Slokam 2

Sugriva, having ascended the throne,  enters into a phase of celebration and rejoicing.  He completely forgets his commitment to go with Sri Rama and Sri Lakshmana, to look for Sita Devi. 

Sri Rama then requests Sri Lakshmana, to go to Sugriva’s palace and remind him of the task on hand. Sri Lakshmana filled with ire and anger at the carelessness of Sugriva proceeds inti the palace and reminds an intoxicated Sugriva of his commitment and duty.  

A contrite Sugriva, regretful of his lapse, and the delay that he had caused,  immediately assembles a large contingent of monkeys.

Sri Rama is elated at this quick turnaround.  This is a clear reflection on how willing Sri Rama is to forgive our lapses.  As long as we accept our mistakes and fall at His feet in surrender, the Paramathma will always be there to extend His hand in support under all circumstances.

Sugriva,  had received the restoration of not only his wife but also the kingdom that was never his,  only because of Sri Rama’s intervention.  Yet he completely forgets his part of the commitment, and goes about enjoying the new found luxury and power.

All of us are like Sugriva.  We are at the feet of the Paramathma only as long as we need something.  Once that need is fulfilled with His benevolence,  we completely forget our commitment to remain dedicated on the path of adharma. We throw caution to the winds and go about enjoying the fruits of His endowments,  until He decides to get upset and remind us with a knock on our heads. Unlike Sugriva, who immediately realizes his mistake and takes remedial action,  many of us may actually withdraw our commitment to the Paramathma.  If that happens,  there is a heavy price to pay. There is no respite in the adverse impact on our lives, after this,  We will descend into a demonic existence from which it will be very difficult to recover. 

Once assembled,  the vanaras spread out immediately in all directions to search for Sita Devi.  The dedication of the vanaras in performing the search is absolute.  The same cannot be said of us human beings. We are prone to doubt,  and more importantly we look for rewards.  We also rarely take the initiative. We would rather leave it to others to get the job done.  If the reward is already delivered upfront,  like it was to Sugriva, we will hesitate to embark on a mission, from which we may never return,  or cause us to lose our lives.

Our hesitancy, doubt and eagerness for rewards prevents us from acting.  We are inclined to forego our duties,  if we are not assured of rewards.  This is why the purpose of life has been kept a secret from us.  We are born into and are living in a risk/reward environment.  We do not know what moksham is, except that it is probably better than what we now have.

It is very very important that we discover the purpose of this life on our own.  Learning from others has its limitations.  Ultimately we should be able to internalize and completely accept the lessons as our own.

The search for the location and liberation of Sita Devi, is very similar to our own search for the meaning of life.  Sita Devi’s rescue from Ravanna is very similar to our liberation from the bondage of life.

All the scriptures and ithihasas, like our very own lives, are meant to be interpreted, understood and viewed from this very perspective.

As we read the Ramayana,  we develop a deep attachment for this avatar of the Paramathma. We are able to see our own lives from a perspective that we otherwise could never have.  We are able to put ourselves in His position and we try to visualize how anguished He must have been when Sita was stolen,  how great it would be to perform what He did,  or maybe even sometimes, we might have done differently?  

All these thoughts forge our relationship with the Paramathma.  That relationship is the only one that matters. That relationship has to be taken to a level of oneness.  When duality disappears,  there is no conflict.  His happiness becomes my happiness. His sadness becomes my sadness. Since He is equanimity personified,  we also become equanimity personified.

All our searches, quests, endeavors in life are only to strengthen this relationship.  That is why the Paramathma appears periodically,  in our “Own” form,  in our environment, and with our capabilities.