The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : The quality of mercy

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Monday, May 16, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

The quality of mercy

CHENNAI: : In the epics and the puranas, as well as in the devotional poetry of the Azhwars, and the erudite works of scholars and poets, a special status is assigned to the compassion of the Divine Mother. Though the Lord's compassion, especially towards those who seek refuge, is extolled highly by the scriptures, the Divine Mother's kindness is placed a cut above it.

By virtue of Her being the mother of all, She tends to overlook or ignore one's faults and misdeeds, while effectively interceding on behalf of a supplicant to the Lord. It is common knowledge that the mother's love, affection and concern will tilt more towards the less endowed, prodigal or otherwise disadvantaged amongst her children.

This trait of the Divine Mother was in evidence in explicit and subtle ways during Her incarnation as Sita, and Velukkudi Sri V. Krishnan drove home this point by citing two specific instances. The Kakasura episode, where a demon in the guise of a crow inflicts physical injury on Sita, has his life spared by Lord Rama because of Her intervention. The angry Rama had aimed a mystic missile at the crow, charging a Kusa grass with the power of Brahma Astra. The crow was then chased high and low by the missile. After unsuccessfully trying to seek help from various quarters, he fell at Rama's feet.

Sita noticed that the feet, and not the head had landed near Rama's feet. To make the plea for protection valid, She quickly turned the head of the fallen crow towards Rama's feet. It is said that Rama then spared the crow's life after destroying its right eye, since a missile presided over by Brahma cannot be rendered ineffectual. The event is mentioned in retrospect at a later stage when she recalls this to Hanuman who plays the role of a messenger between the devoted (divine) couple who were forced by circumstances to experience a term of separation.

Another instance is the mercy Sita showed towards the Rakshasis who had tormented Her during Her stay in Asoka Vana. She pleaded that their lives be spared. Aware of their nature, She knew that it was unfair to penalise them for executing Ravana's orders, as they were bound to obey him. Sita displayed this quality spontaneously, despite the fact that none of them had sought Her help, or even felt any remorse.

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