|
Continued from yesterday's instalment
 'Truth has no alternative course,' continued Sri Rama.'I will carry out the order of my father and live in the forest for fourteen years. 'andha naal elaam aal en aanaiyaal' And you rule the kingdom all those fourteen years, by my order.'
'Alright. I will come back and take the kingdom from you after fourteen years. But you rule it during that time, by my order.' The word 'order' signifies that Rama has accepted the kingship, though it is deferred for now, which he earlier did not. That Rama could be changed from his original stand was itself a success for Bharata. It was his love for Rama, love for Dharma, love for principles, humility and steadfastness in his pursuit that made this mountain, Sri Rama, budge an inch!
Vasishtha saw this change and thought a little more persuasion would make him relent. He decided to base his argument on what Rama put forth - the words of one's parents must be regarded as law and obeyed without a second thought. 'A teacher,' he said 'who educates and trains a person and prepares him for both this world and the next is to be regarded as a higher and better guide. Therefore, listen to what your teacher says. 'andru enaadhu indru enadhu aanai aiya' not on a later day, but today, by my order Sire, 'nandru pondhu ali unakku uriya naadu' go with us for good and govern the country as is your right and duty. His use of the word 'order' was obviously inspired by Rama's usage of it, in his address to Bharata. If Bharata should respect your order because you are elder to him, respect my order because I am elder to you and I am your teacher as well!
But Rama's decisions are clear, considered and needed no amendments or bolstering up from others to move away from them. He joined his palms respectfully and pleaded, 'Then please tell me sir, is it right for me to give up what I have accepted and not honour my own words? I have accepted the order of my parents and am carrying out what they told me. You are now ordering me against it. If I accept what you tell me, I would violate the word of my parents and would make my father a liar. Please guide me as to what I should do. ('en ini sei vagai urai sei eengu'). That rendered the old teacher speechless. He had no answer to it.
And then Bharata took up another stance. 'aalbavar aalga naadu.' Let whoever wishes to rule the country do so. I will not leave your side. I will stay with you in the forest. I will also not return to Ayodhya. This is for certain.' Bharata is not prepared to relent. He is as firm in his resolve as is Sri Rama. That is a quality of Bharata that shows through and shines throughout the epic. With his utterance of this oath, the story stutters for a while. Even the poet is baffled by his stoicism. It appears as though he is not able to resolve this crisis. Neither Rama nor Bharata relent. But he has to move the story! He has to take it to its ultimate end of killing Ravana! He now summons the help of celestials!
More follows…
Hari Krishnan
More
Articles
|
|
