Miscellaneous - Religion   

Force of destiny

CHENNAI: The Ramayana is full of pathos and reflects the emotional and psychological effects that human beings undergo under the pressure of events beyond their control. The message goes beyond the fact that such trials in life are prevalent and showcases the many ways to deal with them with equanimity. In a lecture, Sri Keeranur Ramamurthy drew attention to the fact that the divine couple incarnating as Lord Rama and Sita taught by example how to bide by the obligatory forces of destiny and not be frustrated by the events that are thus thrown up.

Right from the time when the coronation of Lord Rama was called off and He was exiled to the forest for fourteen years, their life has been one with unexpected twists. Lord Rama has shown how one can remain steadfast in the observance of righteous living even in adverse circumstances. At the same time He projects the human emotions of compassion, love, gratitude, etc., in a very realistic manner. He broke down in sorrow when He realised that Sita had been missing from the hermitage. Sita had succumbed to the sight of the golden deer and wished to possess it. She had urged Lord Rama to get the deer. Both Lord Rama and Lakshmana tried to impress on Sita that this golden deer was unreal and they suspected it to be the work of demons. Sita’s longing for the golden deer is her weakness and she pays for this with a period of lonely life in Asoka Vana of Lanka. The deer was Maricha in disguise and was acting according to the plan of Ravana to lure away both Lord Rama and Lakshmana so that he could forcibly take Sita away when she was alone and helpless. Though Lord Rama went in pursuit of the deer leaving Sita under Lakshmana’s custody, Sita drove Laksmana away to the Lord’s help when she thought He was in danger on hearing the faked cry of Maricha trying to imitate the voice of Lord Rama.

At this juncture it is the bird Jatayu that gives life to a dejected and broken Lord Rama by indicating that Sita had been abducted by Ravana. Before any further information could be given Jatayu breathed his last. With his wings clipped Lord Rama was able to surmise that Jatayu must have fought bravely against the powerful Ravana.

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