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Vali Vadham 18

From the Bhakti List Archives

Hari Krishnan • December 10, 2002 


Was he selfish?

 

Home page line: ‘Rama had to do that because Sugriva was supposed to help him in turn.’  Yes.  That was doubtless the position.  ‘Does it not sound selfish?’  

 

‘maru ilaan adhu kooralum’ When Sugriva the unblemished uttered these words, ‘vaanavarkku iraaivan muruval seidhu,’ the Lord of all celestials smiled.  ‘avan munniya muyarchiyai unni,’ thought (and understood) why he ventured upon (such a request). ‘eruzh valith thadandh thOLkaLaal silayai naaN Etri,’ strung his massive bow with his strong, muscular and pillar like shoulders ‘arivinaal aLappa ariyavatrukku arugu sendru aNaindhaan’ and went near those trees that (are so massive that they) defy all known standards of measurement.

 

The point here is, Rama smiled at the request to prove his strength and without a word strung his bow and went to the location.  Who else could!  Just think of it.  Somebody who is very rich comes forward to help a poor man.  He draws a cheque for five lakhs and hands it over to this unfortunate creature.  How will the philanthropist – however good he may be – react, if the poor man instead of thankfully accepting the cheque says, ‘Er… I am sorry sir…is there sufficient money left in your bank account…I am afraid it may bounce…’ Well, Sugriva was doing almost the same.  Though in his case Sugriva was justified – as he was afraid that if this attempt failed, there was nobody to save him from the clutches of Vali – it indeed takes a great soul to react the way that Rama did.

 

‘But Rama needed the support of Sugriva.  That’s why he did that,’ could be the doubt lurking in the minds of our readers.  ‘He had to do that because Sugriva was supposed to help him in turn.’  Yes.  That was doubtless the position.  ‘Does it not sound selfish?’  Does it?  Was Rama really selfish?  One of our readers, Mr Sriram Ramakrishnan from the US, pointed this out in a recent mail.  He writes,  “In your Aug. 4th column - Superior Among Equals, you quote Kamban as follows - "theeyare eninum unnodu utraar enakkum utraar.' Whoever is your friend, even if they are bad (and of questionable character) is my friend. 

 

This is a bit disconcerting to me in that when discussing Vibishana, you clearly pointed out how he stood by the side of dharma and defended his action. Now in this column Rama's above mentioned words give me the impression that Rama was willing to compromise on dharma, so that he can get Sugriva to help him. This sounds selfish to me....”

 

We will answer the question of Mr Sriram in one of our later instalments as this involves a comparison with Vibishana.  But Rama, if he were so selfish, would have approached Vali, instead of Sugriva, after coming to know that Vali was so powerful than Sugriva.  Vali had all the necessary infrastructure with him.  He was the king.  He was powerful.  He had the Vanara army at his disposal.  Sugriva had none of these.  

 

Moreover, Vali had already established his victory over Ravana.  Just seek his ally and put in a word to him.  He jumps over from Kishkindha to Lanka and speaks with Ravana, brings back Sita and there ends the matter.  Why should Rama undergo all this trouble?  Does it not ring a bell and sound so familiar to us who see a change of ally every other day!  Unfortunately this Rama was so totally different from all the Ramas of our times!

 

That is what the Poet wants us to understand.  He is ever so ready to reach out and help him who seeks his protection, even though the devotee is a little suspicious.  ‘Have a open mind and reach me with open hands,’ is what He says.  For after all, how much can one receive from him though he is prepared to shower his blessings, if one goes and stands before him with clenched fists!

 


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