The Hindu : Epitome of sacrifice

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 26, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Epitome of sacrifice

CHENNAI, MARCH 26 . The manifestation of the Almighty in human form as Rama, embodying all the virtues that an ideal human being should possess, continues to be a perennial source of inspiration. Among His inimitable traits that which stood out was His adherence to truth to the extent that He sacrificed power and pelf and went to the forest without any feeling of remorse at the turn of events. True sacrifice involves giving up something that one holds very dear. Rama cherished all the people of Ayodhya; He was concerned about their welfare and empathised with their joys and sorrows. Valmiki portrays Rama's respect for His parents and love for every family member in all possible contexts. So one can easily imagine what would have been His state of mind when on the eve of His coronation He was instead asked to proceed to the forest. Yudhisthira also was exiled but he lost the kingdom in the game of dice and hence his was not a sacrifice.

Gautama became the Buddha because he renounced his kingdom with dispassion and went in search of enlightenment. His was sacrifice for a higher ideal. Rama's sacrifice was more commendable as He renounced all the comforts that were His by right for the sake of protection of Dharma, that too to uphold the promise of His father. When Kaikeyi bade Him to relinquish the throne Rama replied without anguish, "I do not desire to live in the world as a slave of material gains. Know Me to be devoted to immaculate righteousness like the sages."

In his discourse, Sri Hariji said there was no change in Rama's mood or demeanour even though He was renouncing the sovereignty of a vast kingdom. He was more concerned about how He was going to break the news to His mother Kausalya who was looking forward to the ceremony with great expectation. After consoling Kausalya and taking leave of her it was a different matter convincing Sita when She insisted on accompanying Him pointing out that it was incumbent on Her to share both in His joys and sorrows as His wife. All His entreaties to deter Her from Her resolve fell on deaf ears. Was She not His equal in virtue and resolve? As for detachment Sita was the daughter of Janaka, who was renowned for his wisdom and dispassion, and this came to the fore in this juncture. It is related in tradition that even a sage like Vyasa sent his son Suka, who excelled him in spiritual merit, to seek guidance from Janaka on spirituality.

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