Why Rama Acted Thus

Rama's Act Justified

Why Did Rama Act Thus?

When we read Ramayana, we come across few acts of Rama which looks as though he acted in the wrong way. And there are always a few people who wait to find fault with out religion, our itihasas and puranas. As devout Hindus, we must always look to find answers for acts of GOD. Before we find answers, we must accept that whatever done by HIM MUST be to the good and with reason. With this mental attitude, we are bound to find satisfactory answers.

In one of my last posts, the reason for Rama killing Vaali in hiding was explained, the act of Krishna marrying 16000 ladies was elaborated. For those who missed it can find it here: http://lahariguru.blogspot.in/2013/06/rama-and-krishna-get-your-facts-right.html.

In this post I would like to elaborate on a specific act of Rama.

Why did Rama ask Sita to do agni pravesha after getting released from Rvana?

This is a famous accusation that we all do in general that Rama was very rude in asking Sita to enter into fire before accepting her back. How unjust and heartless can he be? Sita was longing to see HIM and he blatantly refused to take her as she was. Many acharyas and gurus have written bhasyam to the ramayanam. 

The reason is this.

Ravana had all the planets and devas under his control. Indra, Vayu, Agni, Varuna, Rahu, Ketu, Shani etc etc were all under his torturous rule. Agni was saddened at his plight. That Agni who was respected in rituals and Yagas was treated badly and was used as a cooking tool to cook for Ranava’s kitchen. HE had to deal with meat and flesh every day. It was years since he was taken as a prime person for the yagas. He felt extremely bad that his purity was hampered.  He therefore approached Sita and requested that she cleans him. Her very touch would give back to him his lost glory and purity. Sita who is mercy incarnate, telepathically informed this to Rama. One would term it as pride if Rama openly revealed Agni’s desire that Sita would purify him by touching him. Rama therefore asked Sita to show her purity to the world by entering Agni. Rama knew Sita's purity. There was no need for an additional proof. In order to purify Agni, he acted thus.

Even if we think of a normal being, no man would take his wife as is when she has lived with another man for a year or so. Rama at no point in his avatar revealed or acted to show that he was Vishnu’s incarnation. He acted just like how an ordinary man would act thereby purifying agni too.

An interesting comparison between Rama and Krishna in my next blog…

Ram Ram