CONTEXT: RAMA’S REPLY TO VALI WHO QUESTIONS HIS UNETHICAL SLAYING
PART 4, CHAPTER 18, VERSE 6, SANSKRIT:
ikshvaakuun`aam iyam bhuumihi sa shaila vana kaananaa
mruga pakshi manushyaan`aam nigraha anugraheshu api.
VERSE 10
tasmin nrupati shaarduula bharatee dharma vatsalee
paalayati akhilaam pruithviim kaha careet dharma vipriyam
VERSE 11
tee vayam maarga vibhrasht`am svadharmee paramee sthitaaha
Bharata aagnnaam puraskrutya nigruhn`iimoo yathaa vidhi.
ENGLISH GIST: This earth including hills, forests, animals, birds and humans belongs to Ikshvaakus (Rama’s dynasty). Ikshakus grace and control the animals, birds and humans.
When Bharata (Rama’s brother) is ruling the ENTIRE EARTH, who will violate law?
Following our impeccable law and duty, and as per the orders of Bharata, we punish the wrong-doers.
CRITICAL REMARKS: How arrogant is Rama! Ayodhya is a city kingdom. Their authority does not extend beyond the precincts of Ayodhya and surroundings. There are kingdoms like Mithila, Keekaya etc. which are as powerful as Ayodhya. Rama blatantly claims that the entire earth belongs to his dynasty.
*This behaviour can be compared to the attitude of Lord Dalhousie and Lord Wellesley the British Governor Generals who came from a small island England claimed the entire India as their own. Dalhousie usurped the kingdom of the Queen of Jhansi using similar specious arguments.
Rama does not follow any principles of natural justice. In any trial, first the accused has to be informed of the charges in respect of which he is being tried. An opportunity is to be given to the accused to present his side of the argument and defend himself. Rama decides quite arbitrarily and punishes Vali. Rama’s argument of his punishing Vali for his misdeeds seems to be an after-thought.
