Over time the resolution to some doubts, the answers to some questions come to us quite unpredictably ...we must of-course be willing to look with an open mind ...and faith...
Ram and Sita
I've heard passionate arguments from seemingly intelligent people who maintained that King Ram was not an example of a loving husband because he deserted his wife despite her devotedness to him.
However when you read the Ramayan you understand that Ram continued to have his fondest love for Sita. He was devastated as Sita disappeared from his sight.
The reason for his decision becomes clear when we recognize that that husband was not the only role he played. He was also King. And in that role, he had to deliver justice. And justice means you apply the same rules to similar acts irrespective of who did it - a King or peasant.
In other words he had to apply the same rule to himself as was applied for other similar situations. And the village folk had started pointing this out. How could he be just if he had a different rule for himself.
The story of Rams grief is seldom talked about. He was aware that his choice based on commitment to justice would render tremendous pain to himself and Sita. But he felt that was the "right" thing to do because in the role of a King he had to set an example
Bali and Sugreeva
It is being talked about that Ram having cooperated with Sugreeva for killing Bali was not justified. Because apparently Sugreeva and Bali were in a fight and Ram hides behind a tree to kills Bali as previously planned with Sugreeva.
People forget that in the conversation between Ram and Bali, Ram had advised Bali not to torment his brother. He also mentioned it was not dharma (right conduct) to forcefully take another's wife (Bali had taken Sugreevas wife).
Balis response was interesting. He said dharma and adharma (right and wrong conduct) were applicable only to the world of humans. They didn't apply in the case of animals. And he being a monkey it didn't apply to him. He also said is someone has more might, let them fight with him and win and take his wife back.
Rams response is even more interesting. He said if one has evolved to the state where one is able to understand and talk about Dharma and Adharma, he is obviously bound by it.
But Bali would have none of it.
Ram and Sita
I've heard passionate arguments from seemingly intelligent people who maintained that King Ram was not an example of a loving husband because he deserted his wife despite her devotedness to him.
However when you read the Ramayan you understand that Ram continued to have his fondest love for Sita. He was devastated as Sita disappeared from his sight.
The reason for his decision becomes clear when we recognize that that husband was not the only role he played. He was also King. And in that role, he had to deliver justice. And justice means you apply the same rules to similar acts irrespective of who did it - a King or peasant.
In other words he had to apply the same rule to himself as was applied for other similar situations. And the village folk had started pointing this out. How could he be just if he had a different rule for himself.
The story of Rams grief is seldom talked about. He was aware that his choice based on commitment to justice would render tremendous pain to himself and Sita. But he felt that was the "right" thing to do because in the role of a King he had to set an example
Bali and Sugreeva
It is being talked about that Ram having cooperated with Sugreeva for killing Bali was not justified. Because apparently Sugreeva and Bali were in a fight and Ram hides behind a tree to kills Bali as previously planned with Sugreeva.
People forget that in the conversation between Ram and Bali, Ram had advised Bali not to torment his brother. He also mentioned it was not dharma (right conduct) to forcefully take another's wife (Bali had taken Sugreevas wife).
Balis response was interesting. He said dharma and adharma (right and wrong conduct) were applicable only to the world of humans. They didn't apply in the case of animals. And he being a monkey it didn't apply to him. He also said is someone has more might, let them fight with him and win and take his wife back.
Rams response is even more interesting. He said if one has evolved to the state where one is able to understand and talk about Dharma and Adharma, he is obviously bound by it.
But Bali would have none of it.
