SHRI RAM AND MARYADAS OF
HIS TIME : 1

SWAMBER  OF 
SITA

SHRI RAM, the most worshipped incarnation of Lord
Vishnu, is a historical
figure of Treta Yug. He was, and is, called Maryada Puroshattam Ram. Here we
would like to understand why he was called MARYADA
PUROSHATTAM RAM.

Before venturing any further, we must have a clear and
acceptable definition of Maryada. Maryada simply
means ‘the noblest and finest traditions of that time’. However we have
to understand one thing very clearly, Maryadas are time specific, age specific.
Maryada of Treta Yug may not be relevant today. This will become clearer if you
have read my earlier post ‘Agni Pariksha of Sita…Facts’. Here Ram follows the
Maryada of that time, and asks Sita to undergo Agni Pariksha test, only to pass
a Royal decree, later, that hence forth this test will not be used to certify
the loyalty or chastity of any female.

The other thing which must be absolutely clear to every
reader is, that MARYADAS, OR TRADITIONS ARE
FOLLOWED BY HUMAN BEINGS...NOT GOD, and history records (however
weak and disintegrated) are available only of the Powerful, Mighty, and the
Noblest. Shri Ram was the most powerful, mighty and
the noblest historical figure of his time. Until and unless we
believe that Shri Ram was a historical figure, there is no point in believing
in, or discussing, the Maryadas he followed. I repeat, God does not (and NEVER) follow any traditions or
Maryadas. But human being is bound by Dharm and traditions. In the
case of Shri Ram, this confusion is very evident, as people, while discussing
him as God and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, also deliberate why he was called
Maryada Puroshattam. There is no problem in accepting him as God and also
Maryada Puroshattam, but please do not mix the two. Shri Ram was the Maryada
Purush of the Treta Yug because he followed the noblest traditions of that time
AND he is justly called Maryada Puroshattam Ram because he had the courage and
conviction to IGNORE, at least on one occasion, the Maryada of his time
for the sake of Humanity.

  The first Maryada we are discussing here is when Shri Ram,
accompanied by Laxman and Maharishi Vishvamitra is in Janakpuri for the Swamber
of Sita. They are here on a very clear mission. The mission was to ensure safe
and proper dismantling of Shiv Dhanush- the ultimate weapon of mass
destruction. But before reaching the Swamber, Shri Ram already fell in love
with Sita, when he accidently saw her in a garden, on the outskirts of city.

On reaching the stage where swamber was being organized, Sage
Vishvamitra, and Shri Ram, Laxman were personally received by King Janak
himself. They are escorted to the Dias and made to sit comfortably. King of
Lanka, Ravan was already there. Kings and Princes from all part of the world
were already there.  Here King Janak
informed the gathering about the serious problem that can be faced by all humanity
because Shiv Dhanush had now become old and unreliable. The problem required
immediate solution as Shiv Dhanush was a weapon of mass destruction and could
cause serious and un-imaginable damage.

King Janak informed the gathering about an accord which had
been concluded recently between Shri Ram, the Prince of Ayodhya, and King
Ravan, of Lanka, in his presence and the presence of Sage Vishvamitra (Read my
earlier post  Ramayan and history).Under
this accord Ravan had declared that he had no animosity against any Kingdom.
Ravan personally endorsed this and told everyone that he was equally concerned
for all humanity and wanted a safe dismantling of Shiv Dhanush.

King Janak then declared that he would offer Sita’s hand in
marriage to that prince or king who could ensure dismantling of Shiv Dhanush.
After that several prince and king, individually and collectively tried and
failed. Shri Ram was sitting on the dais and was a party to the accord. The
Maryada of that time did not allow him to participate in the swamber until he
was announced and accepted as a candidate. He, neither Sage Vishvamitra had
done so. As such in spite of him being in love with Sita, he sat quietly
watching the proceedings.

That was the Maryada of his time. Shri Ram did not announce
his candidature nor did he inform Sage Vishvamitra about his recent love. It
was when King Janak became frustrated seeing that no one in the gathering could
even initiate the dismantling, he announced, with contempt, that this gathering
is bereft of any worthy or capable nobility, Laxman protested stating that as
long as Prince of Ayodhya, Shri Ram was here, no one could use such words. That
was enough for Sage Vishvamitra to request Shri Ram to relieve Janak from the
agony by dismantling Shiv Dhanush.

But that was Treta Yug. What exactly is the lesson for people
today? Well if I am asked to answer this question, my advice would be to
announce your candidature immediately. We have to accept and understand that
our values are different. Even Shri Krishna had different set of values in Dwaper
Yug.

Values is not Dharm. Values can change with time but Dharm
need not change. What was the Dharm of Shri Ram, we shall be discussing later.