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ThiruvahIndhrapuram RathnAngi Kaimkaryam:Part 40/SrI Raama Navami: Abhaya PradhAna Saaram postings: Part 5

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Sadagopan • April 9, 2003 


SrI:

Dear SrI Raama BhakthAs: 

Today , we will continue with the study the third chapter of 
Abhaya PradhAna Saaram celebrated in the SaraNAgathy Vedam 
alias SrImad  RaamAyaNam. 

So far we studied the examples of Abhaya PradhAnam/saraNAgatha
RakshaNam by the Lord. Let us now focus on the incidents in
AaraNya KaaNDam and KishkindhA KaaNDam .

AaraNya KaaNDam
****************
In the very first sargam of AaraNya KaaNDam , SrI Raamachandran's
arrival at  DaNDakA forest is described . Lord Ramachandran ,
SitA PirAtti and LakshmaNan are recieved with warmth by 
the Sages , who reside in that forest . The pious sages 
performing  Yaagams and pursuing righteous customs were
being tormented by the RaakshasAs . The terrorized sages
desired to be protected by the Lord and sought His refuge.
In the context of Raksha apEkshai ( desire for protection ),
there is no need to perform any Special SaraNAgathy at
the feet of one with Sakthi and KaaruNyam . The sages 
advanced the reason why they should be protected by Lord
Raamachandra (Aaranya KaaNDam 1.17-21):

" The King being the protector of righteous and also
the resort for these people , famous , revered and
rspectable holder of the staff of justice , worshipful 
protects the subjects.Oh Scion of Raghu! It is hence the king 
is saluted (by  all) ,enjoys the foremost delightful pleasures. 
We being the residents of Your kingdom deserve protection 
from You . Whether staying in the city or in the forest 
(AaraNyam) , You, the Lord of people are our king.
Having given up punishment , controlled anger and conquered 
the senses and having the wealth of asceticism , WE SHOULD 
ALWAYS BE PROTECECD BY YOU AS A FOETUS BY ITS MOTHER". 

The AraNya KaaNDa slOkam quoted by Swamy  Desikan in 
the context of the maharishis' request for protection is:

tE vayam BhavathA rakshyA bahvadhvishaya-vaasina:
nagarasthO vanasthO vaa Thvam nO raajA janEswara:
--AaraNya KaaNDam: 1.20

The Sages of the dandaka forest were seeking protection 
by Lord Raamachandran from the RaakshasAs , who interfered
with their sacred observances and oppressed them. Raama 
offered total protection and freedom from fear for the sages
of the Dandaka forest . This is the abhaya pradhAnam of
the Lord to the Maharishis of the Dandaka forest in AaraNya
KaaNDam .

KishkindhA KaaNDAm episodes 
****************************          
The offer of protection to SugrivA and Vaali Vadham are
the episodes in this kaaNDam dealing with abhaya pradhAnam.

SugrIvA reminds of the lord of His promise of Abhaya pradhAnam:

prartij~nA yaa kruthA Veera ThvayA Vaali vadhE purA
saphalAm kuru thAmm kshipram lathAm kaala ivAgathA: 
--KishkindhA KaaNDam:14.6-7

(meaning : " Pray implement wihtout dealy the vow
that was undertaken by you the other day to kill
Vaali , Oh Valiant prince , in the same way as the season
of fructification , when arrived , makes a creeper bear
fruit ".  

Lord Raama replies to this fear-soaked request of SugrivA:

" I shall dispel this (very) day the fear as well as
the feeling of animosity inspired (in you) by Vaali ,
Oh monkey  chief ! ....Know Vaali as killed on the battle 
field this (very ) day by my  might . No falsehood has
been uttered by me ever before even though I continued 
in adversity for a long time , overcome as I was by greed
for piety , nor shall I tell a lie under any circumstance
(even here after); and I shall fulfill my vow ."

Thus Lord Raamachandra gave Abhaya PradhAnam to SugrivA,
killed Vaali with a powerful arrow and set the stage for 
the location of SitA PirAtti by HanumAn and the battle with 
RaavaNA at Lankaa to fulfil His vow of abhaya pradhAnam 
to the DevAs referred to in the Baala KaaNDam .

In the next posting , we will study the episodes of
abhaya pradhAnam covered in Sundara and Yuddha KaaNDams
and complete the study of the third chapter of 
Swamy  Desikan's Abhaya PradhAna Saaram.  
     
SrI SithA SamEtha Raamachandra ParabrahmaNE Nama:
SrI NaarAyaNa YathIndhra MahA DesikAya Nama:
Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SadagOpan 



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