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Sri Ramajayam

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Parthasarati Dileepan • January 18, 1996 


Draupathi:  I may be mistaken, but it is my recollection
that Draupathi is considered one of the great pathivrathaas
like Arundhathi, Mandothari, et al.  Sita piraatti is not one
of this group because She is not a mere mortal like the
others.  The only place where Draupathi is talked ill of
is immediately following the gambling, and that too
only be the evil Kauravaas and Karna.  No one else
in MB casts any aspirations against Draupathi.
If Draupathi is portrayed as a "loose woman" in MB,
this is the first time I am hearing of it. I would
like to read that portion for myself.  Therefore, please
provide the parvam/adhyaayam details.

Rama's cruelty:  The episode after Ravana vatham is a
leela played out by our Lord and Piraatti.  The message is
that we need to perform our duty even at the risk of
looking cruel.  What is that duty may change from time to
time.  We have to look to our spiritual leaders like
acharyaas of the day for determining our duties.

This message of dharma is played out forcefully in many
places in both Ramayana and Mahabharatham.  It is dangerous
to jump to conclusions without the guidance of acharyaas.
For example, with a cursory reading it is entirely
possible for one to conclude that Srimad Bhagavath Geethai
is a document meant to justify cruelty and violence.

Eauality:  We discussed this sometime back, I recall.
Our sambradayaam is not in the business of equality
but only in the spirutual salvation of all life forms.
Demanding perfect symmetry of duties between men
and women from our sampradaya is not fair, is not
practical, and is unattainable.  For starters, how
do you define equality?  Is that view shared by women?
Please do not misunderstand me; this view can and does
coexist with zero tolerance for disrespect to any
section of community, women, low-caste, etc.

Rama avathaaram:  I once heard someone claim that
Vaalmeeki never presents Rama as an avathaara.  Is this
right?


-- Parthasarati Dileepan