“When the lord of munis told the king the reason for his visit, the king became caught between love and truth and thus couldn’t come up with a response.” (Janaki Mangala, 24)

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जबहिं मुनीस महीसहि काजु सुनायौ
भयौ सनेह सत्य बस उतरू न आयौ

jabahiṃ munīsa mahīsahi kāju sunāyau
bhayau saneha satya basa utarū na āyau

Being in an exalted position does not necessarily carry immunity from tough situations. The path forward may not always be straightforward, particularly when considering the different teachings involved in the issue. If I have knowledge from both sides, with instruction in favor of doing something, pravritti, and another advice in favor of avoiding action, nivritti, I might hesitate.

Shri Krishna explains in Bhagavad-gita that the intricacies of action and inaction are difficult to detect. The Sanskrit words in that discussion are karma and akarma. Doing something and not doing something. Speaking up and remaining silent. Taking up arms and standing ready to fight and sitting down and refusing to participate in hostilities.

कर्मण्य् अकर्म यः पश्येद्
अकर्मणि च कर्म यः
स बुद्धिमान् मनुष्येषु
स युक्तः कृत्स्न-कर्म-कृत्

karmaṇy akarma yaḥ paśyed
akarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ
sa buddhimān manuṣyeṣu
sa yuktaḥ kṛtsna-karma-kṛt

“One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.18)

For King Dasharatha, there was finally a steady, peaceful, and joyous condition. Though previously ruling over the kingdom of Ayodhya for a long time, there was one glaring weakness. It was a gap. It was a void to be filled. Dasharatha was the latest in the long line of rulers known for their dedication to dharma. Dasharatha earned his name from his expert ability to valiantly defend against enemies attacking from the ten directions, simultaneously.

There was no heir to the throne. There was no successor. Dasharatha lacked a son. This is a problem when considering succession. I may be doing a good job. I am proud of my ability to handle many tasks at once. I feel a sense of self-worth in being able to provide for people, in helping them, in guiding them through difficult times.

But what should happen in the future? What will be the situation when I am no longer here? The king has the most important responsibility, as they set the standard for others to follow. Their behavior is like the benchmark. Future leaders strive to at least live up to that level, if not exceed it.

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते

yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate

“Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.21)

What if there is no future leader? How can there be succession without a son? Dasharatha finally received the blessings, and in a bundle. Four sons at once. They were all expansions of Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Their placement in the wombs of the queens was due directly to yajna, which is religious sacrifice. But yajna is also synonymous with Vishnu.

नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम

nāyaṁ loko ’sty ayajñasya
kuto ’nyaḥ kuru-sattama

“O best of the Kuru dynasty, without sacrifice one can never live happily on this planet or in this life: what then of the next?” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.31)

The eldest son, Rama, was like a full expansion of Vishnu. Dasharatha was attached to Rama through loving affection. What greater reward can there be? This was the result of the elimination of sinful tendencies, material desires, and a general impure alignment. Dasharatha was the worthy father to Vishnu on earth.

येषां त्व् अन्त-गतं पापं
जनानां पुण्य-कर्मणाम्
ते द्वन्द्व-मोह-निर्मुक्ता
भजन्ते मां दृढ-व्रताः

yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ
janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām
te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā
bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ

“Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.28)

The association of Rama does not automatically eliminate difficult decisions. We see this in the visit of Vishvamitra to Ayodhya. The king was in a generous mood. He was ready to give anything to the brahmana community. Dasharatha was taken aback when Vishvamitra obliged by requesting the direct assistance of Shri Rama.

This was not like asking to take the son for a long walk. It was not to provide direct training in a practice session or to impart wisdom in a classroom setting. Rather, Rama was to serve as bodyguard against the vilest creatures on earth. These night-ranging ogres were harassing the sages in the forest of Dandaka. The sages wanted peace, but they instead found terror. Though Rama was only a youth at the time, Vishvamitra knew that that beloved son of Dasharatha could provide adequate protection.

Therefore, it is understandable that Dasharatha would become tongue-tied. A person of knowledge deliberates. They do not act whimsically. After some time, Dasharatha reluctantly agreed. He parted with something that meant the most to him. This is the true meaning of vairagya; detachment aligned with the highest purpose.

In Closing:

Detachment with purpose aligned,
Like in king of Ayodhya to find.

Who despite kindness to muni granting,
Perhaps on that promise recanting.

Because Vishvamitra requiring so,
That Rama in danger to go.

Dasharatha for a moment to hesitate,
But spirit of vairagya to demonstrate.

Categories: renunciation

Tags: dharma, duty, god, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, ramayana, religion