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Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00056 Feb 2003

 
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Sri:
Srimathe Ramamnujaya nama:

Now the author(Dr. Benjamin Khan) gives his own reasons for SriRama's 
action. It is possible that SugrIva having come to know through 
HanumAn[Cf IV.6.2-4]that Rama's wife had been ravished,placed himself 
in a similar situation to play upon the feeling sof Rama to win his 
support[Cf IV.5.17]. And Rama finding SugrIva in the same situation 
in which he himself was placed,readily made a promise to punish the 
culprit and to get him back his wife. SugrIva after attaining the 
kingdom of his brother makes a promise to help Rama[Cf. IV.5.10,11 
and IV.30.17]. Thus killing of VAli was part of the contract which 
Rama accepted under very compelling circumstances. Rama says to 
VAli:"I too promised and how could a man of my position neglect his 
promise?"

prathij~nA ca mayA dhaththA thadhA vAnara sanniDhau
prathij~nA ca kaTham shAkyA madhviDhEnAnavEkshithum IV.18.27

It should be noted that promise keeping was considered as Dharma and 
eternal virtue[Cf. II.11.29,II.112.25 and I.21.8] in Valmiki 
Ramayana. truth,Dharma and keeping a promise have been identified[Cf. 
I.107.8],for it is said:

"If having promised I will do so,you do not act up to your word,the 
merit you have achieved by digging a tank and by performing 
sacrifices shall come to nought",and in another place SriRama says:

apyham jIvitham jahyam thvAm vA sIthE sa lakshmaNAm |
na thu prathij~nAm samshruthva brahmaNEbhyO visheShatha: || III.10.18

(I can renounce my life,LakshmaNa and SItha but I can not break my 
promise)

We find that promise breaking has been c onsidered a sin or deviation 
from the path of truth[Cf. IV.30.82],whether the promise is good or 
bad it must be kept. Thus SriRama says to LakshmaNa,"He who breaks 
his promise made unto a powerful benefactor who solicits his 
favour,is regarded by people as vile. He is a true hero and an 
excellent person who fulfils his word whether good or bad"[Cf. 
IV.30.72]:

shubham vA yadhi vA pApam yO hi vAkyamudhIritham |
sathyEna parigrhNAthi sa vIra: puruShOththama: || 

Therefore,it can be concluded that Rama's killing of Vali can be 
justified on the ground that Rama gave his promise to SugrIva and a 
promise is equal to Sathya and Sathya is equal to Dharma-thus the 
killing of VAli was in accordance with Dharma.

to be continued...

AzhvAr EmperumAnAr Jeeyar ThiruvadigaLE sharaNam
NC Nappinnai




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