#Ramayana #LecturesOnTheRamayana In today's thread and per…

Please note, the discussion is NEVER challenging the supreme divinity of the person, but tries to capture the nuances or the finer points of the Bhagwan.

Sri Rama had extra-ordinary merit - Unequalled, Unmatched merit. He always remained at his own highest level.

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He seldom fell below it at times, wherein one can spot the conditions that led to the decline. In these conditions, he did & said things that his own higher nature would never approve.

Sri Rama was indeed the guardian and embodiment in himself of Dharma.

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Some incidents bring out the very best in him where he is able to uphold his own moral ideal.

For ex, when Vibhishina sought asylum, he held a council of war with all eminent counsellors. Except Hanuman whose advice was considered weak, rest all including Lakshmana ..

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recommended him to reject Vibhishina, with a few even ordering killing him.

He listened to this charged conversation (a skill where we humans utterly lack today) & said the famous words:
" No man shall seek my protection in vain. No matter who, how undeserving, how wicked..

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.. including Ravana, if they come in a friendly manner with a submissive spirit, I will not turn him back"

Look at the magnanimity & tremendous self conscience of the supreme individual.. What kind of self power he must have possessed to announce this...

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Another example, which the author brings out superbly again, when he was locked in a battle with Ravana, there is an instance when Ravana's chariot is destroyed & his bow broken.

Rama drew himself to his dignity and said : "O Ravana !! you are at a disadvantage..

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I have seen you at your best.. you have nobly and accounted for many a warrior on my side, yet you stand on the ground..

Go home.. Get some rest.. Come tomorrow with renewed energy, a new chariot & a new bow.. You shall then see how much can I give you in a battle"

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Clearly, a man would have pressed home the advantage and be done with the objective when there is a tactical point.. Yet, our hero Sri Rama chooses this event to display his ideal to the world by being gracious and considerate of his enemy..

Such self-confidence is exemplary

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The last incident for today's thread..

After Ravana's death, struggling with emotions & sentiments, Vibhishina says, "Ravana has done lot of adharmic activities.. I don't think I will perform his final rites... It may not be right for me to do so.."

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His words were met with approval with others who were recommending throwing his body into the sea..

At this critical juncture, a moment of great sensitivity, Sri Rama choses yet again to raise above the ideal.. so what does he do now...

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Sri Rama says, "No Vibhishina, you are wrong.. Ravana was a great warrior, a great king, great man and died a great death. Perform the rituals as per the shastra and honor your brother.. you will attain merit"

Such magnanimity.. such respect even for his enemies..

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These are small instances where we observe Sri Rama raising himself above the ideal.. Being the "Maryada Purushottama" .. The best of the best men..

However, he did think and react just like everyone of us.. There are instances where he oscillates from moments of...

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extreme pleasure to pain to despondency to despair... In subsequent threads, we will check few instances where his emotions changes just like us.. mere mortals..

PC: Google for all pics..

🙏 śrī rāmacandra padārpaṇamastu 🙏

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