the ramayana (delivered at the shakespeare club, pasadena, california, january 31, 1900)
DESCRIPTION
Shakespeare Club RamayanaTRANSCRIPT
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3/28/2015 THERAMAYANA(DeliveredattheShakespeareClub,Pasadena,California,January31,1900)
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THERAMAYANA(DeliveredattheShakespeareClub,Pasadena,California,January31,1900)March28,2015at1:01pm
(DeliveredattheShakespeareClub,Pasadena,California,January31,1900)
TherearetwogreatepicsintheSanskritlanguage,whichareveryancient.Ofcourse,therearehundredsofotherepicpoems.TheSanskritlanguageandliteraturehavebeencontinueddowntothepresentday,although,formorethantwothousandyears,ithasceasedtobeaspokenlanguage.Iamnowgoingtospeaktoyouofthetwomostancientepics,calledtheRmyanaandtheMahbhrata.Theyembodythemannersandcustoms,thestateofsociety,civilisation,etc.,oftheancientIndians.TheoldestoftheseepicsiscalledRamayana,"TheLifeofRma".TherewassomepoeticalliteraturebeforethismostoftheVedas,thesacredbooks
oftheHindus,arewritteninasortofmetrebutthisbookisheldbycommonconsentinIndiaastheverybeginningofpoetry.
ThenameofthepoetorsagewasVlmiki.Lateron,agreatmanypoeticalstorieswerefasteneduponthatancientpoetandsubsequently,itbecameaverygeneralpracticetoattributetohisauthorshipverymanyversesthatwerenothis.Notwithstandingalltheseinterpolations,itcomesdowntousasaverybeautifularrangement,withoutequalintheliteraturesoftheworld.
Therewasayoungmanthatcouldnotinanywaysupporthisfamily.Hewasstrongandvigorousand,finally,becameahighwayrobberheattackedpersonsinthestreetandrobbedthem,andwiththatmoneyhesupportedhisfather,mother,wife,andchildren.Thiswentoncontinually,untilonedayagreatsaintcalledNradawaspassingby,andtherobberattackedhim.Thesageaskedtherobber,"Whyareyougoingtorobme?Itisagreatsintorobhumanbeingsandkillthem.Whatdoyouincurallthissinfor?"Therobbersaid,"Why,Iwanttosupportmyfamilywiththismoney.""Now",saidthesage,"doyouthinkthattheytakeashareofyoursinalso?""Certainlytheydo,"repliedtherobber."Verygood,"saidthesage,"makemesafebytyingmeuphere,whileyougohomeandaskyourpeoplewhethertheywillshareyoursininthesamewayastheysharethemoneyyoumake."Themanaccordinglywenttohisfather,andasked,"Father,doyouknowhowIsupportyou?"Heanswered,"No,Idonot.""Iamarobber,andIkillpersonsandrobthem.""What!youdothat,myson?Getaway!Yououtcast!"Hethenwenttohismotherandaskedher,"Mother,doyouknowhowIsupportyou?""No,"shereplied."Throughrobberyandmurder.""Howhorribleitis!"criedthemother."But,doyoupartakeinmysin?"saidtheson."WhyshouldI?Inevercommittedarobbery,"answeredthemother.Then,hewenttohiswifeandquestionedher,"DoyouknowhowImaintainyouall?""No,"sheresponded."Why,Iamahighwayman,"herejoined,"andforyearshavebeenrobbingpeoplethatishowIsupportandmaintainyouall.AndwhatInowwanttoknowis,whetheryouarereadytoshareinmysin.""Bynomeans.Youaremyhusband,anditisyourdutytosupportme."
Theeyesoftherobberwereopened."Thatisthewayoftheworldevenmynearestrelatives,forwhomIhavebeenrobbing,willnotshareinmydestiny."Hecamebacktotheplacewherehehadboundthesage,unfastenedhisbonds,fellathisfeet,recountedeverythingandsaid,"Saveme!WhatcanIdo?"Thesagesaid,"Giveupyourpresentcourseoflife.Youseethatnoneofyourfamilyreallylovesyou,sogiveupallthesedelusions.Theywillshareyourprosperitybutthemomentyouhavenothing,theywilldesertyou.Thereisnonewhowillshareinyourevil,buttheywillallshareinyourgood.ThereforeworshipHimwhoalonestandsbyuswhetherwearedoinggoodorevil.Heneverleavesus,forloveneverdragsdown,knowsnobarter,noselfishness."
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3/28/2015 THERAMAYANA(DeliveredattheShakespeareClub,Pasadena,California,January31,1900)
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Thenthesagetaughthimhowtoworship.Andthismanlefteverythingandwentintoaforest.Therehewentonprayingandmeditatinguntilheforgothimselfsoentirelythattheantscameandbuiltanthillsaroundhimandhewasquiteunconsciousofit.Aftermanyyearshadpassed,avoicecamesaying,"Arise,Osage!"Thusarousedheexclaimed,"Sage?Iamarobber!""Nomore'robber',"answeredthevoice,"apurifiedsageartthou.Thineoldnameisgone.Butnow,sincethymeditationwassodeepandgreatthatthoudidstnotremarkeventheanthillswhichsurroundedthee,henceforth,thynameshallbeValmiki'hethatwasbornintheanthill'."So,hebecameasage.
Andthisishowhebecameapoet.Onedayasthissage,Valmiki,wasgoingtobatheintheholyriverGanga,hesawapairofdoveswheelingroundandround,andkissingeachother.Thesagelookedupandwaspleasedatthesight,butinasecondanarrowwhiskedpasthimandkilledthemaledove.Asthedovefelldownontheground,thefemaledovewentonwhirlingroundandroundthedeadbodyofitscompanioningrief.Inamomentthepoetbecamemiserable,andlookinground,hesawthehunter."Thouartawretch,"hecried,"withoutthesmallestmercy!Thyslayinghandwouldnotevenstopforlove!""Whatisthis?WhatamIsaying?"thepoetthoughttohimself,"Ihaveneverspokeninthissortofwaybefore."Andthenavoicecame:"Benotafraid.Thisispoetrythatiscomingoutofyourmouth.WritethelifeofRamainpoeticlanguageforthebenefitoftheworld."Andthatishowthepoemfirstbegan.ThefirstversesprangoutofpitsfromthemouthofValmiki,thefirstpoet.Anditwasafterthat,thathewrotethebeautifulRamayana,"TheLifeofRama".
TherewasanancientIndiantowncalledAyodhyanditexistseveninmoderntimes.TheprovinceinwhichitisstilllocatediscalledOudh,andmostofyoumayhavenoticeditinthemapofIndia.ThatwastheancientAyodhya.There,inancienttimes,reignedakingcalledDasharatha.Hehadthreequeens,butthekinghadnotanychildrenbythem.AndlikegoodHindus,thekingandthequeens,allwentonpilgrimagesfastingandpraying,thattheymighthavechildrenand,ingoodtime,foursonswereborn.TheeldestofthemwasRama.
Now,asitshouldbe,thesefourbrotherswerethoroughlyeducatedinallbranchesoflearning.ToavoidfuturequarrelstherewasinancientIndiaacustomforthekinginhisownlifetimetonominatehiseldestsonashissuccessor,theYuvarja,youngking,asheiscalled.
Now,therewasanotherking,calledJanaka,andthiskinghadabeautifuldaughternamedSit.SitawasfoundinafieldshewasadaughteroftheEarth,andwasbornwithoutparents.Theword"Sita"inancientSanskritmeansthefurrowmadebyaplough.IntheancientmythologyofIndiayouwillfindpersonsbornofoneparentonly,orpersonsbornwithoutparents,bornofsacrificialfire,borninthefield,andsoondroppedfromthecloudsasitwere.AllthosesortsofmiraculousbirthwerecommoninthemythologicalloreofIndia.
Sita,beingthedaughteroftheEarth,waspureandimmaculate.ShewasbroughtupbyKingJanaka.Whenshewasofamarriageableage,thekingwantedtofindasuitablehusbandforher.
TherewasanancientIndiancustomcalledSvayamvara,bywhichtheprincessesusedtochoosehusbands.Anumberofprincesfromdifferentpartsofthecountrywereinvited,andtheprincessinsplendidarray,withagarlandinherhand,andaccompaniedbyacrierwhoenumeratedthedistinctiveclaimsofeachoftheroyalsuitors,wouldpassinthemidstofthoseassembledbeforeher,andselecttheprinceshelikedforherhusbandbythrowingthegarlandofflowersroundhisneck.Theywouldthenbemarriedwithmuchpompandgrandeur.
TherewerenumbersofprinceswhoaspiredforthehandofSitathetestdemandedonthisoccasionwasthebreakingofahugebow,calledHaradhanu.Alltheprincesputforthalltheirstrengthtoaccomplishthisfeat,butfailed.Finally,Ramatookthemightybowinhishandsandwitheasygracebrokeitintwain.ThusSitaselectedRama,thesonofKingDasharathaforherhusband,andtheywereweddedwithgreatrejoicings.Then,Ramatookhisbridetohishome,andhisoldfatherthoughtthatthetimewasnowcomeforhimtoretireandappointRamaasYuvaraja.Everythingwasaccordinglymadereadyforthe
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3/28/2015 THERAMAYANA(DeliveredattheShakespeareClub,Pasadena,California,January31,1900)
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ceremony,andthewholecountrywasjubilantovertheaffair,whentheyoungerqueenKaikeyiwasremindedbyoneofhermaidservantsoftwopromisesmadetoherbythekinglongago.Atonetimeshehadpleasedthekingverymuch,andheofferedtogranthertwoboons:"AskanytwothingsinmypowerandIwillgrantthemtoyou,"saidhe,butshemadenorequestthen.ShehadforgottenallaboutitbuttheevilmindedmaidservantinheremploybegantoworkuponherjealousywithregardtoRamabeinginstalledonthethrone,andinsinuatedtoherhowniceitwouldbeforherifherownsonhadsucceededtheking,untilthequeenwasalmostmadwithjealousy.Thentheservantsuggestedtohertoaskfromthekingthetwopromisedboons:onewouldbethatherownsonBharatashouldbeplacedonthethrone,andtheother,thatRamashouldbesenttotheforestandbeexiledforfourteenyears.
Now,Ramawasthelifeandsouloftheoldkingandwhenthiswickedrequestwasmadetohim,heasakingfelthecouldnotgobackonhisword.Sohedidnotknowwhattodo.ButRamacametotherescueandwillinglyofferedtogiveupthethroneandgointoexile,sothathisfathermightnotbeguiltyoffalsehood.SoRamawentintoexileforfourteenyears,accompaniedbyhislovingwifeSitaandhisdevotedbrotherLakshmana,whowouldonnoaccountbepartedfromhim.
TheAryansdidnotknowwhoweretheinhabitantsofthesewildforests.Inthosedaystheforesttribestheycalled"monkeys",andsomeofthesocalled"monkeys",ifunusuallystrongandpowerful,werecalled"demons".
So,intotheforest,inhabitedbydemonsandmonkeys,Rama,Lakshmana,andSitawent.WhenSitahadofferedtoaccompanyRama,heexclaimed,"Howcanyou,aprincess,facehardshipsandaccompanymeintoaforestfullofunknowndangers!"ButSitareplied,"WhereverRamagoes,theregoesSita.Howcanyoutalkof'princess'and'royalbirth'tome?Igobeforeyou!"So,Sitawent.Andtheyoungerbrother,healsowentwiththem.Theypenetratedfarintotheforest,untiltheyreachedtheriverGodvari.Onthebanksoftherivertheybuiltlittlecottages,andRamaandLakshmanausedtohuntdeerandcollectfruits.Aftertheyhadlivedthusforsometime,onedaytherecameademongiantess.ShewasthesisterofthegiantkingofLanka(Ceylon).Roamingthroughtheforestatwill,shecameacrossRama,andseeingthathewasaveryhandsomeman,shefellinlovewithhimatonce.ButRamawasthepurestofmen,andalsohewasamarriedmansoofcoursehecouldnotreturnherlove.Inrevenge,shewenttoherbrother,thegiantking,andtoldhimallaboutthebeautifulSita,thewifeofRama.
Ramawasthemostpowerfulofmortalstherewerenogiantsordemonsoranybodyelsestrongenoughtoconquerhim.So,thegiantkinghadtoresorttosubterfuge.HegotholdofanothergiantwhowasamagicianandchangedhimintoabeautifulgoldendeerandthedeerwentprancingroundabouttheplacewhereRamalived,untilSitawasfascinatedbyitsbeautyandaskedRamatogoandcapturethedeerforher.Ramawentintotheforesttocatchthedeer,leavinghisbrotherinchargeofSita.ThenLakshmanalaidacircleoffireroundthecottage,andhesaidtoSita,"TodayIseesomethingmaybefallyouand,therefore,Itellyounottogooutsideofthismagiccircle.Somedangermaybefallyouifyoudo."Inthemeanwhile,Ramahadpiercedthemagicdeerwithhisarrow,andimmediatelythedeer,changedintotheformofaman,died.
Immediately,atthecottagewasheardthevoiceofRama,crying,"Oh,Lakshmana,cometomyhelp!"andSitasaid,"Lakshmana,goatonceintotheforesttohelpRama!""ThatisnotRama'svoice,"protestedLakshmana.ButattheentreatiesofSita,LakshmanahadtogoinsearchofRama.Assoonashewentaway,thegiantking,whohadtakentheformofamendicantmonk,stoodatthegateandaskedforalms."Waitawhile,"saidSita,"untilmyhusbandcomesbackandIwillgiveyouplentifulalms.""Icannotwait,goodlady,"saidhe,"Iamveryhungry,givemeanythingyouhave."Atthis,Sita,whohadafewfruitsinthecottage,broughtthemout.Butthemendicantmonkaftermanypersuasionsprevaileduponhertobringthealmstohim,assuringherthatsheneedhavenofearashewasaholyperson.SoSitacameoutofthemagiccircle,andimmediatelytheseemingmonkassumedhisgiantbody,andgraspingSitainhisarmshecalledhismagicchariot,andputtinghertherein,hefledwiththeweepingSita.PoorSita!Shewasutterlyhelpless,nobody,wastheretocometoheraid.Asthegiantwascarryingheraway,shetookoffafewoftheornamentsfromherarmsandatintervalsdroppedthemtothegrounds
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3/28/2015 THERAMAYANA(DeliveredattheShakespeareClub,Pasadena,California,January31,1900)
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ShewastakenbyRvanatohiskingdom,Lanka,theislandofCeylon.Hemadepealstohertobecomehisqueen,andtemptedherinmanywaystoaccedetohisrequest.ButSitawhowaschastityitself,wouldnotevenspeaktothegiantandhetopunishher,madeherliveunderatree,dayandnight,untilsheshouldconsenttobehiswife.
WhenRamaandLakshmanareturnedtothecottageandfoundthatSitawasnotthere,theirgriefknewnobounds.Theycouldnotimaginewhathadbecomeofher.Thetwobrotherswenton,seeking,seekingeverywhereforSita,butcouldfindnotraceofher.Afterlongsearching,theycameacrossagroupof"monkeys",andinthemidstofthemwasHanumn,the"divinemonkey".Hanuman,thebestofthemonkeys,becamethemostfaithfulservantofRamaandhelpedhiminrescuingSita,asweshallseelateron.HisdevotiontoRamawassogreatthatheisstillworshippedbytheHindusastheidealofatrueservantoftheLord.Yousee,bythe"monkeys"and"demons"aremeanttheaboriginesofSouthIndia.
So,Rama,atlast,fellinwiththesemonkeys.Theytoldhimthattheyhadseenflyingthroughtheskyachariot,inwhichwasseatedademonwhowascarryingawayamostbeautifullady,andthatshewasweepingbitterly,andasthechariotpassedovertheirheadsshedroppedoneofherornamentstoattracttheirattention.ThentheyshowedRamatheornament.Lakshmanatookuptheornament,andsaid,"Idonotknowwhoseornamentthisis."Ramatookitfromhimandrecogniseditatonce,saying,"Yes,itisSita's."Lakshmanacouldnotrecognisetheornament,becauseinIndiathewifeoftheelderbrotherwasheldinsomuchreverencethathehadneverlookeduponthearmsandtheneckofSita.Soyousee,asitwasanecklace,hedidnotknowwhoseitwas.ThereisinthisepisodeatouchoftheoldIndiancustom.Then,themonkeystoldRamawhothisdemonkingwasandwherehelived,andthentheyallwenttoseekforhim.
Now,themonkeykingVliandhisyoungerbrotherSugrivawerethenfightingamongstthemselvesforthekingdom.TheyoungerbrotherwashelpedbyRama,andheregainedthekingdomfromVali,whohaddrivenhimawayandhe,inreturn,promisedtohelpRama.Theysearchedthecountryallround,butcouldnotfindSita.AtlastHanumanleapedbyoneboundfromthecoastofIndiatotheislandofCeylon,andtherewentlookingalloverLankaforSita,butnowherecouldhefindher.
Yousee,thisgiantkinghadconqueredthegods,themen,infactthewholeworldandhehadcollectedallthebeautifulwomenandmadethemhisconcubines.So,Hanumanthoughttohimself,"Sitacannotbewiththeminthepalace.Shewouldratherdiethanbeinsuchaplace."SoHanumanwenttoseekforherelsewhere.Atlast,hefoundSitaunderatree,paleandthin,likethenewmoonthatlieslowinthehorizon.NowHanumantooktheformofalittlemonkeyandsettledonthetree,andtherehewitnessedhowgiantessessentbyRavanacameandtriedtofrightenSitaintosubmission,butshewouldnotevenlistentothenameofthegiantking.
Then,HanumancamenearertoSitaandtoldherhowhebecamethemessengerofRama,whohadsenthimtofindoutwhereSitawasandHanumanshowedtoSitathesignetringwhichRamahadgivenasatokenforestablishinghisidentity.HealsoinformedherthatassoonasRamawouldknowherwhereabouts,hewouldcomewithanarmyandconquerthegiantandrecoverher.However,hesuggestedtoSitathatifshewishedit,hewouldtakeheronhisshouldersandcouldwithoneleapcleartheoceanandgetbacktoRama.ButSitacouldnotbeartheidea,asshewaschastityitself,andcouldnottouchthebodyofanymanexceptherhusband.So,Sitaremainedwhereshewas.ButshegavehimajewelfromherhairtocarrytoRamaandwiththatHanumanreturned.
LearningeverythingaboutSitafromHanuman,Ramacollectedanarmy,andwithitmarchedtowardsthesouthernmostpointofIndia.ThereRama'smonkeysbuiltahugebridge,calledSetuBandha,connectingIndiawithCeylon.InverylowwaterevennowitispossibletocrossfromIndiatoCeylonoverthesandbanksthere.
NowRamawasGodincarnate,otherwise,howcouldhehavedoneallthesethings?HewasanIncarnationofGod,accordingtotheHindus.TheyinIndiabelievehimtobetheseventhIncarnationofGod.
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3/28/2015 THERAMAYANA(DeliveredattheShakespeareClub,Pasadena,California,January31,1900)
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Themonkeysremovedwholehills,placedthemintheseaandcoveredthemwithstonesandtrees,thusmakingahugeembankment.Alittlesquirrel,soitissaid,wasthererollinghimselfinthesandandrunningbackwardsandforwardsontothebridgeandshakinghimself.ThusinhissmallwayhewasworkingforthebridgeofRamabyputtinginsand.Themonkeyslaughed,fortheywerebringingwholemountains,wholeforests,hugeloadsofsandforthebridgesotheylaughedatthelittlesquirrelrollinginthesandandthenshakinghimself.ButRamasawitandremarked:"Blessedbethelittlesquirrelheisdoinghisworktothebestofhisability,andheisthereforequiteasgreatasthegreatestofyou."Thenhegentlystrokedthesquirrelontheback,andthemarksofRama'sfingers,runninglengthways,areseenonthesquirrel'sbacktothisday.
Now,whenthebridgewasfinished,thewholearmyofmonkeys,ledbyRamaandhisbrotherenteredCeylon.Forseveralmonthsafterwardstremendouswarandbloodshedfollowed.Atlast,thisdemonking,Ravana,wasconqueredandkilledandhiscapital,withallthepalacesandeverything,whichwereentirelyofsolidgold,wastaken.InfarawayvillagesintheinteriorofIndia,whenItellthemthatIhavebeeninCeylon,thesimplefolksay,"There,asourbookstell,thehousesarebuiltofgold."So,allthesegoldencitiesfellintothehandsofRama,whogavethemovertoVibhishana,theyoungerbrotherofRavana,andseatedhimonthethroneintheplaceofhisbrother,asareturnforthevaluableservicesrenderedbyhimtoRamaduringthewar.
ThenRamawithSitaandhisfollowersleftLanka.Butthereranamurmuramongthefollowers."Thetest!Thetest!"theycried,"SitahasnotgiventhetestthatshewasperfectlypureinRavana'shousehold."Pure!sheischastityitself"exclaimedRama."Nevermind!Wewantthetest,"persistedthepeople.Subsequently,ahugesacrificialfirewasmadeready,intowhichSitahadtoplungeherself.Ramawasinagony,thinkingthatSitawaslostbutinamoment,theGodoffirehimselfappearedwithathroneuponhishead,anduponthethronewasSita.Then,therewasuniversalrejoicing,andeverybodywassatisfied.
Earlyduringtheperiodofexile,Bharata,theyoungerbrotherhadcomeandinformedRama,ofthedeathoftheoldkingandvehementlyinsistedonhisoccupyingthethrone.DuringRama'sexileBharatawouldonnoaccountascendthethroneandoutofrespectplacedapairofRama'swoodenshoesonitasasubstituteforhisbrother.ThenRamareturnedtohiscapital,andbythecommonconsentofhispeoplehebecamethekingofAyodhya.
AfterRamaregainedhiskingdom,hetookthenecessaryvowswhichinoldentimesthekinghadtotakeforthebenefitofhispeople.Thekingwastheslaveofhispeople,andhadtobowtopublicopinion,asweshallseelateron.RamapassedafewyearsinhappinesswithSita,whenthepeopleagainbegantomurmurthatSitahadbeenstolenbyademonandcarriedacrosstheocean.Theywerenotsatisfiedwiththeformertestandclamouredforanothertest,otherwiseshemustbebanished.
Inordertosatisfythedemandsofthepeople,Sitawasbanished,andlefttoliveintheforest,wherewasthehermitageofthesageandpoetValmiki.ThesagefoundpoorSitaweepingandforlorn,andhearinghersadstory,shelteredherinhisshrama.Sitawasexpectingsoontobecomeamother,andshegavebirthtotwinboys.Thepoetnevertoldthechildrenwhotheywere.HebroughtthemuptogetherintheBrahmachrinlife.HethencomposedthepoemknownasRamayana,setittomusic,anddramatisedit.
Thedrama,inIndia,wasaveryholything.Dramaandmusicarethemselvesheldtobereligion.Anysongwhetheritbealovesongorotherwiseifone'swholesoulisinthatsong,oneattainssalvation,onehasnothingelsetodo.Theysayitleadstothesamegoalasmeditation.
So,Valmikidramatised"TheLifeofRama",andtaughtRama'stwochildrenhowtoreciteandsingit.
TherecameatimewhenRamawasgoingtoperformahugesacrifice,orYajna,suchastheoldkingsusedtocelebrate.ButnoceremonyinIndiacanbeperformedbyamarriedmanwithouthiswife:hemusthavethewifewithhim,theSahadharmini,the"coreligionist"
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3/28/2015 THERAMAYANA(DeliveredattheShakespeareClub,Pasadena,California,January31,1900)
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thatistheexpressionforawife.TheHinduhouseholderhastoperformhundredsofceremonies,butnotonecanbedulyperformedaccordingtotheShstras,ifhehasnotawifetocomplementitwithherpartinit.
NowRama'swifewasnotwithhimthen,asshehadbeenbanished.So,thepeopleaskedhimtomarryagain.ButatthisrequestRamaforthefirsttimeinhislifestoodagainstthepeople.Hesaid,"Thiscannotbe.MylifeisSita's."So,asasubstitute,agoldenstatueofSitawasmade,inorderthattheceremonycouldbeaccomplished.Theyarrangedevenadramaticentertainment,toenhancethereligiousfeelinginthisgreatfestival.Valmiki,thegreatsagepoet,camewithhispupils,LavaandKusha,theunknownsonsofRama.Astagehadbeenerectedandeverythingwasreadyfortheperformance.Ramaandhisbrothersattendedwithallhisnoblesandhispeopleavastaudience.UnderthedirectionofValmiki,thelifeofRamawassungbyLavaandKusha,whofascinatedthewholeassemblybytheircharmingvoiceandappearance.PoorRamawasnearlymaddened,andwheninthedrama,thesceneofSita'sexilecameabout,hedidnotknowwhattodo.Thenthesagesaidtohim,"Donotbegrieved,forIwillshowyouSita."ThenSitawasbroughtuponthestageandRamadelightedtoseehiswife.Allofasudden,theoldmurmurarose:"Thetest!Thetest!"PoorSitawassoterriblyovercomebytherepeatedcruelslightonherreputationthatitwasmorethanshecouldbear.Sheappealedtothegodstotestifytoherinnocence,whentheEarthopenedandSitaexclaimed,"Hereisthetest",andvanishedintothebosomoftheEarth.Thepeopleweretakenabackatthistragicend.AndRamawasoverwhelmedwithgrief.
AfewdaysafterSita'sdisappearance,amessengercametoRamafromthegods,whointimatedtohimthathismissiononearthwasfinishedandhewastoreturntoheaven.ThesetidingsbroughttohimtherecognitionofhisownrealSelf.HeplungedintothewatersofSarayu,themightyriverthatlavedhiscapital,andjoinedSitaintheotherworld.
Thisisthegreat,ancientepicofIndia.RamaandSitaaretheidealsoftheIndiannation.Allchildren,especiallygirls,worshipSita.Theheightofawoman'sambitionistobelikeSita,thepure,thedevoted,theallsuffering!Whenyoustudythesecharacters,youcanatoncefindouthowdifferentistheidealinIndiafromthatoftheWest.Fortherace,Sitastandsastheidealofsuffering.TheWestsays,"Do!Showyourpowerbydoing."Indiasays,"Showyourpowerbysuffering."TheWesthassolvedtheproblemofhowmuchamancanhave:Indiahassolvedtheproblemofhowlittleamancanhave.Thetwoextremes,yousee.SitaistypicalofIndiatheidealisedIndia.Thequestionisnotwhethersheeverlived,whetherthestoryishistoryornot,weknowthattheidealisthere.ThereisnootherPaurnikastorythathassopermeatedthewholenation,soenteredintoitsverylife,andhassotingledineverydropofbloodoftherace,asthisidealofSita.SitaisthenameinIndiaforeverythingthatisgood,pureandholyeverythingthatinwomanwecallwomanly.Ifapriesthastoblessawomanhesays,"BeSita!"Ifheblessesachild,hesays"BeSita!"TheyareallchildrenofSita,andarestrugglingtobeSita,thepatient,theallsuffering,theeverfaithful,theeverpurewife.Throughallthissufferingsheexperiences,thereisnotoneharshwordagainstRama.Shetakesitasherownduty,andperformsherownpartinit.Thinkoftheterribleinjusticeofherbeingexiledtotheforest!ButSitaknowsnobitterness.Thatis,again,theIndianideal.SaystheancientBuddha,"Whenamanhurtsyou,andyouturnbacktohurthim,thatwouldnotcurethefirstinjuryitwouldonlycreateintheworldonemorewickedness."SitawasatrueIndianbynaturesheneverreturnedinjury.
Whoknowswhichisthetruerideal?Theapparentpowerandstrength,asheldintheWest,orthefortitudeinsuffering,oftheEast?
TheWestsays,"Weminimiseevilbyconqueringit."Indiasays,"Wedestroyevilbysuffering,untilevilisnothingtous,itbecomespositiveenjoyment."Well,botharegreatideals.Whoknowswhichwillsurviveinthelongrun?Whoknowswhichattitudewillreallymostbenefithumanity?Whoknowswhichwilldisarmandconqueranimality?Willitbesuffering,ordoing?
Inthemeantime,letusnottrytodestroyeachother'sideals.Wearebothintentuponthesamework,whichistheannihilationofevil.Youtakeupyourmethodletustakeupourmethod.Letusnotdestroytheideal.IdonotsaytotheWest,"Takeupourmethod."Certainlynot.Thegoalisthesame,butthemethodscanneverbethesame.Andso,after
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3/28/2015 THERAMAYANA(DeliveredattheShakespeareClub,Pasadena,California,January31,1900)
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hearingabouttheidealsofIndia,IhopethatyouwillsayinthesamebreathtoIndia,"Weknow,thegoal,theideal,isallrightforusboth.Youfollowyourownideal.Youfollowyourmethodinyourownway,andGodspeedtoyou!"MymessageinlifeistoasktheEastandWestnottoquarreloverdifferentideals,buttoshowthemthatthegoalisthesameinbothcases,howeveroppositeitmayappear.Aswewendourwaythroughthismazyvaleoflife,letusbideachotherGodspeed.
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