Miscellaneous - Religion   

Authority on truth

CHENNAI: The cause of truth and dharma is central to the Ramayana. Apart from Lord Rama Himself being an embodiment of dharma, enacting painstakingly every facet of it in His life, He discusses and debates on dharma's finer aspects in many instances in the epic. Lord Rama's departure to the forest caused sadness to the whole of Ayodhya and Bharata felt so desolate that he followed Lord Rama to the forest to request Him to rule in Ayodhya. Along with those who went with Bharata was Jabali, a sage in king Dasaratha's court. To persuade Lord Rama to accept the crown, this sage raised atheistic arguments decrying the scriptural injunctions and practices, speaking words against dharma.

While Jabali's non-believer's viewpoint illustrates that specious arguing can appear to be convincing as well as attractive, drawing people towards the dragnet of adharma, Lord Rama's refutation establishes the supremacy of truth and dharma, said Sri M. V. Anantapadmanabhachariar in a lecture.

What was the need to follow His father's words and remain in the gloomy forests when the father himself was gone? Each individual being a separate entity, is there any meaningful relationship such as father or mother when no one belongs to anyone?

How can anyone believe in anything beyond this universe? Learned men for the sake of making people part with their wealth advocated rituals and other practices such as sacrifices, austerities, etc. Any rational person would give precedence to only tangible knowledge and not believe in hearsay.

Lord Rama enunciated the importance of truth as being one with God. All virtues abide in truthfulness. By His decision to fulfil the command of His father (a devotee of truth who had given up his life for its sake) and stay back in the forest, the Lord's intent to set an example to all mankind is evident. Disregard for Sastras should be avoided (though it appears practicable) as it would tarnish one's conduct and character.

Jabali replied that just for the sake of convincing Rama he had spoken such words and that he too regarded truth as supreme.

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