The great Avathar Sri Rama also erred

 

I just want to briefly narrate here an interesting anecdote that happened during the coronation (Pattaabhisehkam) ceremony of Sri Rama after His return to Ayodhya from the 14 years of "vanavas" (living in forest)

All were busy on the coronation day revealing their extreme happiness. Sri Rama was seated with Sita on the throne with Angathan (son of Vaali who was killed by Sri Rama) standing on one side with a drawn sword and on the back was standing Bharatha holding an umbrella above the head of Sri Rama. There was Vasishta Maha Rishi preparing for the Yaga for the incoronation.

As the coronation ceremony started, all those who had a look at Lakshmana were awe struck. Lakshmana was looking at the ceremony with his eyes wide open, and with his mouth slightly open and with a sarcastic smile on his face. Everyone was visibly upset, for, Lakhsmana, everyone knew was the most vociferous in trying to get the throne for Sri Rama and how anxiously he awaited this day of coronating Sri Rama. Now looking at Lakshmana's posture like this, every one in the Mantapa (hall) made his/her own interpretation for the sarcastic smile worn on the face of Lakshmana.

Vasishta Rishi thought like this:

"Oh, after consulting the Almanac, I fixed the date of coronation 14 yearsback and the coronation did not take place, and so many calamities took place thereafter. Now, I have again fixed the date for coronation. So he is making mockery of me."

Vaali's son Angathan interpreted Lakshmana's sarcastice smile this:

" He is mocking at me because I am holding the raised sword in the service of Rama who killed my father"

Bharatan intepreted the smile like this:

"Lakshmana is scoffing at me probably because that even though I had theAyodhya Kingdom in my hand I did not hold on to it and instead holding theumbrella to Rama."

And Sita thought:

"He must be mocking at me because, I am not worthy of sitting on this throne having been Ravana's captive for a year in Lanka."

And what did Sri Rama, the Avathaar in human form think of Lakshmana:

"Lakshmana must be wondering how I deserve to sit on this throne having asked Sita to prove to the whole world that she was "pathiviratha" by entering into Agni (Fire), after she was released from the capitivity of Ravana."

Thus every one made his/her own interpretation to Lakshmana's sarcastic smile and in a chorus shouted "Lakshmana! Why are you smiling sarcastically like this?"

Lakshmana suddenly jumped up hearing the calls of all, and profusely apologised to every one for his behaviour, explaining the reason therefore.

At the time when Sri Rama was made to go to the forest for 14 years, Lakshmana made a vow that he also would accompany Sri Rama to the forest and stay with him for all the 14 years, then bring him back safely and make him the King of Ayodhya which would be his sole purpose of living and until that was achieved he would not sleep. Lakshmana was well known for his unflinching devotion to his brother Sri Rama

On the first night in the forest, he was standing in vigil outside the"Parnashalai" (hut) where Sri Rama and Sita were asleep. He started feeling sleepy. He tried his best to drive away his sleep but could not. Immediately he invoked "Nithra Devi" (goddess of sleep), and getting her darshan told her his vow and prayed to her not come near him for these 14 years." She said she had to do her duty but since Lakshmana was on a special divine mission, she allowed him to go without sleep for the fourteen years but on one condition that she would sweep on him any time she pleased thereafter and he should not stop her. Lakshmana agreed and also promised to co-operate with her.

Accordingly when every one was busy in the coronation celebration, NitraDevi suddenly announced to Laskhmana that she was going to make him sleep. Lakshmana requested her to allow him to witness the coronation and thereafter he would go into sleep for any period. Nithra Devi however, did not listen to him but gave him a concession that his eyes would remain open and everyone would be thinking that he was awake but actually he would be asleep. Because of Nithra Devi Lakshmana was actually asleep, even though he looked wide awake and because he was asleep he had that sarcastic smile on his face.

When Lakhsmana thus explained the reason for his apparently strange behaviour and sought the forgiveness, every one burst into tears including Sri Rama and embraced him seeking his forgiveness for having misunderstood him.

So the disease of misunderstanding others has been prevalent from time immemorial and even the Avathars were not left untouched by this disease.

Let us always think noble of other's actions. If at all we have to pass judgements.

Let us make thorough enquiries and then only pass the judgements and just as thumb rule.

V. Krishnan