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This article was written by my father A.Krishnan,
author of Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam in Nrisimhapriya



Sages could see Rama as Paramathma because of the
extraordinary powers acquired by them doing rigorous
penance. But there were some women characters in
Ramayanam, who also knew Rama as Paramathma. These
women were not known to have done penance. How did
they then acquire this tremendous power? There is no
answer to this question.

We shall first take up the study of  Sumithra. She was
the second queen of King Dasaratha. There is no
mention in Ramayanam about the ancestral details of
Sumithra and under what circumstances she got married
to Dasaratha. There is mention of her cordial
relationship with Kausalya, the first among the three
queens. The type of Sumithra?s relationship with
Kaikeyi had not been touched upon. Sumithra was seen
in the company of Kausalya on important occasions,
before as well as after Rama?s exile to the forest.

When Dasaratha offered the divine Payasam to the three
queens, Kausalya got it first and exactly half the
quantity. Sumithra then got one fourth quantity. One
eighth went to Kaikeyi. One eighth remained
undistributed. Dasaratha thought over and then he gave
again to Sumithra one eighth, which was left over.
Thus Sumithra got Payasam in two instalments, because
of Dasaratha?s particular contemplation. Sage Valmiki
does not explain what exactly was Dasaratha?s logic.

There is scope to comment on this act. No doubt
Sumithra was blessed to beget twins because she drank
Payasam twice. Why was Kausalya, the first among the
queens or Kaikeyi, the most favourite queen not chosen
for this special dispensation? To venture to comment
on this aspect, we find having been stated in
Ramayanam that Dasaratha would be blessed with four
sons. Sumanthara, the great and wise minister had
conveyed this information to Dasaratha and his source
of information had links with the most sacred Sage
Sanathkumara. Dasaratha had, therefore, to offer
Payasam twice to one of the three queens. His logic
might have run on these lines. Kausalya?s son would be
the natural choice to succeed him. So, it would be
desirable to avoid Kausalya bearing twins. Then,
Dasaratha might have taken into account that there was
a pledge to offer the kingdom to the son to be born to
Kaikeyi. He might have been fully conscious of
Kaikeyi?s obstinate nature. So, twins to Kaikeyi might
aggravate any possible complication twofold. Sumithra
was a sobre woman, very wise, far-sighted and well
natured. Dasaratha?s choice, therefore, might have
fallen on her. This is only a guess. Sumithra was
blessed with twins namely Lakshmana and Satrugna. They
both had divine elements within them, but they
exemplified as Bhagawathas, one as a direct servant of
Bhagavan, and the other as servant of a servant of
Bhagavan. Sumithra played a notable part in assigning
them with these roles in which they distinguished,
unsurpassed by any.

Sumithra is not appearing in many scenes in Ramayanam.
There are only two scenes in which she figures. In
both these two scenes, she depicts what extraordinary
qualities she possessed, to reveal her magnanimity,
spirit of detachment, wisdom and more importantly her
ability to recognize in Rama, his divinity.

Rama had decided to leave for the forest, accompanied
by Sita and Lakshmana. Sita?s insistence on
accompanying Rama was natural because a wife could
never be separated from the husband. Lakshmana?s
prayer to brother Rama to let him go to the forest, to
serve Rama was unique. Such fraternal sentiments are
very rare. The three had taken leave of Dasaratha as
also Kausalya. They both poured out emotions and
showed uncontrollable grief. Then came the turn to
take leave of Sumithra. When Lakshmana fell on her
feet, Sumithra, as mother, initially wept. She kissed
her son on his head. She then told him,
 ? You are deeply attached to those near and dear to
you. Son! You are born to live in the forest! Rama is
adored by the world. He is your elder brother too. You
have my permission to go along with him. Attend on him
diligently giving no scope for the slightest lapse.
Dharma of a good man is to be submissive to the
elders. He is your refuge in prosperity as well as in
adversity. This is the tradition of the race to which
you belong. To be of service to the elders,
performance of religious rites strictly on permissive
lines and even to give up life if necessary in
battles, are the qualities of the one born in this
race.?

Sumithra further exhorts Lakshmana with these words,
having in mind Lakshmana?s purposeful life, his well
being, his triumph, his success in vanquishing enemies
and more than anything else for auspicious prevalence.
She said, 
                 
?RAMAM DASARATHAM VIDDI, MAAM VIDDI JANAKATHMAJAYAAM
AYODYAAM ATAPAAM VIDDI, GACCHA THATHA YATHA SUKHAM.?

This is one of the famous slokas in Ramayanam, very
often quoted. The literal meaning of this sloka is,
?Know of Rama as Dasaratha. Know of Sita as me. Know
of Ayodya as the forest. Go child and be happy.?

In this passage, Sumithra reveals her extraordinary
qualities of showing remarkable magnanimity,
forbearance, detachment, and to render the wise
counsel to the right man at the right time. She also
strongly establishes that she had BRAHMAGNANAM, that
is awareness that Rama was Lord Narayana.

While the literal meaning is very apparent and
laudable straightaway, namely treating Rama(elder
brother) as father, treating Sita(elder brother?s
wife) as mother and the forest as Ayodya, it is the
inner meaning, hidden in the beautifully chosen words,
which is astonishing!

Rama is to be treated as Dasaratha. Lord Narayana is
known to possess this name Dasaratha also!
Sumithra says,?MAAM VIDDI JANAKAATHMAJAAYAM?.
Janakaathmaja is Janaka?s daughter and so is Sita. It
is the word MAAM which is a stroke of genius. MAAM 
also means GODDESS LAKSHMI.
VAIKUNTA is also known by the name AYODYA. Vaikunta is
the permanent abode of Lord Narayana, where Goddess
Lakshmi always resides in His chest.
Sumithra thus conveys that Bhagavan and Her consort
are moving to their own place of eternal bliss.
Commentators, therefore, attribute to Sumithra her
innate quality of seeing Paramathma in Rama and
Goddess Lakshmi in Sita, citing this sloka in support
of their interpretation.

We see Sumithra again with a brilliant conversation in
which she mentions in an outstanding way and more
explicitly that Rama was a Paramathma. After Rama,
Sita and Lakshmana left for the forest, Dasaratha lost
consciousness for some time. When he regained
consciousness, he insisted on himself being taken to
Kausalya?s mansion. As Kausalya was by his side,
Dasaratha was asking her to gently touch him and run
her fingers on his body, believing that such a gesture
on her part would give him some solace. Kausalya,
unable to control her emotions,, taunted Dasaratha
using strong words. She posed that Rama could even
have been retained in Ayodya, begging for alms!
Sumithra who was also with them and who was rooted in
Dharma, consoled Kausalya saying,
?Your son is abound with noble qualities. He is
Purushothama( meaning noblest among men but used as a
terminology to refer to Lord Narayana). He is a
compassionate person. Why lament and weep for such a
person? Great Lady! Your son, possessing vast strength
as he does, has sacrificed the kingdom in order to
establish his father as one adhering to Truth. Rama,
by remaining steadfast, strong-willed and pure, has
excelled all those who have preached and practiced
Dharma, which is highly rewarding in life and there is
no cause to grieve for him. Lakshmana who is
compassionate to all living beings, by his splendid
service, upright conduct and faultless attention is
there to support and this great soul is indeed
blessed! Sita, who is always intent to give comfort to
Rama, is there in the forest with him, knowing fully
what hardships are there to face and follows Rama
faithfully. One who is the lord of the world, who has
perfect self control, who remains firmly with the
principles of Truth, who is adored for exhibiting
splendid personal qualities, is your son. Is it
correct to consider that he has not achieved anything
more? Taking into account Rama?s immaculate purity,
eminent greatness, great background, Sun God will not
cast burning rays on him! Wind God, who blows out
normally in ample measure in forests in all seasons,
will spread cool breeze causing Rma pleasure and thus
be submissive to him! Moon God will spread cool rays
on faultless Rama, as he sleeps, as caring father
would gently embrace his fond son! Lord Brahma(
indirectly  referring to Sage Viswamithra) has given
mighty weapons to Rama, the great warrior and tiger
among men! He possesses immense strength by birth.
Though he lives in the forest, it is as though he
lives in a mansion, with determined mind. The whole
Earth is bound to be amenable to him, who vanquishes
all his enemies. Rama is so fascinating and so
valourous and as he is endowed with all supremely
noble qualities,  he is bound to regain the kingdom
eventually, on completing the forest life. Great Lady!
Rama is God to gods! He is the greatest among all
beings! He is Sun to Sun! He is Fire to Fire! He is
Lord of all lords! He is Wealth to Goddess Lakshmi! He
is first among those endowed with fame! He gives new
dimensions to tolerance. What can do him any harm,
whether he is in the city or in the forest? Rama of
such eminence, will soon be crowned with all the three
namely, Earth, Sita and Goddess of Wealth! What could
be the beyond the reach of the one, the guiltless
warrior, for whom all the people of Ayodya, showed
their immense grief and shed tears, while seeing him
clad in wood barks and departing for the forest,
accompanied as he was by Goddess Lakshmi  in the form
of Sita? Lakshmana, who is eminent as a bowman,
wielding weapons, swords and arrows, stands in front
of Rama and walks with valour. What is it that cannot
be achieved by Rama? I tell you with all vehemence in
the name of Truth. Shed grief and gloom. You will see
Rama completing his forest life and returning. You
will see again your son like the rising Moon, falling
at your feet and bowing you with his head. You will
see him getting crowned and ruling the great kingdom
and your eyes will be drenched by joyful tears.
Nothing inauspicious will happen to Rama. You need
have no grief nor sorrow. You will see him soon in the
company of Sita and Lakshmana. Do not give scope for
misgivings to haunt your heart. You are the one to
console others. For such a woman like you, Rama is the
son. There is no one in the world who is superior to
Rama, who knows and treads on sacred path?

Sumithra thus refers to Rama as Lord Narayana Himself.
Her words are so self revealing that any commentary is
hardly needed. It is remarkable that Rama?s
step-mother Sumithra saw in him all the features of
God but neither own mother Kausalya and father
Dasaratha who gave birth to him had this realization!



                
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