".

Thus, irrespective of the personal relationship. Sri Rama boldly upholds Dharma. Even His dear Sita Devi gets a lesson in Dharma in reply to her advice to Him on Dharma in the episode while in the forest.

About the author

P.G.Ananthanarayan (Mani)

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