“Even a guru becomes worthy of punishment if he becomes arrogant, cannot discern between what is to be done and what is not to be done, and goes astray from the path of righteousness.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 21.13)

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गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः
उत्पथं प्रतिपन्नस्य कार्यं भवति शासनम्

gurorapyavaliptasya kāryākāryamajānataḥ
utpathaṃ pratipannasya kāryaṃ bhavati śāsanam

“I must say, there is something truly special about a person standing up for someone else. At least from my perspective, I like seeing it. I am impressed. I am inspired to follow. I do not mind if people offend me. That is fine. I can shrug it off. But if I see an innocent person, who bears no ill will towards anyone, being mistreated, there is this rage that builds up inside of me.

“If you ask me, that is why that one politician climbed the ladder of success so quickly. They said things in the public space that others have been saying for years. They are really no different, except in their delivery. They have this confidence to them, bordering on arrogance. In response, the opponents try everything they can to destroy this upstart. Your average citizen, who was barely paying attention, sees everything happening. They feel the new politician is being treated unfairly. They decide to jump to their defense. If the opponents had simply left well enough alone, no one would have even considered voting for this person, who was otherwise known only for their success in the business world.

“Anyway, this is all to say that I really appreciate some of the defenses established in the sacred texts of the Vedic tradition. I am particularly drawn to the impassioned plea from Lakshmana, the younger brother of Shri Rama, found in the early portions of the Ramayana poem of Valmiki. Lakshmana is otherwise stoic, responsible, and under control. But the minute he spots injustice, against his beloved elder brother, he leaps into action.

“No boundary will hold Lakshmana back. No etiquette will keep him in place. Lakshmana insists that Rama take the throne, as previously planned. Never mind that Dasharatha, their father, has changed his mind, at the insistence of his suddenly envious wife, Queen Kaikeyi. Never mind that Rama has no issue with the new plans, which call for Him to leave the kingdom for fourteen years. Never mind that Rama wants Lakshmana to stay back, to remain in the kingdom of Ayodhya, to keep an eye on things and to alleviate the suffering of the chief queen, Kausalya, who is Rama’s mother.

“Lakshmana proposes mounting a coup. He cleverly constructs supporting arguments. One of them is that a guru, who is the spiritual guide, can be worthy of punishment if they suddenly fall off the deep end, so to speak. Though they are like a coach, they can still be disciplined. If they become arrogant, if they lose their way, if they no longer can distinguish between right and wrong, then the disciple can turn the tables. Lakshmana made this argument to support the move of going against Dasharatha, in applying force, if necessary.

“Now, I totally get the sentiment here. I understand that there are attachments involved. I get it that Lakshmana would never harm someone unnecessarily. But don’t you think a person can get the wrong idea by accessing such statements? You have many so-called gurus of recent times later exposed as cheaters. Their abusive offenses finally see the light of day. The victims are upset. Some of the disciples break the bond; they sever ties with the guru. If those same people happened to read what Lakshmana said to Rama, wouldn’t they consider violence? Does that not present a dangerous situation?”

Formerly, these sacred texts were retained within memory by scholarly sages and adept students, learning at the feet of their esteemed teacher. There is a category of literature known as smriti. The literal meaning to the word is “that which is remembered.” Though held within the memory bank, the information was never shared capriciously or without proper consideration. The candidate disciples would be tested. There would be a review period. The initiation took place to formalize the period of training, such that there was appropriate seriousness brought to the table.

Today, the cat is essentially out of the bag. Anyone can pull up an artistic depiction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, be it in statue form or a painting. Anyone can create their own rendering, be it accurate or not. They can even create grossly offensive derivative images, using AI prompts. In this way, it is easy to get the wrong idea about Divinity. There is increased vulnerability to cheating and exploitation.

The Sanskrit words describing Lakshmana’s argument are also found in other sacred texts, like Skanda Purana and Mahabharata, but with a notable distinction. The premise is the same, wherein the hypothetical is the guru losing their way. The conclusion is a little different, though. The response from the disciple is to reject the guru. There is no mention of punishment. Lakshmana has his say on the matter, but he is in the occupation of a kshatriya. He is an administrator of the law.

गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः
उत्पथे वर्तमानस्य परित्यागो विधीयते

gurorapyavaliptasya kāryākāryamajānataḥ
utpathe vartamānasya parityāgo vidhīyate

“Even a guru becomes fit to be rejected if he becomes arrogant, cannot discern between what is to be done and what is not to be done, and goes astray from the path of righteousness.” (Skanda Purana, 6.1.278.88)

The expert spiritual guide will be able to bring the appropriate context, to not only this situation but to virtually all aspects of spiritual life. Even Bhagavad-gita can be misunderstood as condoning senseless and needless violence. The premise of that conversation is a lack of a desire for retribution. Arjuna is something like a conscientious objector. Through the counsel of Shri Krishna, he decides to carry forward, but with detachment.

Moreover, in the case of Lakshmana, the judge being petitioned did not agree to the motion. Rama appreciated the gesture, but the decision was not altered. Rama left for fourteen years. Lakshmana went with Him. That show of devotion could not be suppressed. It is the same way for the devoted souls, who receive what they require for devotion. Whatever they have simultaneously gets maintained, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gita.

अनन्याश् चिन्तयन्तो मां
ये जनाः पर्युपासते
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां
योग-क्षेमं वहाम्य् अहम्

ananyāś cintayanto māṁ
ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ
yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham

“But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.22)

In Closing:

After flames of envy to fan,
To Kaikeyi and husband’s plan.

Lakshmana suggesting to resist,
Violence justified to insist.

If only those words to read,
Then improperly to proceed.

Even with Gita the conclusion reaching,
Truth in proper context teaching.

Categories: questions

Tags: dailyprompt, guru, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, ramayana