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Response to Mrs. Anonymous's question

From the Bhakti List Archives

Tatachar • January 12, 1996 


Dear Mrs. Anonymous,
Welcome to the group. 

The answer for the issue  raised by you about Rama deserting his pregnant
wife Sita (at the comment of a Dhobi) is rather difficult to answer to fulI
satisfaction.  I will make an attempt:  

Rama was the king of Ayodhya. A king has to set an example to his subjects.
As is the king so are the subjects.
 It fell on Rama's ears that 
a certain dhobi was criticizing about Rama accepting back Sita, who had spent
an year in Ravana's house.

For every one loud mouth, there may be hundreds whispering the same
sentiment.  Rama, obviously could not bare the possible ill-reputation that
may come upon him as well as the Raghu family. Although he had previously
tested for himself the chastity of Sita, it is immaterial at this point. What
Rama was doing was for satisfying public opinion. As a ruler of repute, this
is very important, even if the comment is made by an ordinary subject.
 Because, rulers and their families have previleges not available to common
people and also have a greater responsibility and accountability, which oculd
mean an undue suffering.   Thus, he banished Sita. It is quite clear that he
did not do this happily. He  entrusted his most trusted brother Lakshman to
do this job. 

In this context, I like to share another  episode from recent History, which
may be relatively  easier for us to comprehend as per the modern standars set
by our present day rulers. 
Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister with a fairly good popularity.  
Raj Narain (a common man who always did his laundry in public), her opponent,
 challenged the election in the court based on the mal practises conducted by
her during the polls. He won and the court invalidated Mrs. Gandhi's victory.
The opposition members of the parliment demanded her resignation.   Mrs.
Gandhi glued herself to the Prime minister's chair and imposed national
emergency, telling that the whole nation was in danger. The only thing that
was in danger was her seat(even that is questionable as she could have easily
come back considering her popularity).  Not only that, Indira Gandhi brought
her  goonda son Sanjay Gandhi (worthy of only banishment) into forefront and
he ran the affairs (did goonda giri) without any elected office!  

-K. Sreekrishna (tatachar)

Here are few other instances in Ramayana which are not straight forward. Yet
th eon eraised by you tops them all.
1. Dasharatha sending his tender son's at the behest of Vishvamitra

2. Vali Vadha by Rama by shooting an arrow from behind(hiding)-By the way
during British Raj, Valivadha  was been disputed in the  
regular court setting with pertinent attorneys representing both sides.  I
don't know the outcome. 

3. Rama's caronation fixed by Dasharatha at a time when Bharatha and
Shatrugna are away.  No plan was made to send words for them to attend the
event.

4. Dasharatha giving payasam to only Kausalya and Kaikeyi.

5. Lakshmana's treatment of Urmila: Leaving her behind and asking her not to
shed even a drop of tear.  If Sita has to accompany Rama, why not Urmila
accompany Lakshmana?

6. Rama asking Sita to prove her chastity by Agnipravesham.