On The Side Of The Devas

“O Vaidehi, you shall today see Rama along with Lakshmana, joining in determination like Vishnu killing the Daityas.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 37.22)

drakṣyasi adya eva vaidehi rāghavam saha lakṣmaṇam |
vyavasāya samāyuktam viṣṇum daitya vadhe yathā ||

Though Lord Vishnu is known as the maintainer, He is actually the origin of everything. The unmanifest material substance, pradhana, cannot do anything on its own. It is like having a sofa in the living room. If the desire is to move it someplace else, outside intervention is necessary. Paurusham, human effort, of some kind is necessary.

That Sanskrit word is based on purusha, which is person, enjoyer, male, or spirit. The original purusha is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One of His many names is Vishnu. Purusha is dominant over prakriti, and since no one is superior to Vishnu, He is the original purusha to everything and everyone else who are prakriti.

After glancing over the pradhana and causing the many universes to manifest, Vishnu enters into each space through various expansions. Within the individual living entity He is the Supersoul, also known as Paramatma. In the creation itself He is the maintainer, while Brahma is the creator and Shiva the destroyer.

In each material manifestation time is an important factor. Time is what brings change. Without time, everything would stay exactly the same. There would be no such thing as growth or annihilation. Time has a sort of illusory effect, as well. Sometimes it looks like the bad people are winning. People who lie, cheat, steal, kill and only think of their own welfare, coming at the expense of anyone within their path, rise to prominence. At the same time, the good guys, the pious souls, have to run for safety.

Time is at play, since the situation will not remain that way forever. Time operates through the instrument known as karma, which is fruitive activity. That is to say the impious deeds done in the past will eventually catch up to a person.

Sometimes the time factor arrives in the personal form; either Vishnu Himself or an avatara. One property common to all the appearances is the favoritism. Vishnu is always on the side of the good guys. As a species, they are known as devas. These are living entities with material qualities mostly in the mode of goodness.

The bad guys come in different species, with one of them being the Daityas. This name references the family lineage to a woman named Diti. The devas are also known as the Adityas, since they originate from Diti’s sister Aditi. Within the same family there can be so much difference. One sibling brings good people and the other bad.

When Vishnu does arrive, there is always victory. The Daityas mount a steady opposition, using every ability they have, but they are no match. In one sense the fight isn’t fair, but then again the devas are on the side of good. That is one of the benefits to being associated with the Divine. The infallible one, Achyuta, eventually comes to the rescue.

Shri Hanuman references this favoritism of Vishnu. He says that the Supreme Lord is known for His fixed effort in fighting the Daityas. The demons put up a fight, but Vishnu’s resolve is stronger. Hanuman promises that Rama and Lakshmana will have the same determination. They will make preparations to come to Lanka and fight against the enemies.

Hanuman promises to make the vision a reality, today. That is to say Sita won’t have to wait until a future date. If she ascends his back, Hanuman will return her to Rama, crossing over the expansive ocean. Rama is one such incarnation of Vishnu, and Sita is an incarnation of the goddess of fortune, Lakshmi Devi.

The sentiment is certainly appreciated. Hanuman has a similar determination to right wrongs, since he works for Shri Rama. He is naturally friendly to everyone, but if someone harms the devotees Hanuman turns into the worst nightmare as an enemy. Sita will kindly wait for her husband to arrive on His own, to show the world a glimpse of the potency belonging to the origin of everything.

In Closing:

Of her husband’s potency to know,

Preferring for Him personally to show.

But Hanuman’s sentiment appreciated,

Shakti through ocean leap demonstrated.

Vishnu favoring the side of good,

By opposition not understood.

For devotees always the same,

Protected through holy name.