Why Didn't Other People Ask For Boons To Defend Against The Rakshasas

“Then I, resembling a cloud and having molten-golden earrings, made my way into Vishvamitra’s ashrama, for I was very proud of my strength due to the boon given to me by Lord Brahma. As soon as I entered, Rama quickly noticed me and raised His weapon. Though He saw me, Rama strung His bow without any fear.” (Maricha speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 38.16-17)

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ततोऽहं मेघसङ्काशस्तप्तकाञ्चनकुण्डलः।
बली दत्तवरोदर्पादाजगाम तदाश्रमम्।।
तेन दृष्टः प्रविष्टोऽहं सहसैवोद्यतायुधः।
मां तु दृष्ट्वा धनुस्सज्यमसम्भ्रान्तश्चकार सः।।

tato’haṃ meghasaṅkāśastaptakāñcanakuṇḍalaḥ।
balī dattavarodarpādājagāma tadāśramam।।
tena dṛṣṭaḥ praviṣṭo’haṃ sahasaivodyatāyudhaḥ।
māṃ tu dṛṣṭvā dhanussajyamasambhrāntaścakāra saḥ।।

“Why didn’t someone ask for the boon of defeating Ravana? I get it that we shouldn’t be after material rewards. We should focus on something superior. It is like asking to be left-back in high school for an extra year. We might have some fun, but it is only delaying the inevitable. Eventually, we will have to leave and enter the real world.

“That is a place with little shelter. Dog eat dog, as far as competition. You better find a job or you are in trouble. Even then, some terrible leader might decide to one day put your company out of business. It has happened before. A crooked federal prosecutor once destroyed a century-old multi-national corporation through a false indictment. That penalty was later overturned by the highest court in the land, but the damage was already done. Everyone lost their job.

“Ravana, the king of ogres, rose to power on the strength of boons provided by Lord Brahma, the creator. In other words, the achievement was not of his own doing. The same can be said of the other Rakshasas, those of Ravana’s ilk living in Lanka.

“One such Rakshasa was Maricha. He was known for regularly attacking the yajna of Vishvamitra. An overseas travel mission, intended to spoil the activities in dharma of an innocent man. Who would stoop so low? Who could be so wicked in character as to interfere with saintly priests living hundreds of miles away?

“Never mind the motive for now. We know the source of the strength, and it was the demigods. Why did not other individuals rise to the occasion and ask for similar powers? Why were not others standing in line asking for retaliatory strength, in order to defend the pious and maintain order in the world?”

The situation is easier to understand if we take a simpler example. Suppose someone is looking for a job. They see an opening at a company, on their website. They apply for the position, and during the interview process they make it known how eager they are to start and do well.

“I promise you, I will be the best employee here. You will not regret the decision. I can step up to the plate. I can withstand the pressure. Look at my track record. I stay with my employers for a long time. I am looking to be in this for an extended period.”

Suppose that the employer agrees. They have thus filled the position. A week later, someone else applies. They are just as eager. They are just as skilled. They make a heartfelt plea to the employer, but to no avail. The reason for the denial is that there is nothing open. It was first-come, first-serve.

In the same way, if Ravana already received the boon of being immune from every type of creature except human being, what can anyone else do? Can they ask to be able to defeat Ravana in battle? If they are not within the human category, then Brahma sure as well cannot nullify his other boons. He cannot go back on his word.

Another factor to consider is time. Known as kala in Sanskrit, the full manifestation, where it is clearly evident, is at the moment of death. Thus time and death are synonymous in Sanskrit. Kala has yet to meet defeat. It began its onslaught long ago and it continues to this day.

Whatever boons someone receives from Brahma or other empowered demigods remain within the jurisdiction of the material world. Again and again the host of beings arrive, remain for some time, and then get annihilated.

भूत-ग्रामः स एवायं
भूत्वा भूत्वा प्रलीयते
रात्र्य्-आगमे ऽवशः पार्थ
प्रभवत्य् अहर्-आगमे

bhūta-grāmaḥ sa evāyaṁ
bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate
rātry-āgame ‘vaśaḥ pārtha
prabhavaty ahar-āgame

“Again and again the day comes, and this host of beings is active; and again the night falls, O Partha, and they are helplessly dissolved.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 8.19)

Despite his protections, Ravana was still vulnerable to time. His eventual defeat at the hands of the avatara known as Rama was simply a special manifestation of time. It is one of the most celebrated instances due to the previous petition by the demigods to have Vishnu intervene.

This is the smarter route to take. Ask for the protection of God the person, who is time itself. When He acts in a personal way, everyone involved benefits greatly. Ravana saw God directly at the time of death. The demigods knew they had made the correct decision. The devotees in Ayodhya and elsewhere were pleased to have had direct contact with the one who gives transcendental pleasure to others. This is the true meaning of an existence.

In Closing:

First-come, first-serve,
No matter how much to deserve.

In this way the demigod to grant,
To nullify previously can’t.

Better when on Rama to rely,
Than for temporary stature to try.

Since eventually vulnerable to time,
Different with Bhagavan to find.

Why Is It A Curse To Be Born A Rakshasa

“Then I, resembling a cloud and having molten-golden earrings, made my way into Vishvamitra’s ashrama, for I was very proud of my strength due to the boon given to me by Lord Brahma. As soon as I entered, Rama quickly noticed me and raised His weapon. Though He saw me, Rama strung His bow without any fear.” (Maricha speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 38.16-17)

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ततोऽहं मेघसङ्काशस्तप्तकाञ्चनकुण्डलः।
बली दत्तवरोदर्पादाजगाम तदाश्रमम्।।
तेन दृष्टः प्रविष्टोऽहं सहसैवोद्यतायुधः।
मां तु दृष्ट्वा धनुस्सज्यमसम्भ्रान्तश्चकार सः।।

tato’haṃ meghasaṅkāśastaptakāñcanakuṇḍalaḥ।
balī dattavarodarpādājagāma tadāśramam।।
tena dṛṣṭaḥ praviṣṭo’haṃ sahasaivodyatāyudhaḥ।
māṃ tu dṛṣṭvā dhanussajyamasambhrāntaścakāra saḥ।।

“From reading the Ramayana, I am fascinated by the story of the Rakshasas. These are essentially the bad guys. Spirit souls at the core, mind you. Everyone should be looked upon equally in that light; the designation of species is based only on the outside covering.

विद्या-विनय-सम्पन्ने
ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि
शुनि चैव श्व-पाके च
पण्डिताः सम-दर्शिनः

vidyā-vinaya-sampanne
brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śuni caiva śva-pāke ca
paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ

“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 5.18)

“We shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but here the distinctions have to be made due to the behavior. The Rakshasas are wicked in intent. They do not leave well enough alone. They are something like man-eating ogres.

“What I find interesting is that they weren’t originally that way. Such births were not accidental. In the case of Maricha, he was directly cursed. Agastya Rishi does not like to be harassed. Such saintly people dedicate their entire lives to worshiping the Almighty. There is no reason for someone to interfere. Sometimes they pay dearly for it.

“I guess I am comparing to the modern day. If you told someone that they would get the ability to change shapes at will, they would probably love it. If they knew that they could attack others undetected, seeing through the dark of night, I think they would take advantage. They would view it as a blessing, not a curse.”

The key is to think long-term. Focus on the larger picture. In our childhood, we think that the happenings within school are everything. What the teacher says. The gossip about the child who sits in the back of the classroom. Who will be attending the big dance at the end of the year? Will the school football team finish first in its division?

Years later, when the same students have become parents of their own, they barely recall any of those issues. The old setting turns trivial rather quickly. If I knew then what I know now, I would have behaved differently. The saints of the Vedic tradition are fully aware of the transition. They know how I will think towards the end of life, long before I reach that stage.

When reviewing the cycle of birth and death, the rational person indeed views birth as a Rakshasa as a curse. Because the sinful behavior associated with that form must manifest. We may not see the results immediately, but they are guaranteed to arrive.

The optimistic outlook essentially sees an opportunity to lie, cheat and steal with impunity. The truth is that there is never such license. Maricha learned this the hard way. He and his friends were accustomed to attacking Vishvamitra Muni in the forest. They would intentionally disrupt a yajna, taking great pleasure in spoiling the dedicated efforts in dharma of the other side.

Maricha should have known that his form was a curse, that he was previously in a similar situation with Agastya Rishi. An aspect of the curse is forgetfulness. Making the same mistake twice. Ignoring the lessons from history. Maricha continued in his sinful ways, until one day a stronger force was on the other side.

This was the embodiment of dharma. Shri Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, stood guard at Vishvamitra’s yajna. Though only a youth at the time, though supposedly the pupil learning from the teacher, Rama was ready to defend.

He did just that, successfully thwarting the attack of the proud Maricha. The Rakshasa later recounted the story as a warning to Ravana, the king of ogres in Lanka. The supposed blessing of the Rakshasa form was no match for the Supreme Lord, whose many faces include all-devouring time.

The human birth is the most auspicious form due to the ability to connect with Rama, to remember Him, to serve Him, and to remain conscious of Him up until the time of death. This is superior to cheating others, to intruding areas undetected, to enjoying eating and sleeping in excess, and being falsely proud over temporary achievements.

In Closing:

Birth as curse considered,
Since difficult to be delivered.

In sinful life staying,
Illusion strongly swaying.

Even if previously without defeat,
Changed when Shri Rama to meet.

Like Maricha the hard way found,
By arrow learned lesson sound.

Have The Courage To Suffer The Contempt Of The Sophisticated World

“Then I, resembling a cloud and having molten-golden earrings, made my way into Vishvamitra’s ashrama, for I was very proud of my strength due to the boon given to me by Lord Brahma. As soon as I entered, Rama quickly noticed me and raised His weapon. Though He saw me, Rama strung His bow without any fear.” (Maricha speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 38.16-17)

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ततोऽहं मेघसङ्काशस्तप्तकाञ्चनकुण्डलः।
बली दत्तवरोदर्पादाजगाम तदाश्रमम्।।
तेन दृष्टः प्रविष्टोऽहं सहसैवोद्यतायुधः।
मां तु दृष्ट्वा धनुस्सज्यमसम्भ्रान्तश्चकार सः।।

tato’haṃ meghasaṅkāśastaptakāñcanakuṇḍalaḥ।
balī dattavarodarpādājagāma tadāśramam।।
tena dṛṣṭaḥ praviṣṭo’haṃ sahasaivodyatāyudhaḥ।
māṃ tu dṛṣṭvā dhanussajyamasambhrāntaścakāra saḥ।।

“I love the Ramayana story. It is inspiring, uplifting, entertaining, instructional, and full of wisdom. I can see why it is a timeless classic. I just love how the original language has been maintained through these many thousands of years.

“You will have different interpretations based on the time and circumstance. Just look at the way English has evolved. If you read documents and published works from the time of the American founding, the phrasing is different. There are run-on sentences. People would capitalize the first letter of every noun. Strange stuff to us today, but that is how people of that time would write. It was considered proper.

“No matter what happens with the evolution of time, we still have the original Sanskrit verses from the Ramayana and other important Vedic texts, such as Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam. I particularly love how the main character, Shri Rama, defends against the innocent. He is supposed to be an avatara of the Almighty, and so His abilities are extraordinary.

“How do you convince people of that fact? How do you convey the enhanced ability in fighting found in the Supreme Lord? How do you make it comprehensible to people who otherwise might doubt? Well, you pit Rama against the worst enemies a person can imagine.

“Today, that might be an extraordinary military force. Fighter jets. Tanks. Drone strikes. Heat-seeking missiles. All supported by an army massive in soldier-count. During Rama’s time, as documented by the Ramayana, the enemies were actually more powerful. They didn’t need any of the modern technology because their personal abilities were beyond belief.

“Take Maricha, for instance. He could change shapes at will. He would arrive in the nighttime, nishachara. He came from Lanka, where its leader, Ravana, was so feared that people considered him to be invincible.

“The eldest son of King Dasharatha, the elder brother of Lakshmana, defended against such attackers. In one case He taught Maricha a lesson never to be forgotten. One man, who was a youth at the time, more capable than His devious enemies, who were on offense.

“I guess one issue people would have is believability. They may believe in God, but they would have a difficult time following the accounts from the Ramayana. It resembles mythology to them. After all, who has seen a man-eating ogre in real-life? Who has seen a handsome youth fire a single arrow that threw back an attacker eight hundred miles, without killing them?

“Followers of such a tradition get mocked. They are considered to be primitive, not fully developed in mind. Some people capitulate. They agree to the mythology angle in order to get along. They want acceptance in the higher social circles. What can be done?”

The sophisticated world will not get me anywhere significant, especially when considering the longer-term goal. This is known as paramartha in Sanskrit. The foolish person focuses only on svartha. Such as how to satisfy the taste buds today. Where to eat dinner. What video game to play next. Which partner for enjoying intimate association.

The acharyas of the Vedic tradition, who align with the original authors of these great Sanskrit works, understand the bigger picture. They know that life and death occur in a repeating cycle. There is a way to break free. Just as Rama released arrows to end the reign of terror of Ravana and his ogre-men, so the same Supreme Lord can rescue me from the dreaded fate of a repeat birth.

Whether the sophisticated world accepts me or not is irrelevant. A wise person understands that life itself is a miracle. Everything in the material world is without a rational explanation. How did the sun just emerge one day and remain fixed in position for seemingly eternity? How did the plants and flowers align where they did? How do the clouds know to pick up water and then return it back to the earth? How does the earth stay in orbit?

If such miracles already take place, is it a stretch to believe that a devious human-like character could change shapes at will and attack in the middle of the night? The less intelligent consider those to be amazing abilities, but the wise understand that even living for thousands of years is nothing in comparison to the potency in the Almighty. He is Shri Rama, and devotion to Him is always the sane and rational decision.

In Closing:

From Ramayana accounts to receive,
Found abilities not to believe.

Like changing shapes at will,
And forests with terror to fill.

The Rakshasas from Lanka coming,
But ideal victim for Rama becoming.

Who greater than the mind can conceive,
By the sophisticated be not deceived.

Three Kinds Of Strong Opposition To Devotion

“Then I, resembling a cloud and having molten-golden earrings, made my way into Vishvamitra’s ashrama, for I was very proud of my strength due to the boon given to me by Lord Brahma. As soon as I entered, Rama quickly noticed me and raised His weapon. Though He saw me, Rama strung His bow without any fear.” (Maricha speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 38.16-17)

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ततोऽहं मेघसङ्काशस्तप्तकाञ्चनकुण्डलः।
बली दत्तवरोदर्पादाजगाम तदाश्रमम्।।
तेन दृष्टः प्रविष्टोऽहं सहसैवोद्यतायुधः।
मां तु दृष्ट्वा धनुस्सज्यमसम्भ्रान्तश्चकार सः।।

tato’haṃ meghasaṅkāśastaptakāñcanakuṇḍalaḥ।
balī dattavarodarpādājagāma tadāśramam।।
tena dṛṣṭaḥ praviṣṭo’haṃ sahasaivodyatāyudhaḥ।
māṃ tu dṛṣṭvā dhanussajyamasambhrāntaścakāra saḥ।।

1. Words of derision

“You are one of these thumpers now? Follow my book or else. You don’t want to risk living in hell for eternity. If you don’t accept, then you’re in deep trouble. No second chances. This is the last opportunity. Sign up, accept the savior, and then I will leave you alone.

“Come on, man! Don’t you see it’s all a scam? They’ve made a sucker out of you, knowing you were in a vulnerable state. Life is confusing. I get it. Who really knows what is going on, why we are here, what to do moving forward, and so forth. But don’t be fooled by these conmen. They are only after money. I thought you were smarter than that.”

2. Shutting down houses of worship

“This is for your own good. We have to keep people safe. No more meetings larger than ten people. Even then, every person is to keep their distance from each other. You can say hello and bye-bye, but no embracing.

“Don’t worry, this is just for a few weeks. Make this sacrifice now and everything will be better. Don’t be selfish. God is not helping you. Science will save the day. We are following science. You don’t need the house of worship in order to be happy and fulfilled.”

3. Physical violence

As if the two preceding cases weren’t egregious enough in violation of the rights of the individual, who has an inclination to follow its dharma, there is the extreme case of physical violence. This has occurred many times throughout history. Several of the greatest wars have been predicated on a difference in spiritual practice, in the acceptance or lack thereof regarding a particular faith.

The Ramayana describes many historical incidents of violence which interfere with basic religion. In one case Vishvamitra Muni wanted to complete a specific vrata. This is a vow or observance. There were accompanying rules. He had gone to a remote area to focus. This was his playing field. Fewer distractions. Difficult for others to locate.

The timing was the dark of night. Vishvamitra required several consecutive nights of a sacrificial fire burning. This is known as yajna, and the Sanskrit word is synonymous with the Supreme Lord. Yajna is another name for Him, though often times the person conducting the sacrifice may not be aware.

The interference came from two notable Rakshasas. This is a species of man-eating ogre. The spirit is still alive today, though we may not see the exact same features. The Rakshasas during the Ramayana time could change shapes at will. They arrived in these inauspicious births through curses applied by venerable sages. The curses were in retaliation to impious behavior. Instead of a lengthy prison sentence, you could be cursed to take birth as a Rakshasa.

The ogres arrived from Lanka. It is as if they knew what was going on. They timed the strikes perfectly. Right as Vishvamitra was about to succeed, Maricha and Subahu would throw blood and pus onto the fire. They would ruin everything and then leave.

This was a terrible disruption to religious activity. Completely unnecessary, but the demon class never has sufficient justification for their interference. They are wholly against any exercise of devotion to the Almighty, who is their sworn enemy. The demons understand that if real religion, dharma, rises to prominence, then more eyes will notice the sinful activity in others. More observers makes it more difficult to steal, to kill for flesh, to invade on territory that doesn’t belong to you.

This was the strongest kind of opposition to devotion, but Vishvamitra had a last resort. He visited the town of Ayodhya. After exchanging pleasantries with the king, Dasharatha, the sage asked for the king’s eldest son as a bodyguard.

Shri Rama was but a youth at the time, and Dasharatha was completely attached. The king was mortified at the request. A sage was asking for Rama’s assistance in the forest. Rama was supposed to be a pupil in the military arts. How was He supposed to defend against the worst Rakshasas in the world?

Dasharatha trusted his instinct to not deny the request of a brahmana. Vishvamitra brought along Rama’s younger brother, as well. The next time Maricha and Subahu attacked was the last. Rama defended the yajna perfectly. The great sun of the solar dynasty strung His bow without hesitation. The arrow released knocked the villains backward and away from the yajna.

The same Rama continues to protect to this day. Instead of travelling to Ayodhya to request assistance from the king, we can simply sing the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. The demons will continue in their interference, but the relief from the Almighty is an undefeated force.

In Closing:

The sage brilliant and austere,
But Rakshasas trying to interefere,

Extinguishing fire from blood thrown,
Vile nature in violation shown.

But then from Ayodhya getting,
Help by Rama there setting.

So that tall and fearless to stand,
Enemies hurled back to their land.

When Fourteen Years Is Not Enough

“O Rama, for as long as You shall stand before me, even if it be for one hundred years, I will always remain Your servant. Therefore You should be the one to choose a beautiful and appropriate place for the cottage. After You have selected a spot, please then command me to start building.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 15.7)

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परवानस्मि काकुत्स्थ त्वयि वर्षशतं स्थिते |
स्वयं तु रुचिरे देशे क्रियतामिति मां वद ||

paravānasmi kākutstha tvayi varṣaśataṃ sthite |
svayaṃ tu rucire deśe kriyatāmiti māṃ vada ||

Friend1: I think I remember reading where Goswami Tulsidas prefers to worship the Supreme Lord when situated in the forest.

Friend2: Tulsidas the Vaishnava poet. The Supreme Lord as the avatara known as Shri Rama. The forest, as in where He spent a significant amount of His earthly pastimes.

Friend1: I don’t think the reference is to the period of youth, where Rama and Lakshmana are under the tutelage of Vishvamitra Muni. This is when Rama is with Sita Devi, His wife. Lakshmana is there, too. He is the dedicated younger brother.

Friend2: Why would Tulsidas prefer that setting?

Friend1: It is in comparison to the regal life in Ayodhya. In many pictures you will see Sita and Rama seated on the throne, worshiped by others.

Friend2: Since Rama eventually did become king. The fourteen years in the forest came to an end. They did not remain detached from civilization forever.

Friend1: Okay, so why would someone prefer that setting? I am not judging; just curious. Wouldn’t we want to view God in all His glory, when He has complete power?

Friend2: Some people certainly do prefer that impression. Tulsidas is putting forward his opinion so that others know his mood.

Friend1: And what is that?

Friend2: You are much closer to God when He is outside of the role as king of a civilized community.

Friend1: How so? It seems like that is a situation of torture. Your fourteen years is a form of punishment. It is a mark of Queen Kaikeyi’s greed. She shouldn’t have interfered. Rama was supposed to be the next king. The plans were already set. Kaikeyi got in the way and manipulated her husband, King Dasharatha.

Friend2: Sita and Lakshmana did not view it as torture. They were more than happy to accompany Rama.

Friend1: Okay, but that is a kind of sacrifice. You can’t tell me they really enjoyed that setting.

Friend2: That is exactly what I am saying. They were not lacking a single thing. Lakshmana told Rama that he would continue as servant, even if commanded for one hundred years consecutively. Do you understand the importance of that?

Friend1: No.

Friend2: It indicates that no one was keeping an eye on the clock. They weren’t trying to run out the time. They were so happy to be in Rama’s presence that they forgot about time.

Friend1: I get it that you are pleased to be with someone you love, but how can you be happy in a place with nothing to do?

Friend2: As opposed to a bustling city, with more opportunities for enjoyment.

Friend1: Exactly. It’s neat to go camping every once in a while. Travel is a good way to break the routine. But no one wants to do that for a living. I don’t want to be forced to live away from society for fourteen years. That is like a prison sentence.

Friend2: Normally it would be, but if you have the association of the Supreme Lord, you can turn any place into heaven and beyond. That is one of the secrets to that image. There is a reason that Tulsidas and others prefer to worship Rama in that setting. They know that nothing in this world matters as much as devotional service, which is the true dharma of the individual.

In Closing:

To forest period referring,
Tulsidas that scene preferring.

Because peace in that setting,
Closer connection getting.

Rama in that forest time,
With Sita and Lakshmana to find.

With nothing else to distract,
Essence of dharma to extract.

How To Pass The Time When Away From Civilization

“O Rama, for as long as You shall stand before me, even if it be for one hundred years, I will always remain Your servant. Therefore You should be the one to choose a beautiful and appropriate place for the cottage. After You have selected a spot, please then command me to start building.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 15.7)

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परवानस्मि काकुत्स्थ त्वयि वर्षशतं स्थिते |
स्वयं तु रुचिरे देशे क्रियतामिति मां वद ||

paravānasmi kākutstha tvayi varṣaśataṃ sthite |
svayaṃ tu rucire deśe kriyatāmiti māṃ vada ||

“In reading the Ramayana, I’m wondering how Sita, Rama and Lakshmana were able to tolerate living in the forest for that long. I like it when we go camping. It is fun for a few days. The outdoors is different from what we are used to. I guess you could call it survivalist or roughing it. Something unique, for sure.

“Even in that situation, there is still some resemblance to normal life. We have electricity, to a degree. My other friends bring their portable televisions. Music players. Smartphones, though cell coverage may not be available. We also know that there is a fixed amount of time, that we will eventually return to the comfort of home.

“How did that group last for fourteen years? Especially Sita Devi and Lakshmana, since they were not within the line of fire. They were not ordered to leave Ayodhya for fourteen years. They accepted the punishment voluntarily, in a show of solidarity.

“I know that we have trouble on long-haul flights. If travelling to a different part of the world, I worry over how to pass the time seated in one place. There is in-flight entertainment, but even that is insufficient when dealing with ten or more hours to occupy.”

Based on our attachment to the familiar surroundings, it may seem impossible to spend even a week in an area detached from civilization, but for Lakshmana and Sita there was no hesitation. The wife explained to Rama that living with Him would be superior to finding heaven, svarga-loka.

एवं वर्षसहस्राणां शतं वाऽहं त्वया सह।
व्यतिक्रमं न वेत्स्यामि स्वर्गोऽपि न हि मे मतः।।

evaṃ varṣasahasrāṇāṃ śataṃ vā’haṃ tvayā saha।
vyatikramaṃ na vetsyāmi svargo’pi na hi me mataḥ।।

“Even if I stay with You for hundreds of thousands of years, I shall not feel any loss. Even residence in the heavenly realm is not preferred by me.” (Sita Devi speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya-kand, 27.20)

She would know a thing or two about advanced living. Sita grew up in royalty, in the home of King Janaka of Mithila. She married into the solar dynasty, as Rama was the son of King Dasharatha, the current monarch in a family tracing its ancestry to Ikshvaku, the son of Manu.

If she could give up the regal life in favor of nothing, it must mean that there is something to Rama’s association. The same applies to Lakshmana. The younger brother would soon forego sleep. In order to maintain Rama’s interest, to apply a protective stance, Lakshmana renounced one of the primary forms of enjoyment for a human being.

Eating, sleeping, mating and defending were limited, but the life was blissful. This is the effect of deep association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Artificial kinds of enjoyment are no longer necessary. A person who grew up watching hours of television each day may eventually give up the practice entirely.

They instead take joy in singing the glories of the Almighty, who has features beyond comprehension. They recount His amazing activities and the dedication of His servants. They lament that each day only has twenty-four hours, that there is not more time to dedicate in that service. They follow the mood of Lakshmana, who promises to remain a dedicated servant for one hundred years consecutively, if given the chance.

In Closing:

For one hundred years to remain,
In occupation the same.

Where the elder orders giving,
And Lakshmana faithfully living.

Since supreme bliss found,
Even on forest’s ground.

The bhakti life displaying,
Fortune not his mind swaying.

Don't People Usually Abandon A Sinking Ship

“O Rama, for as long as You shall stand before me, even if it be for one hundred years, I will always remain Your servant. Therefore You should be the one to choose a beautiful and appropriate place for the cottage. After You have selected a spot, please then command me to start building.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 15.7)

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परवानस्मि काकुत्स्थ त्वयि वर्षशतं स्थिते |
स्वयं तु रुचिरे देशे क्रियतामिति मां वद ||

paravānasmi kākutstha tvayi varṣaśataṃ sthite |
svayaṃ tu rucire deśe kriyatāmiti māṃ vada ||

Friend1: Alright, don’t get mad at me here. I am going to make a reference to reality television in order to discuss a more serious principle.

Friend2: Who says reality television is not serious? Just kidding, but let’s see what you have.

Friend1: In many of these shows, there is periodic elimination. Someone has to go home.

Friend2: Oh, that is the entire drama of it. In each episode someone is sent packing. Sometimes by a house vote, sometimes through an elimination involving a physical challenge. You might even have a real estate mogul who makes the determination on who is hired and who is fired.

Friend1: It is interesting to see the psychology that goes into these things. If there is a deliberation in front of the entire house, one of the best moves is to stay silent.

Friend2: Keep quiet in the hopes of going unnoticed?

Friend1: Exactly. The first person to open their mouth essentially puts a target on their back. Anyway, I was watching recently and during the commentary another contestant made a reference to a drowning man. That you shouldn’t swim next to one.

Friend2: Oh, because they will pull you down with them.

Friend1: If a guy is about to get booted from the show, don’t be associated with them. Stay far away.

Friend2: Makes sense. It is a game of survival, after all.

Friend1: I was thinking that the tendency extends to real life, in general. People hang around the rich guy, but as soon as he loses his wealth, everyone leaves. They show their true colors.

Friend2: That they were only around for the money and prestige. They didn’t really care about the person.

Friend1: Fair-weather friend.

Friend2: Again, that is pretty common.

Friend1: In the Ramayana story, we don’t see that happening. Shri Rama is the heir apparent to the throne in Ayodhya. Then everything gets snatched away from Him. Without prior notice, in an instant, Queen Kaikeyi executes her plan to perfection.

Friend2: A tragedy to open that wonderful real-life drama, immortalized in the verses of Maharishi Valmiki.

Friend1: Rama went from riches to rags. Prince to pauper. But hardly anyone abandoned Him.

Friend2: No one, that I know of. If they loved Him before, they loved Him after.

Friend1: It doesn’t make sense to me. What would they have to gain from the relationship?

Friend2: You mean after the severing from the royal kingdom?

Friend1: In the forest, living like a mendicant for fourteen years, Rama had nothing.

Friend2: Ah, but to Sita and Lakshmana there was everything. Lakshmana considered the elder brother to be just as worthy of association. Not only did he remain an associate, but Lakshmana vowed to continue in the servant role. If commanded for one hundred years straight, Lakshmana would continue to listen, take orders, and follow through.

Friend1: Which is an inconceivable level of devotion. Think about it further. Before dismissing the idea, consider that Rama really had nothing to offer to anyone.

Friend2: Character is everything. Nothing changed about Dasharatha’s eldest son. The circumstances did not make the man. The people knew He was something special. They would never abandon Him. This was the primary contributing factor to the appearance in that place.

Friend1: What do you mean?

Friend2: The Supreme Personality of Godhead can appear anywhere and everywhere. It is at His choosing. He usually won’t go places where there are enemies. Why reward the nonbelievers? Why not honor the supporters, the people who have stood by Him for lifetimes?

Friend1: Makes sense.

Friend2: The people did not care if He was king in the formal sense. He was always their leader. They knew that Rama prosecuted justice fairly and equally. Even the people brought to justice could not say a bad word about Rama. Think about that for a second.

Friend1: Difficult to comprehend since most of our government agencies are thoroughly corrupt. Whenever they investigate a crime, they are more than likely to have committed it in the first place.

Friend2: In time everything was corrected. The wrong became right. Rama was back on the throne. Though He eventually departed for the spiritual world, He is still the leader for those devoted to Him. He is always their king, and they will always sing His glories.

In Closing:

Always in leadership commanding,
As my everything standing.

With arrow and bow in hand,
To follow wherever to land.

Like Sita and Lakshmana so,
No other behavior to know.

Because even in forest residing,
As king of the world presiding.