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Monday, April 02, 2007

#002, Rama and Lakshmana mounted on PRINCES AND MINISTERS!

Is this the way to treat princes and ministers? Rama is called "the greatest among civilised persons" (Maryada Purushottama).

Now let us see how he treats the Generals who helped him in his battle with Ravana.

ANGADA
Angada is son of Vali, the slain Vanara King. He is the crown prince and a person of great strength.

Context:
Rama was ordering the Vanara forces to get ready for the war with Ravana. He tells Sugriva the Vanara King, that Lakshmana will ride on Angada, like Lord of Death. Rama compares Lakshmana to Kubera the God of Riches; Angada to Kubera's elephant called Sarvabhauma. (Accordingly, Lakshmana sat on the shoulders of Angada).

6-4-19:
Angadeena esha samyaatu Lakshman`aha ca antaka upamaha
saarvabhaumeena bhuutees`oo dravin`aadhipatis yathaa.
HANUMAN

Hanuman is the Minister and adviser of the Vanara King Sugriiva. According to Ramayana, he is a great grammarian. Now, let us see how Rama treats him!

Context: Same as above. Rama wanted to ride on Hanuman, just as the God of Heaven Indra rides on his elephant Airavata.

6-4-18:

Yaasyaami bala madhye aham
bala ogham abhiharshayan
adhiruhya Hanuumantam
Airaavatam iva Iishvaraha.

Meaning: I shall be in the middle of the army, mounting Hanuman, like Indra mounting his elephant Airavatam.

BLOGGER'S VIEW
There may be shortage of chariots and horses. What is the use if only two people have humans as vehicles? The war is to be won without using horses and chariots. The point here is, there is no pre-offer from Hanuman and Angada to carry Rama and Lakshmana on their shoulders. Rama himself initiated the idea on his own. Poor Angada and Hanuman have to obey without demor. Hanuman might have obeyed because he was devotee of Rama. Why did Angada obey? He was not a devotee of Rama, in strict sense. He was afraid of the order of the king and his uncle Sugriiva. Sugriiva was very harsh in enforcing his orders, and his order is called "Sugriivaagna" for its severity.



5-35-31
BOOK 5 - BOOK OF BEAUTY - SUNDARA KANDA
CHAPTER 35 - SARGA 35
VERSE 31 - S`LOOKA 31

Tau parignaata tattva arthau
mayaa priiti samanvitau
prisht`ham aaropya tam desham
praapitau purusha rishabhau.

CONTEXT
Hanuman was describing to Sita, the features of Rama and Lakshmana. She was sitting under the Asoka tree in Lanka.

Gist in English
The two bulls among men (Rama and Lakshmana) were kind, when they heard about Sugriva's position. I made them to ascend on my back and carried them to Sugriva's place.

BLOGGER'S COMMENTS
*Rama and Lakshmana were well-versed in Vedas.
*Hanuman was also well-versed in Vedas.
*How should two Veda knowing men treat another Veda knowing person, who also happens to be a Minister?
*Rama and Lakshmana were 'Rishabhams (bulls)'. Couldn't they walk to Sugriva's place? Should they mount on a Veda knowing scholar?

2 comments:

vitahavya said...

you are picking and chcoosing like the priests whom you critize. the story has some internal dynamics. i thought they were also monkeys weren't they?

Further, what about palanquins then? the rickshaw pullers of calcutta?

Anonymous said...

this man talk totally rubbish and sensless in all explanaton.