Lost Loves (Arshia Sattar; 2011)
Exploring Rama's Anguish
The question is whether the so-called divine scriptures are indeed infallible sacred decree or just mere guides for humanity to use as a precursor the complete the building block of life. Is it really God's orders or is it the human interpretation of what is best for mankind?If the holy texts are indeed supreme, can it be deliberated or argued? We, the human race, used to live at a time when avenues were open for debates. Paradoxically, at this time and age when literacy is at its highest peak since the beginning of history, these doors are precariously shut. No place for questioning!
Are the powers that be hiding something?
I had always been under the impression that a King by the name of Rama as a human in flesh and blood, did actually walk on Earth. His subjects were have been awed by the dramas that revolved around the royal family. Their actions and decisions must have been closely watched by his citizens and be awed. Human beings always look at role models to follow. In those days, with the absence of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West to set the precedence, the royalties must have been the trendsetters. With a little bit of exaggeration here and a little glorification there, Rama, his consort and his brothers must have attained demigod status, if not Supreme God Himself.
I found this book quite refreshing. Written by an articulate Muslim author whom I had the chance to listen to at the Georgetown Literary Festival, she had earlier been involved in the translation the whole of Valmiki's Ramayana from Sanskrit to English.
The thing is whether to consider Rama as a reincarnation of God when he made all His life and royal decisions or did he make them as a mere mortal, as a ruler?
The author looks at the what can be construed as Rama's imperfections. One controversy is the slaying of a Sudra ascetic, Shambukha, for masquerading as a Brahmin. The seeming brutal beheading of a man standing on his head is justified as his karma to be slain by the Lord Himself. Others criticise it pure caste consciousness.
The deceitful slaying of Vali, the Monkey King, when Rama wanted an army from Sugriva is questioned. Perhaps, Rama feels that Vali's usurping of Sagrivi's kingdom and wife was immoral. But then, it may have wrong for Rama to take sides and kill Vali when he was vulnerable when he was caught unawares, being garlanded. The truth of the matter may be different, and perhaps Rama was using Ayodhya's social mores to judge inhabitants of Kishkindha, the Varana (monkey) kingdom.
Ayodhya, Kishkindha and Ravana's Asoka garden in Lanka had different standards for women. In Ayodhya, the fairer sex is expected to be demure and bashful. In Kishkindha, however, wife swapping is an acceptable practice. In the demonic world of Lanka, open display and promiscuity were enjoyed.
Sita is viewed as a pitiful victim at the hands of Rama. Imagine being swept off her feet at the prospect of being married to the future King, only to be out-manoeuvred by a conniving young step mother-in-law at the last moment just before the coronation. Then being banished to the jungles for 14 years. The sojourn in the forest was no walk in the park too. Kidnapped by an evil king, only to be rescued much later, life afterwards was no better. Through no fault of hers, Sita is taken away but, she gets the impression that she was accused of having a whale of time partying. She has to prove her chastity to shut the gossiping mouths. Of all the persons, even her husband cannot stand by her but decide the satisfy the people's evil tongue. It is as though she is made the scapegoat to proof Rama's mantle as a just ruler.
It also appears inhumane that Rama should banish his pregnant wife to the woods just because of the evil words of a dhoby and his unfaithful wife. It is a bad example to have the princes grew up in the wilderness without knowing their father. Is that what a father should do? Did Rama fail to perform his dharma as a father figure?
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| Arshia Sattar Credit: Flickr |
Mutilation of Surpanakha, Ravana's sister, of cutting off her breasts and her nose, is an overkill - all because of her promiscuity towards a married man. If Rama were God, would He not seen her real intentions of wanting Ravana to be killed or that it would be the road to His misery.
Perhaps, Rama was just a man, trying to do the best thing as a ruler; not to be swayed by the lure of the flesh as his father, Dasaratha, was - crumbling to the charms of his younger wife, Kaikeyi, Dasharata had to go back on his word on the throne. Was this why Rama was so cold towards his wife? Maybe Rama loved his wife, if his constant display of Sita's figurine during essential functions, in her absence, is any proof.
If Rama was sent off to live the jungle to live as an ascetic, why is depicted with weapons and continued to consume meat? And he continued to display his sorcery in jungle politics.
There are many regional addendums to the Valmiki's Ramayana. Uttara Kanda and Bala Kanda are examples of such scriptures. Philosophical discourses on these texts only show that answers in life are not so black or white. It often manifests in varying shades of grey.
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