Following the practice of looking at the famous Rama temples, let us delve into the famed Ramanathaswamy Temple, located in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Although primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ramanathaswamy Temple is intrinsically linked to Lord Rama’s epic journey. This temple is deeply entwined with the epic Ramayana, making it a revered destination for followers of Lord Rama. According to legend, after defeating the demon king Ravana, Lord Rama was tormented by guilt for having slain a Brahmin, despite his just cause. Seeking to absolve himself of this sin, Rama journeyed to Rameswaram, where he performed elaborate penance and worshipped Lord Shiva at the very site where Ramanathaswamy Temple now rises. He decided to consecrate a Shiva Lingam on Rameswaram Island. He sent Lord Hanuman to Mount Kailash to procure the lingam, but as the auspicious time for the rituals approached and Hanuman had not returned, Sita Devi crafted a Shiva Lingam out of sand. This lingam, known as the Ramalingam, remains enshrined in the temple. Ramanathaswamy Temple is celebrated for its architectural grandeur, with stunning Dravidian-style carvings, majestic gopurams, and an exquisite corridor that is one of the longest in the world. This corridor, spanning over 1,200 meters, is lined with nearly 1,000 intricately sculpted granite pillars, creating a mesmerizing sight.
Pilgrims are also drawn to the sacred theerthams within the temple complex. It is believed that Lord Rama and his army purified themselves in these holy wells after the war in Lanka. Bathing in these theerthams is considered an act of spiritual cleansing. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, making it a revered destination for devotees. The temple also forms part of the Char Dham pilgrimage, alongside Badrinath, Puri, and Dwarka. Visiting this temple during the Rama Navami or Maha Shivaratri festival which just went past in the last week or the Tamil month of Aadi heightens its mystical aura. The blend of devotion, art, and history makes Ramanathaswamy Temple a must-visit for anyone seeking spiritual solace and architectural splendor. In its hallowed halls, the spirit of Lord Rama’s journey endures, inviting all who seek divine grace and enlightenment to partake in its timeless embrace.
Coming back to the narration of epic, Rama recounts the story of King Yayati to Lakshmana in the last post. Yayati was given as an example of a king who doesn’t hit back when cursed and endures it with patience. Before that he concludes the stories of Vasishtha, Nimi. From a sacred vessel, into which gods Mitra and Varuna emptied their vital seed, emerged two eminent beings: Agastya, who renounced his lineage, and Vasishtha, later revered as the family priest of the Ikshvakus after being divinely reborn from a bodiless state. Rama then narrates how King Nimi of the Ikshvakus, celebrated for his valor and truth, underwent a grand sacrifice to restore his lost body. During the ritual, rishis preserved his form with unguents and herbs, and the sage Bhrigu, pleased by the offering, declared that the gods would restore him by granting him a boon. Nimi chose to have his consciousness reside as air, enabling the restoration of his body through a miraculous emergence of an ascetic being, Mithi, who later became known as the ancient Janaka and founded the Mithila lineage. Lakshmana then inquired why Nimi could not forgive Vasishtha. Rama responded by recounting King Yayati’s tale. Yayati, son of Nahusha with wives Sharmishtha and Devayani, was cursed by Shukracharya with old age. When Yayati asked his sons to exchange their youth for his senility, Yadu refused while Puru accepted. Rejuvenated, Yayati ruled for many years before reclaiming his old age from Puru. Rama urged Lakshmana to follow the example of those who embraced fate, cautioning against the downfall that awaited those who resisted destiny, like King Nriga. We can look at the continuation in following chapters.
In chapter 59b, we can look at Rama giving compassion for all beings.
At dawn, the radiant Rama performed his morning rituals and took his seat on the royal throne, surrounded by a distinguished assembly of brahmins, citizens, ministers, and sages well-versed in government, law, scriptures, and ethics. This assembly, reminiscent of Indra’s majestic hall of justice or the realms of Yama and Kubera, reflected the high moral and administrative standards of Rama’s rule.
In this august gathering, Rama addressed his loyal brother Lakshmana, who was marked by auspicious signs. He instructed Lakshmana to go to the city gate and summon anyone who had come as a petitioner, ensuring that the law was accessible to all. Following his command, Lakshmana ventured to the gate, expecting to hear the voices of those seeking justice or redress. However, no one appeared. Under Rama’s just and benevolent administration, poverty and disease were absent, and the land flourished with ample grain and healing herbs. People of all ages thrived, and death seemed almost unknown; the kingdom was a realm of equity and prosperity where no one needed to complain.
Despite this harmonious state, Rama insisted that Lakshmana should check again, emphasizing that even in times of peace, vigilance was essential to prevent unrighteousness. He compared his own role in upholding the law to that of an archer, whose arrows always found their mark. Acting on this command, Lakshmana returned to the gate and soon noticed a lone dog, whose steadfast gaze and incessant howling set it apart. Concerned, Lakshmana addressed the animal with compassion, asking it to reveal its grievance without fear.
To Lakshmana’s astonishment, the dog spoke, expressing its deep desire to communicate something important to Rama—the revered king known for his divine exploits and as a protector of all beings. The dog lamented its fate, explaining that by virtue of its lowly birth, it was barred from entering the temple of a god, the palace of a king, or the abode of a brahmin. It also claimed that it could not approach the sacred elements of fire, the presence of Indra, the light of the sun, or the swift wind. Nonetheless, the dog acknowledged Rama as the personification of virtue—a ruler who embodied truth, martial prowess, omniscience, and was revered like the celestial deities: the moon, the sun, Agni, Yama, Indra, Kubera, and Varuna. The creature respectfully declared that it would not enter these holy spaces without Rama’s express permission.
Returning to the palace, Lakshmana reported the dog’s heartfelt petition to Rama. Moved by the sincerity of the request and embodying his characteristic compassion, Rama commanded that the petitioner, regardless of its humble nature, be promptly brought inside. Thus, Rama’s edict reaffirmed his commitment to justice and inclusiveness, ensuring that even the smallest and most unassuming of beings could seek and receive his protection.
In chapter 59c, the dog narrates the dangers of holding onto powerful positions.
Lakshmana, following Rama’s command, summoned the dog to the royal court. As the dog approached, Rama encouraged it to speak freely. The dog, bearing a wound on its head, addressed the king with reverence, acknowledging his role as the protector of all beings and upholder of dharma. It praised dharma as the foundation of the world and the guiding force for a righteous king. The dog expressed its humility and asked for forgiveness if its words were excessive.
Rama, impressed by the wisdom of the dog, inquired about its grievance. The dog revealed that a brahmin named Sarvartha-siddha had struck it on the head without provocation. Rama immediately sent for the brahmin, who, upon arrival, humbly asked the reason for his summons. Rama questioned him about the unjust act, emphasizing the dangers of anger and its destructive power. He lectured on the importance of self-control, patience, and righteousness in a man’s conduct.
Sarvartha-siddha admitted to his guilt, explaining that hunger had overcome him while seeking alms, and in frustration, he struck the dog when it did not move swiftly from his path. He accepted responsibility and requested appropriate punishment to cleanse his wrongdoing.
Rama then consulted his ministers, sages, and scholars on the matter. The learned men, citing tradition, stated that a brahmin should not be punished. They addressed Rama as the ultimate ruler and embodiment of divine justice. At this, the dog made an unusual request: instead of punishing the brahmin, it asked that he be appointed as the head of the holy assembly at Kalanjava Monastery.
Rama granted the request, and the brahmin, feeling honored, mounted an elephant and proceeded to assume his new role. The ministers, puzzled by Rama’s decision, questioned why the guilty brahmin had been rewarded instead of punished. Rama, confident in the dog's wisdom, turned to it for clarification.
The dog then revealed its past life—it had previously served as the head of the same assembly, ruling justly and upholding dharma. Despite its virtuous conduct, it was now reborn as a dog, which it believed to be the result of having held that authoritative position. The dog warned that the newly appointed brahmin, being of an angry and impious nature, would bring dishonor upon seven generations of his lineage. It explained that a person who misuses sacred responsibilities and fails to uphold dharma not only falls into disgrace but also dooms his descendants.
The dog further elaborated that anyone who deprives brahmins, women, or children of their rightful possessions faces severe consequences in the afterlife. It concluded that a man who seeks to see his family and followers perish in misfortune should be entrusted with power, for authority, when misused, leads to ultimate ruin.
Rama listened with astonishment as the dog finished its tale. Soon after, the dog departed. It traveled to the holy city of Kashi, where, desiring to end its life in a sacred place, it undertook a waterless fast, hoping for spiritual liberation.
This story highlights the dangers of assuming positions of authority without righteousness. It implies that improper governance and failure to uphold dharma can lead to severe consequences in future incarnations, reinforcing the belief that power should only be wielded with responsibility and virtue.
This concludes chapters 59b and 59c of Uttara Kanda where we had seen the story unfolding in Rama’s courtroom. It can be noted that when Lakshmana went to seek any petitioners, he found none – under Rama’s just and benevolent administration, poverty and disease were absent, and the land flourished with ample grain and healing herbs. People of all ages thrived, and death seemed almost unknown; the kingdom was a realm of equity and prosperity where no one needed to complain. It is the power and fortune of living under his rule which rendered people without a minor grievance. But there is a lone dog waiting to be heard at the gate. The dog recounts how it was beaten unjustly by a Brahmin for no fault of its own. As Brahmins were highly respected in society, Lord Rama is initially cautious in approaching this case. However, he carefully listens to both sides, as he is committed to fairness. After con firming the Brahmin's guilt, Lord Rama decides to impose a fitting punishment. Surprisingly, the dog itself suggests the punishment. It requests that the Brahmin be appointed as the head of a monastery. This might seem like a reward rather than a punishment, but the dog explains that such a role would burden the Brahmin with immense responsibilities, and if he fails to live righteously, it would lead to his spiritual downfall. Lord Rama respects the dog's wisdom and grants the request. We can look at further tales in subsequent chapters.
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