Jan 7, 2024
Hari Om Parents,
We started the class with usual prayers. Subsequently we chanted together Nama Ramayana. Please have them practice this at home. We also did pranayama/breathing exercises.
We did brief revision of Ramayana story so far. We again discussed how Rama represented ideal student, ideal son, ideal brother etc.
Rama and Lakshmana reached Rshyamukha mountain. Seeing them initially Sugriva and his four associates were scared and runaway. Hanuman then reminded Sugriva that Vali's men cannot come on Rshyamukha mountain. Sugriva asks Hanuman to go and meet them, and find out why they are on this mountain. Hanuman approaches Rama and Lakshmana disguised as a brahmin. This is first meeting of the great devotee Hanuman with Sri Ramji. Hanuman asked them several questions that they look like Princess yet dressed as ascetics - and gives them many compliments. Finally asks as them what they were doing in this part of the forest. Lakshmana explains that they were looking for Sugriva. They wanted to make friendship with him. Hanuman then assumes his original form. He carries Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders to the top of mountain. He then facilitates friendship between Sugriva and Rama.
Rama asked Sugriva why he was staying in the mountain. Sugriva explains that he was running away from his brother Vali. Vali was king of Kishkinda, Sugriva was his brother. Once Mayavi a demon came to challenge Vali. Vali went behind the demon to kill him. Sugriva followed him. Mayavi went into a cave, Vali told Sugriva to stand guard at the mouth of the cave and went into the cave. Sugriva waited at the mouth of the cave for one year. Then one day he noticed blood coming out of the tave. Thinking that Vali had been killed by the demon he closed mouth of the cave with a big boulder and went back to the Kingdom. There, upon advice of his ministers he assumed kingship. Few days later Vali came to the court, seeing Sugriva sitting as the king he got very angry. In his anger he did not listen to Sugriva's explanation, he assumed that Sugriva tricked him and left him to die in the cave. He chased Sugriva all over the world, finally Sugriva sought shelter on Rshyamukha mountain. Vali or his associates could not come on to the mountain because of a curse that was given to Vali. He explained to Rama that he lost his ability to live in Kishkinda Kingdom and also lost his wife Roma who was kept in the palace.
Once a demon Dundhubhi challenged Vali in the form of a bull. Vali threw the bull several yojanas away, it fell in Sage Matanga ashram. Rishi Matanga got angry with Vali's action and cursed him that if he comes on the mountain he will be killed, if his associates come they will turn into rocks. Hence Sugriva sought shelter on this mountain.
Rama gave his word to Sugriva that he would kill Vali. Sugriva explained the prowess of Vali, his great strength and power. He tested Rama to see If he had the valor and strength to face Vali. Rama was easily able to shoot down all the seven Sala trees with one arrow and able to kick the skeleton of dundhubhi many yojanas effortlessly. Assured Sugriva went to challenge Vali. During the initial combat Vali beats him up badly, Sugriva runs for his life. He was angry that Rama did not kill Vali with his arrow. Rama explained to Sugriva that both of them looked alike, so he could not distinguish between the brothers, he did not want to take a chance and kill Sugriva by mistake. He asked Lakshmana to put a gaja pushpa mala on Sugriva. Rama then asks Sugriva to go and fight Vali again. Sugriva goes back and challenges Vali, now Tara wife of Vali advises him not to go for battle again, she senses that's something bad might happen to him. Vali reassures her and goes to fight Sugriva wearing a kanchana mala. During this combat Rama standing behind a tree shoots an arrow at Vali. Vali falls down onto the ground. He gets angry at Rama and asks him why he shot an arrow at him by standing behind the tree. He says I never interfered in the affairs of Ayodhya, I was fighting my brother, I am an animal and I have the right to fight another animal, what I was doing was dharma and what Rama did was adharma karma - how can you justify your actions.
Rama replies that what he did was Dharma alone:
1. Rama was a representative of king Bharata of Ayodhya and as his representative he has to keep up the Dharma. Since Vali kept Sugriva's wife forcefully, he deserved to be punished for his dharmic action.
2. Vali's adharmic way of life was also shown by him making friendship with Ravana.
3. Rama was a king, he had the right to hunt animals
4. Rama gave word to Sugriva that he will protect him.
5. The key reason Rama had to hide behind the tree was Vali had kanchana mala, a gift given by Indra. Anyone who would come in front of him, would lose half of his power to Vali, hence it was impossible to win over Vali by standing in front of him. Rama knew the power of the golden necklace hence he killed Vali by standing behind the tree.
In the end we performed some activities – brief yoga and played four corners game involving characters of Ramayana. Finally, we ended the class by chanting Bhagavad Gita verses 15 & 16 along with Swamiji's video.
Happy Sankrathi, Happy Pongal, Happy Lohri, …. to all.
Pranams,
Vyjayanti
Devender
