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SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00090 Jun 2003

 
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On this father's day, let us enjoy pondering over some narrations from 
ourIthihaasas.



Mahaabhharatham, Vanaparva, Chapter 183 includes the narration by the great 
sage Maarkkandaeya of a story related to a learned Brahmin called Kousika(whose 
fiery eyes burnt a bird) and a chaste lady and a dutiful son named 
Dhharmavyaadhha. This story is well known to many, but for ther benefit ofthose 
who do not know here is a short narration:



Once there was a holy brahmin named Kousika. One day, he was doing Vaedha 
Paaraayanam sitting under a tree. A bird dropping fell on his head and he was 
immediately upset. He looked up in disgust. As soon as his fiery eyes met the 
bird perched atop the tree, it was reduced to ashes. Kousika repented for his 
action and regretted his anger. Feeling sorry for the bird, heleft there and 
went into town for his BIKSHAA (unchavriththi) and stood infront of a house. 
The lady of the house beckoned him to wait alittle bit.Then her husband came 
home and she spent some considerable time attendingto him. Remembering that the 
brahmin was waiting outside, she went out to him with some food. Sensing his 
disappointment and anger for having had to wait, she politely apologised for 
the delay, but eexplained that her husband was her first priority. Thus the 
delay. She added acidly, "I am no bird. If you desire any further explanation, 
maybe you would like to visitwith Dhharmavyaadhha at Mithhilaapuri."



Wondering how she knew about the bird, Kaushika went to Mythhila and saw this 
young Dhharmavyaadhha sitting in his shop busy selling meat. Seeing the 
brahmin, the youngster went to Kousika and respectfully offered his 
namaskaarams and suggested that they go home and talk about the bird anfd the 
lady. The brahmin was immensely surprised that the youngster was already aware 
of the purpose of his visit. The host further informed that his familybusiness 
put him in the meat trade, but he duly performed his duty to hisparents by 
taking care of them with great care and affection. As they reached home, which 
was a well furnished palatial place, the guest was invited to meet the parents 
of Dhharmavyaadhha who were seated comfortably, appearing happy and peaceful.



By way of explaing the paramount importance of doing one's own duty, 
Dhharmavyaadhha says:



Pithaa maathaa cha Bhagavan aethou math dhaivatham param

Yath dhaevathaebhhyah karthavyam thath aethaabhhyaam karomi aham.

?My father and mother are my ultimate gods. I perform to them those poojaas 
that are done to the Gods.



Dhharmavyaadhha was a meat seller from a low caste, but due to his strict 
observance of affectionate and dedicated service to parents, he occupied a high 
spiritual pedestal and ended up being a teacher to the learned Brahmin.  



Our Vaedhas and Shaasthras put Mothers, Fathers and Gurus (in that order) at 
the topmost in the hierarchy for our prayers and duty. Let us respectfully 
learn from the story of Lord Raama, the embodiment of all virtues:

 

Sree Vaalmeeki Raamaayanam, Ayodhhyaa Kaandam, 2.19.22, 21.36,21.41

?There is no virtue higher than service to one?s father and obedience to his 
commands. ?No evil can come to those who obey the behests of theirfather?  

?Virtue reigns supreme. To obey the commands of the father is only in 
consonance with the laws of Virtue?..??



2.111.2 Vasishtta to Raama: Mother, Father and the Teacher are the three Gurus 
for all.

2.111.9 Raama to Vasishtta: Considering what have all been done by mothers and 
father (in raising us),

it is hardly possible for the sons and daughters EVER to repay adequately by 
service to parents during their old age.

 

Perhaps the best known story that relates to ?following father?s command? is 
Raamaayanam.

PITHRU VAAKHYA PARIPAALANAM. What is so distinguishing in this case is that the 
son sets out to do what the father is supposed to have commanded, though the 
father never really did so. Dasharathha had given two boons to Kaikaeyee and 
she was just cashing in on them. The son just would not put his father in a 
position as to have to renege on his promise, whatever the price. SON?S DUTY TO 
FATHER!!!

 

Kaikaeyee to Raama: ?On a previous occasion, during a war between Daevas and 
asuras, your father had given me two boons. Now, I have accordingly asked for 
two of my wishes to be carried out which involve you too. Naturallyhe should 
keep up his words; but after hearing me, he is in two minds and this great king 
behaves like a weakling. Whatever happens to be my desire, if you promise to 
make your father compliant, then I will tell you further about it.



Raama to Kaikaeyee: Aham hi vachanaath raagnyah pathaeyamapi paavakae.  

Bhhakshayaeyam visham theekshnam majjaeyam api chaarnavae



?If it were (my father) Chakravarthi?s command, I will jump into fire or drink 
vicious poison or drown in a sea. Oh mother, how can you doubt this??



Kaikaeyee to Raama: Based on his promise to me, I have requested that you be 
sent to Dhandakaaranya forest for fourteen years and that Bhharatha be 
installed on the throne of Ayodhhya. The emperor is worried about it. Justto 
enable him to keep up his words to me, you should go to the forest for fourteen 
years and let Bharatha be installed on the throne.

Due to his overwhelming affection for you, he will not be able to tell you this 
directly. But I know you would not want your father to fail in keeping up his 
word (to me)?.



This conversation took place in the presence of King Dasharathha but he didnot 
say a word. He was in a catch22 state, in a stance, damned either way. He would 
have to go back on his promise or ask Raama to go to forest!!! What a choice!!! 

 

How did Raama reply?

 

Raama to Kaikaeyee: ?So will it be. I will immediately go to the forest.Do I 
even need to confirm that I will obey whatever be my father?s orders?

 

The rest of the story is ths story everybody knows. The world over.

 

Sree Raama was none other than Lord Naaraayana Himself. If it was absolutely 
essential for Him to carry out his father?s IMPLIED orders, what can we say 
about the duty of mere mortals like all of us?



On this Father's day, may we invoke Sri Raama's blessings for the benefit of 
all fathers, mothers and children and for the beings in the entire universe.



May we chant the Thaaraka naama as many times and as frequently as we can.



Dhaasan,



Krishna M.


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





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