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Vali Vadham 37

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Hari Krishnan • December 17, 2002 


Who is an animal?



As we saw yesterday, Vali did not speak against what Rama said, in Valmiki.  Here is how he responds: "What you have said, O jewel among men, is precisely true; there is no doubt about it.  Indeed a dwarf cannot argue with a giant.  Certainly you ought not to find fault, O scion of Raghu, with me even for the unbecoming and unpalatable words that were addressed by me (to you) before this through mistake.  Indeed you have directly perceived the truth about the (four) objects of human pursuit and are a wise man.  Nay, you are devoted to the good of the people and your mind is clear and unbaffled in determining your duty and weighing the circumstances on which you base your decision."  (Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, Canto 18, Sloka 45-47)

Though the questions remain unanswered, Vali is satisfied with what Rama gives out as his reason.  The critical eye of Kamban has picked up the lacunae and therefore he changes the drama to put further arguments into the mouth of Vali.  The question that was put forth by many critics of Ramayana for a long time was thus included in Kamban.  

'I am after all an animal and your human laws would not be binding on me,' was how Vali countered Rama.  'Don't tell me that!' retorted Rama.  'You cannot claim to be an inferior creature and take defence behind what was exempted for innocent animals.  You say these laws were prescribed for humans and not animals.  Okay.  Why was it that animals were exempted?  Simply because they cannot see the difference between what is right and what is not.  But you do not fall under that category.'

'nalam koL dhevarin thOndri,' you were born of very high parentage.  The very Indra is your father.  'navai aRak kalangala ara nal neRi kaaNdalin,' Because you have studied the scriptures and know and understand them fully well, (without faults of knowledge - navai ara - such as uncleared doubts and understanding the text in a different way) 'vilangu alaamai viLangiyadhu' it is established beyond doubt that you cannot be categorised as an animal.  'aadhalaal alangalaarkku Idhu aduppadhu andrum aam arO.'  It therefore does not befit a person of your stature (to act like what you did and to defend it like how you do).

Know one thing for certain.  That it is an animal or not, is not judged by mere appearance.  'poRiyin yaakayO?'  Is the attainment and stature of a person or a being goes according to the body that he she or it receives by birth?  'aRivin mEladhu andrO?'  Is it not to be based on the intellectual attainment?  

Education makes all the difference.  It empowers one to see things in the right perspective.  It enables one to know and understand his society, his people, the principles and ideals that are to govern one's life.  You were provided with the opportunity to learn, to understand the high values and without doubt you come from a highly accomplished parent who could have - and has - guided you, imbued you with values.  After learning all the scriptures and values, how do you claim exemption under a law that did not take animals into account, just because they do not have the opportunity to undergo a study under an able teacher and understand righteousness?  

This argument of Rama, put forth by Kamban is very valid even this day.  If we take a look around us and we can see this rule operating around us in a somewhat modified form - for which also Kamban has laid down specific conditions.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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