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 Seeking the opinion of others on important issues has been an established practice in this country. Some did it with genuine intentions of getting to know the opinion of others; they accepted the wise counsels of others. If an idea was not acceptable or difficult of implementation, they explained the reason why it could not be taken. There were yet others who called for councils and meetings, just to make the so-called advisors to accede to their views, however wild and crooked these may be. It was no different in those days, either!
Dasaratha summoned all his ministers just before the proposed coronation of Sri Rama, told them of his decision to bring Rama to the throne, and sought their opinion. He gave them his reasons for doing so, elaborately. After due deliberations the council accepted his views and expressed its joy on the coronation of Rama. At that point, Dasaratha put them a question. The poet says,
"ooriya uvagayai oLikkum sindhayan". He decided to hide his feelings of joy. He wanted to gauge their feelings. He asked them:
………ip pommal vasagam
ugavayin mozindhadho ullam nOkkiyo
thagavu ena ninaindhO thanmai yaadhu…"
Are you acceding to the coronation of Rama because you are all pleased with the decision?
(ugavayin mozindhadho) Or is it because I say something and you all want to echo the emperor's views? (ullam nOkkiyo) Or do you think that this is proper and acceptable? (thagavu ena ninaindhO) Why do you accept?
The ministers and chieftains gave him their justification. The point is, Dasaratha need not have done this. He was the Emperor and Rama was his heir. It was an indisputable fact that Rama was the eldest and he should assume office after Dasaratha. There was no need for any opinion from anyone. But even so, Dasaratha sought the opinion of those who would be ruled over. It is the sign of a good leader. He was not satisfied with their acceptance, did not show his joy out and demanded an explanation from them.
 On the other side, we see Ravana calling his war council, after Maruti set Lanka afire. He presents a case before the council. What had happened was due to his infatuation for a woman, who was already married to another man and his ego that does not permit him to see that he had committed an unpardonable offence, accept his false move and return Sita to her husband. What he presented to the council was a different story. He focussed on what had happened to Lanka, due to the misdeeds of a monkey. He told them that it was an insult to the entire Rakshasa race and posed a threat to their power over the three worlds. But did the council accept what he said? Who cares? It is Ravana rajya. You are supposed to reflect what His Majesty says; visualise things as he shows and always stand by his side. After all, is he not magnanimous enough to permit you to say 'yes' to whatever he says?
Was there any protest? Who put forth the first protest, if at all it could be considered protest? How did he face criticism? Was Vibishana the only one to advise him against his immoral passion? Let us see him in council.
(To be continued)
Hari Krishnan
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