Four Pairs Of Contradictory Features In Shri Hanuman

“One cannot speak this way without having been well-trained in the Rig Veda, memorized the Yajur Veda, and thoroughly understood the Sama Veda.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana about Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 3.28)

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Bhagavan is full of contradictions. This must be the case, as the origin of everything cannot have the same limits imposed on Him that apply to everyone else. As with birth there must be death, as with happiness there must be sadness, as with heat there must be cold, and as with victory there must be defeat, the same pairs do not apply to Him.

He can be both larger than the largest and smaller than the smallest. He can reside simultaneously in more than one place at a time. This is true already through the expansion of Supersoul, which represents the same identity but has a location of residence inside of every living thing.

Those devoted to Bhagavan can rise to a similar level. One example is Shri Hanuman. A pure devotee, he possesses many pairs of features typically contradictory in nature.

1. Strong and intelligent

Have a task to complete? Need to assemble a team to get a particular job done? Not everyone has the same qualifications. This is the way of the material world, after all. The different species exist for a reason. There are different combinations of the three modes of nature: goodness, passion and ignorance.

In high school the differences are quite clear. You have the athletes. They excel in one or many sports. They have the qualities necessary to run fast, lift heavy objects, or endure through great manual effort expended.

On the other side are the geeks. They have book smarts. They are intelligent. They can solve complex equations in math in a matter of minutes. They can understand literature from the past. They can think ahead, beyond the immediate consequences.

Shri Hanuman is both an athletic-type person and a genius. Many examples from his pastimes prove this, but just one incident gives vivid evidence. The time he met Shri Rama for the first time, Hanuman descended from a high mountaintop. He then showed his intelligence by composing beautiful Sanskrit verses, on the fly, in praise of Rama, who is an incarnation of God. Hanuman then again showed his strength by taking Rama and His brother Lakshmana on the shoulders and bringing them to a meeting with Sugriva on the top of Mount Rishyamukha.

2. Compassionate and fierce

Are you a lover or a fighter? Compassionate or ruthless? Very rare it is to be both, but with Shri Hanuman whatever quality is necessary to please the Supreme Lord will be displayed.

Hanuman showed great compassion when first meeting Sita Devi, Rama’s missing wife who was in Lanka against her will. The dedicated servant chose the appropriate words to win her favor, as he was a stranger to her in a land already filled with duplicitous and evil characters.

In future interactions with Sita, Hanuman showed his ability to be ruthless. After the wicked king of Lanka finally got what was coming to him, it was time for Sita to be returned to Rama. Hanuman went to get her, and he remembered the torture she endured at the hands of Ravana’s female assistants. Hanuman was ready to kill those evil women, but Sita stepped in the way. She had forgiven them, as the struggle was now over.

3. Large and small

A height is fixed, is it not? I can’t be both over six feet tall and under it. Bhagavan is known as Adhokshaja because His features can’t be measured by blunt instruments. That is to say His height is never fixed. The deity in the temple is an indication of His merciful nature, but the worshiped statue does not completely represent His features. He is more than the entire universe combined, and yet He is also smaller than the atom.

Hanuman can become very large when necessary, like for crossing the ocean to reach Lanka to search for Sita. He can become very small at the same time, like after reaching Lanka and searching through the city. He became the size of a cat for that purpose, and that diminutive form did not strike at his ego. Whatever size is necessary Hanuman will take.

4. Quiet guardian and expert teacher

Generally keeping to himself, not bothering anyone, Hanuman exhibits the qualities of a transcendentally realized soul. He does not go out of his way to bother anyone. He is silent in terms of not speaking rubbish. He does not waste people’s time.

When the situation calls for it, Hanuman is not shy in teaching. Such was the case when meeting the brother named Bhima. Hanuman was lying down, blocking the Pandava’s path, protecting him from going to a dangerous area. When the time came to speak, Hanuman described important events from the past and predicted certain ominous conditions for the future.

These pairs of features descend from the Almighty, given to the great devotee to allow the service to proceed in the manner desired. Owning the highest stature a person can have, Shri Hanuman is humble throughout, maintaining focus on the pleasure of Sita and Rama.

In Closing:

Tall like mountain a wonderful sight,

Showing also diminutive height.

Wise like Vedas having read,

Strong enough for enemies to dread.

Quiet when Rama’s kingdom guarding,

Teacher when Bhima’s progress retarding.

Features contradictory since devotee pure,

That Hanuman of fame to endure.

Three Kinds Of Attackers Shri Rama Can Thwart

“Rama showed His tremendous knowledge of fighting by killing the demon Tataka. The muni then gave to Him knowledge of secret mantras to be used in fighting.” (Janaki Mangala, 36)

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The latest spending bill just passed. It was put together hastily. Though senators and congressmen love to lecture the public on civic responsibility and how they take transparency and forthrightness seriously, they only released this legislation to the public two days before it was voted on. Most members of the legislature did not have time to read it fully. After all, who is willing to sit down and study over two thousand pages of minutia?

One of the aspects highlighted by the leader is advancements in defense technology. The best weapons. The best airplanes. The best helicopters. The upgrades are needed since there has been a supposed austerity in the budget for so long. The idea is that the best deterrent of foreign attack is an overwhelmingly strong defense force.

What happens when such weapons end up in the wrong hands? What to do when the most powerful fighters go on offense, attacking the most innocent people in society? Who will defend?

A long time ago there was just one person. Named Shri Rama, He was the eldest son of the king of Ayodhya. Rama used a bow and arrow set, and He was accompanied by His equally capable warrior brother named Lakshmana. The different kinds of attackers Rama thwarted give further proof to the claim of His Divine nature.

1. Those that can’t be seen

Huh? What? Sight is the way to prove an existence, as far as we know. How do you fight someone that you can’t see? Don’t they have an unfair advantage? Forget calling it an advantage, isn’t it impossible to defeat them? In which direction do you aim your weapon? Do you just roll up in the fetal position and hope that the blows you absorb aren’t lethal?

Rama went fearlessly into the forest. Though young at the time, He was the selected bodyguard to the sage known as Vishvamitra. Dasharatha wasn’t in the habit of sending his beloved son out into the dangerous battlefield, but the request of a respected sage would not be denied.

The menace in the forest was a female Rakshasa named Tataka. Not mild mannered or shy in the least, she had strength which she used the wrong way. The sages focused on austerity and penance were harassed by her. Someone had to step up and fix the situation.

Shri Rama arrived and got the mission directive from Vishvamitra. Take her out. Rama was hesitant at first, since this was a female. Internally, He thought to first badly injure her. Hopefully that would drive her away.

Tataka was not as merciful. She could appear and disappear at will. Restating his original order, Vishvamitra expected Rama to use lethal force. The Supreme Lord then proceeded, locating the enemy using only sound. Though she thought she couldn’t be seen, no one is invisible to the person whose eyes are everywhere.

2. Those without a head

Another situation sometime later, also in the forest, the attacker lacked a head. Seems like he wouldn’t be much of a threat, but Kabandha was in a Rakshasa form due to a previous curse he received. He was practically invincible in this inauspicious body, but there was the benediction that liberation would arrive directly at the hands of the Supreme Lord.

First, Rama and Lakshmana had to figure out how to mitigate the threat. They realized that Kabandha’s strength was his arms. So the brothers lopped off those arms and the rest was rather straightforward. These odd forms described in the Ramayana should not confuse anyone. The bodies found in this world are simply different combinations of material elements. Those elements can combine to create very powerful forms, even in odd-shaped packages. That Kabandha could be dangerous while lacking a head is not very amazing.

3. Those with ten heads

Here was the leader of the Rakshasas. Another case of reaching his powerful, yet inauspicious rupa through the intervention of the demigods, Ravana was practically invincible in battle. Ten heads and twenty arms? That should be enough to see enemies coming in the ten directions. Who would be able to compete with that?

This time Rama acted alone. The culmination of a long and difficult struggle, Rama took out the great nuisance to the world, who had harassed innocent people for too long. The final straw was offending Rama’s beloved and faithful wife Sita. Even one hundred heads would not be enough to protect against the heat-seeking missile like arrows fired from the illustrious bow of the sun of the solar dynasty.

If Rama can protect against these different kinds of attackers, He can do the same for the enemy within, known as the mind. The great impediment towards progress in purification of the consciousness, maya’s real influence is through attacking the mind.

“A man must elevate himself by his own mind, not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 6.5)

Through devotion to the personal God, help arrives to turn the mind from friend to enemy. Then life becomes peaceful, just as the situation turned around in the forest for the sages. Coming in different shapes and sizes, the impediments to pure devotion are no match for the object of that devotion.

In Closing:

In different shapes and sizes coming,

Like Tataka who invisible becoming.

Or Kabandha without a head,

Ravana with ten to dread.

Shri Rama with arrows to free,

Impending danger soon to flee.

To protect the mind also at the ready,

To aid in practice of devotion steady.

Melding Faith And Empirical Knowledge

“Religion without philosophy is sentiment, or sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without religion is mental speculation. The ultimate goal is Krishna, because the philosophers who are also sincerely searching after the Absolute Truth come in the end to Krishna consciousness.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 3.3 Purport)

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Friend1: How old do you think the universe is?

Friend2: What is my opinion or what do I know based on authority?

Friend1: I’m asking because they bring this issue up during presidential campaigns quite often.

Friend2: Do they? The politicians are expected to be scientists?

Friend1: That’s the thing. Certain enemies want to see if a specific politician is in line with modern science or not.

Friend2: As opposed to what?

Friend1: Well, there is the idea that certain faiths say the earth is only so many thousands of years old.

Friend2: I see. Basically, they’re asking something to the effect of, “Are you a religious nut?”

Friend1: Exactly. I never even pondered the question before. For starters, time is infinite in both directions. That is common sense. There is a beginning to a beginning and an end to an end. There is no limitation on space, either. You build a wall somewhere, a boundary, but there is always something beyond it.

Friend2: That’s why those two concepts, time and space, are beyond the capabilities of the human mind.

Friend1: The real reason I bring this up is because these arguments in certain parts of the world have been going on for centuries. The basic question is, “On which side do you stand, science or faith?“

Friend2: Right. Do you accept something based on a belief or do you confirm your suspicions with empirical knowledge?

Friend1: Faith a lot of times here is based on fear. “I am a God-fearing person,” is the declaration. Meanwhile, the other side says there is no God. Their justification is that science has disproved so many myths and legends that people relied on in the past.

Friend2: Yes. Though they can’t explain the origin or prove empirically that something will continue to exist moving forward; better to have faith in sense gratification and the unknown future than rely on what some ancient book says.

Friend1: Haha, that pretty much sums up the argument. Anyway, where do the Vedas fit into this? I know there is more scientific information presented.

Friend2: For sure. Look at the section in the Shrimad Bhagavatam spoken by Kapiladeva. The subject matter is best described as metaphysics. No mention of faith, though there is information about the experience of the human being within the womb. No real way to validate that, even through modern science.

Friend1: I would think the Bhagavad-gita is similar.

Friend2: For sure. Lots of scientific properties described. That’s why sanatana-dharma can accurately be translated as “the science of self-realization.” The jnana and vijnana constitute a science, and the aim is to realize the spiritual nature, the atma, which also consists of an original spirit, which is supreme.

Friend1: Theoretical knowledge and practical realization. That’s what the people in the debate are missing.

Friend2: You could say Vedic culture is like melding faith and empirical knowledge. Accept things on faith at first, which children in school already do. This is the descending process of knowledge. That should be sufficient, like when my parents tell me not to touch fire directly, since it will burn.

Friend1: There is no need to make an experiment of it.

Friend2: Precisely, but let’s say that I do. When the warning proves to be true, I have more faith in the authority figures. In the same way, through practical realization of Vedic principles I develop more faith in the teachers, who originate with the Supreme Lord. The idea is to not be blind in any direction. Use the intellect. Challenge beliefs you think to be flawed. Bring your doubts to the table. When you still proceed forward in practicing spiritual life, you get that much more out of it.

In Closing:

Faith relying on one side,

That man in sky to preside.

On science alone the other,

Breaking myths one after another.

Better to meld the two,

Belief and confirmation too.

With Vedic culture already there,

Both of science and philosophy aware.

What Is The Purpose Of Science

“The aim of the analytical study of the material world is to find the soul of existence. The soul of the material world is Vishnu, or the Supersoul. Devotional service to the Lord entails service to the Supersoul. One process is to find the root of the tree, and next to water the root. The real student of sankhya philosophy finds the root of the material world, Vishnu, and then, in perfect knowledge, engages himself in the service of the Lord.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 5.4 Purport)

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Friend1: How did you do in science class growing up?

Friend2: Which one?

Friend1: You mean which grade in school?

Friend2: Well, you know that it sort of divides when you enter high school; at least in America. There isn’t just one class designated anymore. You have chemistry, physics, biology and so forth.

Friend1: Yes, that is what I meant. How did you do in those classes?

Friend2: Physics was the toughest for me. Biology the most boring. Chemistry wasn’t too bad.

Friend1: Yeah, I always found them boring, as well. I was more of a math person.

Friend2: Simple and straightforward. Not too complicated, as long as you can understand the principles.

Friend1: Have you ever thought about why those different studies exist?

Friend2: The sciences?

Friend1: Yes.

Friend2: Hmm. I don’t know. To make life better? To improve the experience. Progress, as they like to say.

Friend1: I was thinking the same thing, though I never put much thought into it previously.

Friend2: What changed now? Why are you bringing this up today?

Friend1: I read a line in a book by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Friend2: Which book?

Friend1: Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Friend2: Okay.

Friend1: It was in a purport to a verse where Krishna says that sankhya and karma-yoga are not different.

Friend2: Oh, yes. The results anyway.

Friend1: Prabhupada says that the aim of analytical study of the material world is to find the soul of existence.

Friend2: And that made you think of modern science?

Friend1: Yes. Immediately. It was one of those mind-blowing revelations. I mean it totally makes sense. Why didn’t I think of it before?

Friend2: What is so amazing about the realization?

Friend1: That basically everyone is wasting their time. If the soul of the existence, who is Vishnu, is the target of studying the material world, then imagine by how much everyone else is missing the mark.

Friend2: You mean in their investigatory work?

Friend1: Yes. They spend years and years working so hard. They go into debt by attending prestigious universities. They get these honorary titles, which they are so proud of. Yet so many of them don’t even know the soul of existence. It’s like they’ve wasted their time.

Friend2: Have you taken it one step further? Do you know what their objective is through the study?

Friend1: I guess it’s just living better, like we discussed before.

Friend2: And what does that mean?

Friend1: Sense gratification. I know what you are getting at. The animals don’t have these sciences at their disposal. They don’t go to school. They receive sense pleasure, all the same. The human being should pursue something more important.

Friend2: Exactly. That’s why if you find Vishnu, you have done something meaningful. And from there you can take the next step of service. Sankhya therefore should lead to karma-yoga, which is working in devotion. Hence the equivalency. Otherwise the analytical study hasn’t really changed anything. You may live a little longer, but you have the same anxieties. You have the same inevitable end. You still have missed the key spark behind an existence.

In Closing:

Science missing the mark,

Of real force in the dark.

Since of Vishnu steering clear,

Rather of God’s existence to fear.

Better to study and learn,

More sense gratification to earn.

But so much time in that wasted,

And never bliss of devotion tasted.

Three People Who Provided Instruction To Shri Rama

“Certainly all these words were spoken by you due to your kind-heartedness and affection for Me. I am very pleased with you, O Sita, for indeed one does not offer instructions and advice to another without caring for them.” (Lord Rama speaking to Sita Devi, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 10.20)

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He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One way to define Him is to know that He is the original teacher. He is the adi-guru, which means that no one comes before Him. This only makes sense, as He is the original person, as well. There is no one before Him, anadi. He is also the oldest person, purana purusham.

Yet from His pastimes on earth we see that there are times He receives instruction. Especially in the incarnation of Shri Rama, we get hints as to why and how that can occur. There is a reason someone close feels no fear in interfering in such a way.

1. Vishvamitra

Rama was called on to be a bodyguard. He was not yet a teenager. A bad character who later attacked noticed that Rama didn’t have signs of manhood on His face. That did not stop Vishvamitra from asking specifically for Rama to provide protection in the forest from the night-rangers, the man-eating ogres coming from Lanka.

“At the time, there were not yet visible any signs of manhood on the boy’s beautiful face, which was dark-blue in complexion and had an all-auspicious gaze. Rama had a gold chain round His neck, a small tuft of hair on His head, wore only one piece of clothing, and held a bow in His hands.” (Maricha speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 38.14)

The father Dasharatha reluctantly acquiesced to the sage’s request. Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana accompanied the group. The brothers were both of the warrior race, so in one sense it was in their blood to be fearless in protecting the innocent.

On one occasion Vishvamitra offered Rama advice. The elder was the acknowledged guru, after all. There was this female demon named Tataka who was harassing people in the forest. Vishvamitra asked Rama to take her out. The Supreme Lord was a little hesitant at first, taking gender into account. He thought it might be wiser to simply injure Tataka and have her flee.

Vishvamitra strongly reiterated his initial request. He was not afraid to provide instruction. Rama did not get angry or offended. He followed through and a great menace was removed.

2. Sita Devi

Years later Rama was back in the forest. This time as an adult, not surprisingly Lakshmana was with Him again. Rama’s wife Sita joined the group, as well. The task was also the same: provide protection to the sages, who lived in the Dandaka forest. They were being attacked by the same wicked night-rangers.

Though mild-mannered and following the standard etiquette of a wife in Vedic culture, Sita sometimes took the impetus to speak up. Especially if she saw some potential danger for her husband, she was not afraid to give unsolicited advice.

On this occasion she voiced her concerns that Rama might be inviting sinful violence by carrying so many weapons with Him. This was a peaceful area, after all. If someone were accidentally killed, the negative consequence would attach itself to her husband. Sita did not mind going to hell herself, but she never wanted to see Rama suffer in the least.

3. Lakshmana

Sometime later Sita went missing. This was the handiwork of the leader of the night-rangers, Ravana. Rama was very upset at first. He was ready to destroy the entire world as revenge. He knew that Sita was the most innocent person, that she never even thought of causing injury to anyone.

At that point Lakshmana stepped in. He offered sound words of advice to calm his brother down. In fact, the teachings were originally spoken by Rama. As a great disciple, Lakshmana listened attentively. He understood the principles and invoked them when appropriate.

In every case the Supreme Lord appreciated the sentiments. He specifically told Sita that a person only offers such advice if they care deeply. It is something like where a husband and wife only argue when there is a strong, underlying affection to start.

Bhagavan is so kind that He allows others to instruct Him. In the case of Shri Krishna, the gopis chastise Him like anything. It is said that such harsh words are appreciated by Him more than the praises sung in the Vedas. The mysteries of such dealings are revealed to those who engage in bhakti-yoga, devotional service.

In Closing:

Rather than asking to say,

With advice showing the way.

Like Vishvamitra with Tataka dealing,

Sita to dharma’s codes appealing.

Lakshmana for anger removing,

Rama never His appreciation losing.

Since Supreme Lord, caretaker of all,

Sometimes even as disciple to call.

Pay No Mind To The Distant Thunder

“Ordered by King Indra, all the dangerous clouds appeared above Vrindavana and began to pour water incessantly, with all their strength and power. There was constant lightning and thunder, blowing of severe wind and incessant falling of rain. The rainfall seemed to fall like piercing sharp arrows.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 25)

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The advice to first-time parents flies from every direction:

“Hold the baby this way. Take them to a pediatrician on a regular schedule, even if they look completely healthy. Keep up to date with immunizations. Never mind the reservations you may have because of toxic chemicals included and links to aborted fetuses. Don’t take the risk. You have to start tummy time right away. You don’t want them to fall behind, do you? Let them cry it out. Don’t spoil them. That is the only way to get them to sleep through the night.”

A long time ago the leaders in a particular community were adults, which should go without saying. They didn’t need anyone telling them what to do. Particularly, what was a small child going to teach them? The adults were in charge, and they followed the tradition of worshiping the king of heaven, Indra. This was an annual affair, and the result was sufficient rainfall, which was necessary for maintaining the vital food supply.

Yet the leader of Vrindavana couldn’t help but listen to his son, who was named Krishna. The adorable, all-attractive one suggested worshiping Govardhana Hill instead. There were enough preparations to still honor Indra, but Krishna insisted: skip the tradition this time. Everything auspicious will result. The cows will be happy, and the cows were foremost on the list of interests to protect in Vrindavana.

Nanda Maharaja obliged. The people went from thinking of one yajna to now going somewhere else. What would the result be? What would happen? Would Govardhana Hill be satisfied? The offerings were tremendous. So many varieties of food. Prepared with love and devotion, the people were following Krishna’s direction.

The initial review was favorable. The hill even spoke to the people. It was Krishna assuming the identity, but that hill was non-different from Him anyway. The festivities concluded without issue. That is until there was thunder in the distance. An ominous cloud on its way. What was the target? And exactly just how much rain were we looking at?

Before anyone had time to ponder any further, a devastating storm hit. It sure looked like this was a surgical strike, acting with intelligence. That indeed was the case, as in the background Indra was in a fit of vengeance. He did not take too kindly to being overlooked. He was especially perturbed that a small child was the reason behind it. The jealousy overcame sound judgment and reasoning.

The people could have been spiteful. Everything was going smoothly, year after year. The Indra-yajna would not have taken much effort. The people had conducted such worship in the past, so nothing new to consider. Why did Krishna have to interfere? Why did the father Nanda have to listen to Him? If it were up to children, they would stay up late every night, eating pizza and ice cream for every meal. The parents must decline requests for the wellbeing of every person involved.

Yet just as they had put their faith in Krishna for the Govardhana worship, they went to Him again. The little boy picked up the massive hill and held it above His head, to act as an umbrella. The people and cows got underneath, and everyone was safe. They stayed in that shelter for seven straight days, until the devastating rain stopped.

The miseries of life there are many, and different kinds of shelter for protection can be found. Only devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead can safeguard against the strongest attacking forces. Just following that devotion is enough to make many enemies, some including the powerful demigods. Yet in whichever way He chooses to arrive, Krishna can protect. Just like the Govardhana umbrella, the sounds of the holy names provide safety in an existence otherwise filled with danger at every step: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Pay mind to the distant thunder,

Govardhana Hill now get under.

As massive umbrella to become,

Plot of king Indra undone.

Who in rage’s fit,

Since his worship quit.

Shri Krishna to intercede,

In that mercy to believe.

The Four Step Process Of The Attacking Rakshasas In Dandaka

“O sinless one, these irrepressible flesh-eating Rakshasas attack us during our performance of fire sacrifices (homa), or on other auspicious occasions.” (Sages of Dandaka forest speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 10.11-12)

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Nature provided for them sufficiently already. There was no need for the extra effort. No elaborate plans necessary. No sharpening of the physical skills or in-depth use of the intellect. These were a human-like species, after all. Their king had concentrated enormous power in his home city of Lanka. Even the buildings were made of gold.

The higher forces automatically supply sufficient nourishment to the non-moving beings. The thousands of trees that line the highway grow on their own. Rain arrives at periodic times, and there is sufficient sunshine that gets converted to the energy necessary to remain alive. Even the carnivorous moving species get their appropriate allotment.

These Rakshasas had intelligence, and as further evidence of the possible directions resulting from the exercise of free will, that intelligence wasn’t put to the best use. At the personal level the belief was that the decision was proper. The preplanned attacks were both offensive and defensive in nature.

1. Wait until night

They are called Nishacharas for a reason. They prefer to do their work at night. The timing is also symbolic, as the Rakshasas are mostly in the material mode of ignorance. This involves doing work that has no tangible benefit. In the long-term the result is birth in an animal species after quitting the body.

On these nighttime raids, the Rakshasas departed from Lanka and hoped to land in the forest of Dandaka. Why this particular area? It was known as a tapo-vana, or a remote place, away from civilization, conducive to austerity and penance.

The Rakshasas were interested in neither. They were focused on the targets, i.e. the people living in Dandaka. Better to wait until the lights were out. This way it would be more difficult to be spotted; similar to how burglars operate when breaking and entering.

2. Change the shape

Like their leader Ravana, these man-eating ogres had the ability to change their shape at will. It is a kind of mystic perfection, or siddhi. Why would someone want to do that? Why not be satisfied with the rupa from birth? Why look for a different form?

The ability comes in handy when dealing with enemies. The sages in Dandaka were no one’s enemy, but the Rakshasas were so low in character that they particularly picked on the innocent. Ravana was bent on sinful life, and piety is always the enemy to sin. The more the influence of the pious can be diminished, the less threatened the sinful will feel.

3. Attack at the time of sacrifice

At night, in a masked shape, and also when the sages would be distracted. The Rakshasas waited until something important was going on. There was another factor that went into this decision.

It is during sacrifices, yajnas, that the demigods get strength. They literally eat the offerings made into the fire, which look to be only symbolic in nature. The wise person understands that the Divine does not pass down these practices without making them effective. In other words, genuine spiritual life is not a waste of time, even if some of the daily procedures and regulations seem strange, outdated, or odd.

Attack during a sacrifice so that the efforts of the sages go for naught. Nullify their entire reason for living in Dandaka. The practice of the Rakshasas was something like going after churches during the time of a sermon. Strike while the iron is hot, as the saying goes.

4. Enjoy the resulting flesh

The attacks were lethal in nature. That is to say, don’t just disrupt the sacrifice and interfere with the demigods. Take out the brahmanas altogether. The priestly class isn’t physically strong, but they can help to empower others. Specifically, the kshatriya class is meant to protect against aggressors. That class gets its guidance from the brahmanas.

It was in this situation that Shri Rama was called upon for help. He happened to be in Dandaka with His wife Sita and younger brother Lakshmana. Rama carried weapons with Him so that the brahmanas wouldn’t have to. They complained to the prince of Ayodhya about the attacking Rakshasas. The sages were literally being eaten away, so low were the invaders in character.

Rama happily agreed to protect. The brahmanas could have used curses to protect themselves, but with each curse offered some of their pious credits would diminish; in a roundabout way the Rakshasas would have won regardless. With Rama there to protect the nighttime attacks would come to an end.

In a similar manner, the conditioned living entity is struggling with one misery after another. The mind itself can be a great roadblock to success, and so the best way to control it is to get the help of the same Shri Rama. He arrives in the form of the holy name to give protection, allowing for devotion to be practiced without issue, giving bliss to last beyond the current lifetime.

In Closing:

At nighttime waiting to pounce,

So as presence not to announce.

With form difficult to see,

And magical weapons to free.

Target the sages in forest residing,

Who over important sacrifices presiding.

That darkness dissipated by only one,

Whose favor by devotion won.