|
(Continued from ‘The Brewing of a Crisis
III’)
 Lakshmana, the reincarnation of Sesh Naag, was really infuriated. In earlier occasions, it was Rama who used to pacify him. Now it is he who fuelled his anger and ignited it too! And with what kind of words! He is too ready to be convinced about the dangers that may befall his master. ‘He is a faithful dog. He barks at every little suspicion’ says Srinivasa Sastriyar. He also makes this observation. "He was one of those great natures which are highly susceptible, which could be excited to a pitch of excitement easily…made angry quickly, but at the same time liable to lose that anger quickly too and become generous and even magnanimous afterwards."
It is more appropriate to describe Lakshmana’s rage as uncontainable. There is a difference between uncontrollable and uncontainable. The wanton and vexatious anger of Duchchasana, younger brother of Dhuriyodhana, was uncontrollable. Lakshmana was uncontainable. But back to the job in hand.
Lakshmana strode, taking long steps, walked to the fort of Kishkindha, his very style of walking betraying his impatience. ‘He went like the arrow of Rama that sundered past the seven Sal trees,’ says Kamban. So much of destructive energy disseminated from him. He pulled a branch here, a branch there, broke them into pieces and stamped his feet on rocks and pounded them to powder.
The gauntlet is thrown down; but who is going to take it?
From here Kamban varies the version of Valmiki and heightens the drama. The monkey watch-keepers saw his approach and were afraid. They did not know what to do. The poor, frightened, stupid and innocent creatures closed the massive doors of the fort, stopping him. They did not mean any insult. They did so because they did not know any other way to stop him. This increased the fury of Lakshmana. He was virtually a burning coal. He forced the door open with a powerful kick of his leg and just flowed in like the molten lava. He twanged his bow, striking terror everywhere.
Angada saw the advance of Lakshmana and ran in to wake up his paternal uncle, Sugriva. Wake up? Yes. Sugriva was drunk. He was filled up to the brim, as tight as a liquor bottle. Poor Angada could not wake him up. A slip of a boy. What could he do? He then runs to Hanuman, to organise things. To face Lakshmana; to take is wrath; to pacify him; to explain things to him; to reassure him and to stop the impending destruction.
 Hanuman quickly assessed the situation. He knew what to do. His first task was to pacify Lakshmana. To cool him down. So that he is in the right frame of mind to listen to
reason. Hanuman knew that when emotions run riot, especially when rage reigns supreme, nothing could crack the shell. The person would not listen. He would not be amenable to logic or reason, however good he may be otherwise. The first task is to dip this burning coal in cold water so that he listens. Let us see his skills surfacing once again.
The Ramayana gives us one more important lesson. Sugriva had in fact ordered his troops from various regions to reach Kishkindha, the previous day.
"Please take steps to see that my entire army as well as the troop-commanders muster without delay with its generalissimo… Capital punishment will be awarded to the monkey who arrives hereafter fifteen nights (from now); no reconsideration should be allowed on this point. Nay, accompanied by Angada, you should positively approach the elderly monkeys (personally) with reference to my command."
This responsibility was assigned to Hanuman, who had without brooking a moment’s delay, sent messengers all over to organise the troops. But one important thing was forgotten. Keeping Rama informed simultaneously!
(To be continued)
Hari Krishnan
More
Articles
|
