“During the exile period wearing the garb of an ascetic, while subsisting on fruits, seated on a bed of grass, and having love for trees, He gave Lanka to Vibhishana. In this way does Raghuvara behave.” (Dohavali, 162)

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बलकल भूषन फल असन तृन सज्या द्रुम प्रीति
तिन्ह समयन लंका दई यह रघुबर की रीति

balakala bhūṣana phala asana tṛna sajyā druma prīti
tinha samayana laṃkā daī yaha raghubara kī rīti

1. Only the best mineral water

“I am sorry sir, but this will not do. My boss only drinks that one brand of water. He practically insists upon it. If you leave this out here, he will not touch it. He might actually be insulted. If you can send someone to get the other brand, that would be preferred.”

2. Only the best hotel

“You know, I told that guy about the budget motel I used to stay in when I had that travel job. He practically spit out his drink. The face he made was priceless. He told me that he would never be caught dead in one of those places. He has his preferred brand of hotel and he will only stay there. He is at like the highest tier of their membership, too.”

3. Only the best wristwatch

“You see that watch he is wearing? That thing is worth more than my house. No joke. This person insists upon that specific brand. I don’t know if it’s a status symbol or he likes the way the display looks. But you will never see him not wearing one of those.”

4. Only the best location

“The first time I played golf here, the owner made a joke to me. In a casual conversation, they brought up one of the famous courses played by professionals in that annual tournament. This owner said that the course overlooks the bay. Meanwhile, his own course overlooks the ocean. ‘They have the bay; I have the ocean.’ Those were his exact words to me. Pretty funny.”

5. Only the best clothes

“Somehow he keeps up with the latest fashion trends. I think those pants he wears run thousands of dollars in the retail outlets. I tend to value comfort more than anything else. I would rather people not notice what I am wearing. No need to draw extra attention to myself. But I am not like everyone else.”

…

It is easy to criticize such tendencies, but the important person tries their best not to unnecessarily diminish their stature. If other important people insist upon certain amenities, then why should this person be any different? Why not act the part, if playing it? Why not follow the standard that others have set?

We notice the striking difference in the behavior of Shri Rama, the prince of Ayodhya. He already has the most going for Him. He is heir to the great royal fortune in the kingdom of Ayodhya. He is the eldest son, after all. By the common protocols of succession, He will inherit everything from the king, who happens to be His father.

Rama can renounce that same wealth at a moment’s notice. He does not require time to prepare. There is no transition period or an exploratory training mission. One day living in regal opulence and the next day accepting the vow of the ascetic. That transition will last for fourteen years. There is no option to turn back. There is no point in lamenting over what is lost. Like leaving behind water from a drinking glass, Rama can turn away from everything comfortable in the kingdom.

As Goswami Tulsidas describes, Rama can take joy in the association of trees. These are like His trusted companions. He sleeps on a bed of grass. He eats only fruits. He wears the most inexpensive clothing. It is within such a visual that Rama can make someone else a king. He does so for the Rakshasa named Vibhishana.

Why not insist on the highest luxuries? Why not present yourself as what you really are, the king of kings? Why not demand that others offer the highest respect? Why impose a life of renunciation when it is not necessary to impress others?

The Sanskrit word Bhagavan applies to the Supreme Lord, and this word is more descriptive than the otherwise generic concepts of God, the Almighty, or a controlling authority. Bhagavan says that the highest being of all has all opulences in full and simultaneously. One of those opulences is renunciation.

Rama is vairagya personified. He is this way always, but we tend to notice more during moments of clear contrast. Rama is just as renounced while living in Ayodhya, but during the exile period we get the evidence that the skeptics otherwise insist upon.

Despite showing renunciation, Rama is not poor. He maintains the same potency. Moreover, His word is everything. If He makes Vibhishana the king of Lanka, that will be the reality. Though Ravana remains the authority figure in Lanka, it is only a matter of time until the transfer of power takes place.

In Closing:

Though now to one with many a face,
Leadership transfer to take place.

Because by Rama’s own hand,
With authority to command.

While living underneath a tree,
As most renounced could be.

The new king of Lanka made,
From visit Vibhishana paid.

Categories: dohavali 161-200, the five

Tags: dailyprompt, poem, poems, poetry, poverty, tulsidas, wealth