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The Ingredients of the Brew
Rama always stays in control. Very rarely did he lose his temper. You can count such occasions with the fingers on one hand, or may be with one or two fingers more, from the other. Even when he was engaged in a fight with Ravana, he remains cool. When his hands string the bow and shower arrows, his face remains calm and he maintains a smiling countenance. This fact is acknowledged by the very Ravana that he fought against.
 Ravana tastes defeat for the first time and returns to his palace with disgrace written all over his ten faces, on the graceful words of Rama ‘retire for the day and return in the morrow for a war’
(indru poy porukku naalai vaa). Reclining in his bed, he recollects the happenings of the day. ‘He shoots his arrows in an unending shower that would seem not to stop even if aeons and aeons of time cease. His arrows singe even the primordial fire under the earth; they singe the air that they pass through; they would singe the tongue that utters the words ‘Rama’s darts’ and they would singe even the very mind that thinks of
them…But he remains calm. He aims his arrows at me as playfully as he did, when he shot clay-tipped darts on the hunched back of Mantara. I am unable to see even a trace of anger on his face. (sinam unnmai therindathu illai) – (Kamba Ramayanam, Kumbakarnan Vadhaip Padalam; Yudhdha Kandam)
Therefore, one can understand the gravity of the situation when he shows his anger and uses the choicest of harshest of words. ‘Tell him (Sugriva) that the arrows that rooted out numberless wrongdoers are still with me. My mighty bow is still with me and your arrow (the reference obviously is to the arrow that killed Vali) is still with me. Yama has not forgotten the art of killing nor have I forgotten archery. This is our order.’
Our order. Notice him using the royal we to refer to himself. I have not come across a single other instance where he uses the words ‘our order’ in the entire Kamba Ramayana.
Lakshmana, the faithful dog
Lakshmana is just the contrast of Rama as far as control over his anger is concerned. But he is angered only when he feels that the interests of Rama are threatened. He dedicates himself to the service of Rama. You cannot see a single instance where Lakshmana seethes with anger for any other cause. Right Honourable Srinivasa Sastriyar cites the scene when Rama was exiled and Lakshmana is reddened with rage. He beautifully captures his nature in the following words:
"Then he appeals to his brother, "Tell me, tell me, I cannot keep myself under control. Tell me which the person is whom I am to attack and slay for your sake. Name him. Give me the order." That is a point, which I wish to draw attention. In spite of his uncontrollable fury, the frenzy of anger, in spite of that Lakshmana is not willing to take the field and apply violence – he is so ready to apply violence – unless he, Rama, gives the order."
And that sparked the rocket, in its journey to the mars! ‘I will go and finish them off’ roars Lakshmana. Rama realised his mistake. Sastriyar says, "To have excited this excitable creature was very wrong. So he said to him, ‘Brother Lakshmana, don’t take things literally. I was in a temper. I spoke roughly. Don’t go and communicate these things to Sugriva. Speak gently, manage it all properly."
But Lakshmana was not in a mood to listen. His fury had already been ignited and it was too late to reverse it. He leaves to meet Sugriva. And what a chaos results by the acts of the nervous, frightened and foolish monkey-watchmen, complicating the job of our crisis manager!
(To be continued)
Hari Krishnan
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