The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Submit to the divine will

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Monday, Sep 13, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Submit to the divine will

CHENNAI, SEPT.13 . An important truth that is evident in the Ramayana is that it is not possible for anyone to thwart Providence. There will be many occasions in the life of every individual when there will be the proverbial slip between the cup and the lip in realising desired objectives in life. He might have taken all the necessary efforts and be capable of realising the goal and yet unable to get his due deserts. During such frustrating moments in life one must take a leaf out of Rama's book and surrender to the divine will which shapes the destiny of man.

Rama was the incarnation of the Supreme Being. Even if He is considered as a human being, a role model for humanity and the embodiment of all virtues in a human being as portrayed by Valmiki, He was the eldest son of an emperor and thus the heir to the throne of Ayodhya after him. He was much loved by one and all. So there was no room for any doubt about His succession to the throne. But the circumstances, which made Dasaratha hastily decide to crown Him as the prince when Bharata was away and the sudden reversal of fortunes overnight after all preparations had been made for the ceremony only reinforces the working of a power beyond man which prevails ultimately. Man thus had no choice but to accept what Providence meted out to him, said Sri N.Veezhinathan in his discourse.

Rama accepted Kaikeyi's instruction to proceed to the forest with equanimity but Lakshmana was infuriated with rage that Dasaratha had succumbed to Kaikeyi's machinations to this extent. Rama had to pacify him with sound reasoning thus, "How could the resolution of persecuting Me enter the mind of Kaikeyi if this idea of hers were not prompted by Providence?" In truth Kaikeyi had not discriminated between Bharata and Rama until Manthara poisoned her mind about the consequences of Rama's coronation and instigated her to seek the boons Dasaratha had promised to her on an earlier occasion.

Rama consoled him saying that what could not be foreseen was surely a decree of Providence and it could not be set aside by anyone and that man cannot dare challenge destiny about which no indication can be found other than the consequence of an act. When there is no inkling of what is in store there is no way man can pre-empt anything from happening, as he can only understand by inference only after the event has happened.

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