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Was recently listening to an upanayasam on the Ramayana. Held by the venerable Sri U. Ve. Velukkudi Krishnan Swamigal. Swamiji talked about how Maharaja Dasaratha, the father of Shri RamaChandra didn’t go to Vaikuntha. He could only get to Indraloka.
इन्द्रलोकं गतः श्रीमांस्त्वया पुत्रेण तारितः |
लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा त्वमेनमभिवादय || ६-११९-८
Compare this with Jatayu, who is a bird and incapable of even performing Vedic rites, who goes straight to Vaikuntha.
लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा त्वमेनमभिवादय || ६-११९-८
Compare this with Jatayu, who is a bird and incapable of even performing Vedic rites, who goes straight to Vaikuntha.
या गतिः यज्ञ शीलानाम् आहित अग्नेः च या गतिः |
अ पर आवर्तिनाम् या च या च भूमि प्रदायिनाम् || ३-६८-२९
मया त्वम् समनुज्ञातो गच्छ लोकान् अनुत्तमान् |
गृध्र राज महा सत्त्व संस्कृतः च मया व्रज || ३-६८-३०
अ पर आवर्तिनाम् या च या च भूमि प्रदायिनाम् || ३-६८-२९
मया त्वम् समनुज्ञातो गच्छ लोकान् अनुत्तमान् |
गृध्र राज महा सत्त्व संस्कृतः च मया व्रज || ३-६८-३०
How can this be? Dasaratha was a great king, performer of Vedic rites, so pious was he that Bhagwan himself was born in his house.
Jatayu on the other hand was a bird, a vulture to be precise, eater of flesh.
Did Bhagwan make a mistake?
Jatayu on the other hand was a bird, a vulture to be precise, eater of flesh.
Did Bhagwan make a mistake?
Swamiji then elucidated on the difference between विशेष धर्म and सामान्य धर्म
विशेष धर्म is towards Bhagwan. सामान्य धर्म includes one’s mortal duties.
विशेष धर्म > सामान्य धर्म
That is, if there is a conflict between the two, one should follow विशेष धर्म
विशेष धर्म is towards Bhagwan. सामान्य धर्म includes one’s mortal duties.
विशेष धर्म > सामान्य धर्म
That is, if there is a conflict between the two, one should follow विशेष धर्म
Now coming to Raja Dasaratha. Specifically his action of sending Shri RamaChandra to vanvaas.
His सामान्य धर्म here was to keep the vow he made to Kaikeyi.
विशेष धर्म was to coronate Shri Rama.
His सामान्य धर्म here was to keep the vow he made to Kaikeyi.
विशेष धर्म was to coronate Shri Rama.
We all know the decision he made. In actuality, the decision he made(Keeping his vow to a mortal over Bhagwan himself) is one that condemns people to Naraka.
But so kind is Rama, so deep his compassion, he still raised Dasaratha to Indraloka.
But so kind is Rama, so deep his compassion, he still raised Dasaratha to Indraloka.
Jatayu otoh is the perfect example of making the right choice. His सामान्य धर्म was to act as a bird, he did not have to fight Ravana, he must have known he couldn’t save Mata Sita. But he chose to sacrifice his life in service to Bhagwan.
So moved was Shri Rama by Jatayu’s actions, that despite that particular incarnation being a mortal, he granted Vaikuntha to Jatayu.
How could a Mortal be in a position ‘grant’ the highest of heavens? That is another tweet thread. Some other day maybe.
How could a Mortal be in a position ‘grant’ the highest of heavens? That is another tweet thread. Some other day maybe.
In conclusion, when the choice is between Bhagwan and anything else, always choose Bhagwan.
Bhagwan is omniscient, omnipotent, but also a KrupaSagara, an ocean of compassion. He makes no mistakes.
Bhagwan is omniscient, omnipotent, but also a KrupaSagara, an ocean of compassion. He makes no mistakes.
May all glory be to Rama, whose kindness knows no bounds.
Jai Shri Rama
P.S. I am but a novice. Seek forgiveness for any mistakes I might have made, knowingly or unknowingly.
Jai Shri Rama
P.S. I am but a novice. Seek forgiveness for any mistakes I might have made, knowingly or unknowingly.
