Hari Aum.
In the last post on the Ramayana, we saw how Lord Rama, manifestation of Lord Narayana, reached Mithila, the place where Mother Sita, His wife-to-be resided. He took up the divine bow of none other than Lord Shiva Himself (they are One of course in reality though appear to be two separate forms) and proceeded to demonstrate His immense physical prowess by breaking it.
Imagine the scene, the drama! The bow of Lord Shiva, the great Lord, the great Destroyer, the One who is worshipped by Lord Rama Himself (and the One who worships Lord Rama in turn)-- put asunder! Broken-- just like that. The energy released, the deafening sound, the earthquake, the shock of the witnesses! The admiration at the sheer power and glory of the Divine avatar!
Dear me, how amazing.
Yet, those of us who know the legend of Sri Rama, know some truths about Him that are less savoury. He will say that He was not to blame, but can we fully agree, can we entirely understand His perspective, and can we entirely empathise?
Or do we feel that He should have shown greater backbone, greater courage, especially for One who can break even the bow of Shiva.
(As devotees, there are times when we praise the Divine and times when we berate Him/Her. The moods of devotion have many flavours. Today, for some reason, I happen to be in a somewhat berating mood with regard to Sri Rama-- please do not be offended, this too shall pass!)
I am not going to explain the part of the Ramayana that I am referring to here; those of you who know the whole story will be aware of the portion that I am referring to when I ask these questions-- the events that took place towards the end in relation to Sita (this is because I am in the process of reading and writing on this blog, the entire Ramayana in a condensed form; will likely take some time though!).
However, as I read the story, I reflect upon it, and various thoughts and feelings are generated. Some of these I feel I would like to share here (these may resonate with you-- or they may not, and that is ok. Everything does not need to resonate with everyone all the time).
So, let me continue my reflections on Lord Rama....my questioning of Him.....
Is this Rama, the divine bow-breaker, who was famous for His physical power, not the One who shivered and shook before the people of Ayodhya upon returning home from Lanka? Did He not tremble with fear at their unmerited criticism? Is He not the One who abandoned His own wife in the most appalling manner in the process?
Is this not the Lord, who is known as Satya, the embodiment of Truth, who did not dare to speak His own truth? Is He not the One who, not only tolerated and accepted the unjust public insult and humiliation of His own wife, but who actively participated in it?
An avatar with such physical strength but yet so weak at heart-- how extraordinary! He is often referred to as the 'ideal man' but is He really so?
One who cannot even acknowledge His own Truth-- that He loved His wife and that She was not at fault (despite what the ignorant public thought)-- can there be anything more weak, anything more tragic, pathetic and pitiable than this? One feels compassion and pity, not admiration, for such a lamentably weak hero.
To live His life pleasing those who did not deserve to be pleased, while inflicting endless pain upon His consort-- is this the nature of a true hero, an ideal man?
Can One who is so weak at heart, One who cannot admit His Truth, One who shivers and trembles within at the prospect of being criticised by others even when He has done nothing wrong and in fact, always acted in accordance with dharma-- can such a One really be called true and courageous?
Is it possible, that His wife, Sita, so frail externally, One whom many in the world would call 'a weak woman' in appearance, actually had more strength in Her little finger that He had in the whole of His body? And was not Her heart a million times stronger and braver than His trembling, fearful one?
After all, She underwent a trial by fire for His sake-- literally (in physical terms)! And, also mentally, emotionally and spiritually during Her lifetime. She may have been none other than an incarnation of Mother Lakshmi but She underwent a very human experience filled with some joy and tremendous sorrow.
After undergoing numerous trials and tribulations in life, She emerged strong and powerful. In the end, though She loved Him, She had to leave Him forever-- and who can blame Her?
For who can remain with One who is so weak at heart, so lacking in courage, so lacking in expression of His own Truth, and who inflicts such pain in the process? Who can remain with One who cannot face reality, who cannot stand up for Himself and His own divine consort and protect Her and His own honour?
It is said in the Puranas that every man is a form of Narayana/Shiva and every woman is a form of Lakshmi/Parvati. Let us hope that this is not a reference to Their avatars as Rama and Sita. Because, it would be a tragedy for every woman to suffer as Sita did, and for every man to be as fearful and pitiably weak at heart as Rama was when it comes to living a life based upon love and truth (and facing unjust public criticism).
It would be far better if the men of the world could have the courage of Narasimha, another avatar of Narayana (who was strong both in body and mind/ heart; Who knew exactly how to protect His beloved devotee, Prahlada). And for every woman to have the good fortune of Mother Parvati, the divine consort of Lord Shiva.
I dedicate this post to Sri Rama; I know that He will not be offended by this-- because, I feel that, in His heart, He will Himself agree with every word that I have written here. I will give Him at least that much credit for acknowledging the truth.
Om Sri Sita-Ramabhyam Namah. Om Namo Bhagavate Narasimhaya.
Om Namo Narayanaya.
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
