Assurance of Protection to Saints
Rama who was clearly focused on ensuring that his Promise is fulfilled and the Dharma of Protecting those who seek his help, understanding Sita’s words were spelt due to the devotion she had for him said “Sita! the Love you have for me and Enhancing the image of your Lineage you had counselled me those suggestions which are well meant, aren’t you well aware of Dhrama? Aren’t you the daughter of Brahma Gyani (Sage who knew God & the Entire universe) Janaka? You said that Kings wear Weapons as they do not want to hear the troubles of their subjects; that is True. But I have given assurance of Protection to the Saints who sought refuge in me. Did you not see the Saints came voluntarily and sought my refuge, unable to bear the atrocities meted out by the Rakshasaas to them? We should not kill those who do not do Aparadh (Unpardonable acts such as sin, misdemanour, delinquency, infraction, violation, crime, offence, guilt, lawbreaker, crime, outlaw, felony); you mentioned that we should kill the enemies of Saints and thus protect them.These Saints when they sought my refuge they have bcome part of me as my Life; hence the Keduthi (Calamity, Misery, Catastrophe) done to them can’t it be construed as done to me? They do penance by eating fruits and roots; they are tormented cruelly by the Rakshasaas. When they are doing as per Niyama (Religious Duty, Rule / Proceedure, defining, certainity, usage, Disciplinary observance of Spiritual aspirant) by Fasting, Upavasa, in the respective times, these Man eating Rakshasaas are Cannibals killing them unjustly .
When those Saints have surrendered to me saying “Please bless us and Protect us” and prayed. I also bowed to them and said “Please pardon me for my indescretions; when I should have come in search of you; whereas you Saints have come in serach of me, when I think of this I am endlessly ashamed, please convey your order “prayed to them.Then all of them together said “ Rama! In this forest Rakshasaas are taking various disguises and are tormenting us. Please protect us from them. When during the appropriate times we are performing Agnihothra (Religious offering by reciting Vedic Verses in the Sacrificial Fire Pit with Ghee (Melted butter) and other materials to Gods / Celestials) these great Sinners come running to destroy same. (You are Yagnyamurhty, those who spoil the yagnya aren’t they criminals? You are our refuge as we are suffering like this. It is very easy for us to kill them with the power of our Penance. But we do not have the heart to waste the Power acquired over Long period of Penance. It is a great human effort to do Penance in these circumstances. The obstacles by Rakshasaas are ineumerable. Hence even though they have killed some amongst us, they have not yet been cursed by us and they are still alive.You and Your brother should protect us.You are our Lord” said they.
“Hence I vowed to kill those Rakshasaas who were tormenting the Saints who had sought refuge in me, and were also usurping my food offered by the saints while performing Agnihothra and Yaaga; hence theya re my enemies I may lose my Life but I will not fail in implementing the Promise I made to the saints. Being separated from you is very big Kasht (Agony, purgatory, discomfort, trouble,hardhip, suffering, harassment, annoyance, travails. Vedas say that Wife is ½ of our Soul. The brother and sister born with us is no different from our Soul. We should earn wealth to protect ourselves during turbulent times. Elders say we should give away or even wife to save our Lives. But I will forego my Life or you and Lakshamana but will fulfill my promise made to the Saints; but will not fail on my promise.
Further Brahma Gyani (Sage who knew God & the Entire universe) Are they not our God? There is no substance greater than Sathyam for me. So even if the Saints were not to ask me, I have to protect them. After having promised will I falter? I know you spoke like this because of the affinity you have for me and the sorrow you will get by being separated from me. Only those who are well wishers will counsel sane advice. You are the daughter of Janaka one who implements the Karma (Duty) without anticipating benefits and has attained the highest Super natural powers. You are so kind that you will even pardon the guilty, that is your Nature. So what you said was apt. You are more dearer than my own Life, so it is only proper and Good that you also observe the same” thus Rama pacified Sita. Thereafter Great Courageous Rama duly armed, along with Lakshmana went to see other Holy Ashramas. (Slokas 23).
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