The Hindu : Ramayana, a moral epic

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Ramayana, a moral epic

CHENNAI, MARCH 18 . A common refrain among people, specially the geriatric is the apparent indifference of the younger generation to matters spiritual. The fretfulness stems from the perceived lacuna in the youth with regard to pursuit of scriptural knowledge. Traditionally, scriptural literature has played the role of an educator, with the warring forces of good and evil constantly highlighted in order that one may elect to tread the path of virtue.

In his discourse, Sri R. Aravamudhan said the Ramayana is a moral epic, which occupies a vital place as an instrument of character formation by portraying the character of Anjaneya and others. Even the arch villain Ravana exhibited fearless valour and unwavering faith in divinity. God granted him every imaginable power and pelf, but did not bless with the most desirable gift of all, that of "Satsang" (good company). On the other hand Sugriva lost his kingdom, his wife and was forced to live the life of a fugitive, but he engineered a reversal of fortune for the better due to his association with Anjaneya, the skilled diplomat, the ideal minister, the ultimate messenger and courtier with a commendable presence of mind.

Intuitively aware of Sugriva's insecurity, he communicated the acceptability of Rama and Lakshmana to the former by carrying them on his shoulders for their first direct contact with Sugriva. With his mind focused on the search mission at hand, he emerged unscathed from encounters that could tax the ingenuity of any other person. He straddles the epic like a colossus both in terms of valour and virtue.

A much debated point is with regard to Anjaneya's superior strength. Rama himself raises the issue with Agastya at a later date. "Anjaneya was greater than Vali and Sugriva. Why then, when he was on the side of Sugriva, did he not use his strength to finish off Vali?" There follows a narration by the sage wherein an exuberant Anjaneya, blessed by the celestials, was a victim of amnesia resulting out of the curses of ascetics whose hermitage he routinely ransacked. The mental veil is subsequently lifted when Jambavan makes him realise his strength.

However, he was a diligent pupil who took Surya as his preceptor and kept pace with the ever-roaming sun-god to educate himself. When Surya sought nothing more than protection for his son to be manifested as Sugriva as tutorial fee, a dutiful Anjaneya readily acceded, proving his steadfastness to his legionnaire at every turn.

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