“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

1. The restaurant server

“Hello, sir. I hope everything with your meal was up to standard. I hope you enjoyed everything thoroughly. Is there anything additional I can assist you with? Do you need more water? A refill of that soda, perhaps? Care to take a look at our dessert menu?”

2. The flight attendant

“We hope you have enjoyed the trip thus far. We should be landing in about one hour. Prior to preparing the cabin, is there anything additional we could offer you? A new blanket, perhaps? Another drink? We can also help with reclining the seat back to its original position. Oh, you would like a newspaper to read? I think we can arrange for that. One moment.”

3. The soldier

“I am ready to serve. Send me to wherever my skills would be best suited. Not the easiest mission. Not the safest place. I want to go where people are needed. I am ready to do as you ask. Your order is my command. Do not hesitate to send me into the belly of the beast. I am not afraid of danger.”

4. The customer service operator

“Okay, in summary, we have updated your mailing address on file. We also confirmed that this is the best number we can reach you at in the future. Is there anything else I can assist with today? Have all of your needs been met? You might be contacted in a day or two with a survey asking about your experience. Please reach out to us in the meantime if there are any outstanding issues that you would like addressed. Thank you and please enjoy the rest of your day.”

5. The leader of men

Throughout the course of a day we may say or do so many things out of formality, out of custom or habit, that we fail to recognize the actual words behind the gestures. In the highest culture found in the city of Ayodhya, during the reign of Maharaja Dasharatha, it is not surprising to see both visitors and guests behaving according to protocol.

The king once gave an example of this etiquette during a visit from Vishvamitra Muni. Dasharatha welcomed the sage as if he were sent from heaven itself. The kings during those times were known by many words distinguishing their unique position in leadership. Sanskrit words like nripati, naradeva, and bhupati refer to kings as the leaders of the earthly region, setting the standard for other men to follow.

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)

But what should happen if the other person obliges? If the king says that the guest can ask for whatever it is they want, will that request actually be granted? Vishvamitra asked to have Shri Rama as an escort. Rama would protect Vishvamitra and the other sages in the forests known as tapovana. These were places conducive to austerity and penance, tapasya.

We might hire a bodyguard as a precautionary move. Just in case there is danger. A visible sign of fortification, to dissuade any potential attackers from moving forward. But Vishvamitra wanted Rama to deal with an existing threat. Night-ranging ogres like Tataka were causing havoc. These were like the worst monsters one can imagine; moving in the dark, at that, with intentionally changing shapes.

Did Dasharatha actually mean what he said? Was he true to his word? Was he really dedicated to the welfare of the legitimate brahmana community? Or was there a limit to his charitable nature? Were there some issues over which he was unwilling to compromise? Were there conditions to his generosity?

It is understandable that the king would hesitate. Rama was everything to him. Rama was the eldest son that Dasharatha had long awaited. How could a loving father send someone so young into such danger? How could Vishvamitra not realize the agony and anguish this would cause?

Since he was indeed an embodiment of dharma, Dasharatha agreed. Any person can be pious, humble, and kind in theory, but Dasharatha proved these qualities amidst difficult circumstances, in the vast and extended playing field called life. Whilst facing difficult choices, that father to the celebrated avatara of Vishnu proved his worthiness in leading the Raghu dynasty at that time.

In Closing:

Steady service provided for,
Asking if needed anything more.

But actually meaning what they say?
Or only etiquette at play?

Vishvamitra with the greatest ask,
For young son in dangerous task.

To the forest against enemies sent,
Dasharatha on this issue to relent.

Categories: the five

Tags: god, hare krishna, hinduism, poem, poems, poetry, religion