In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna classifying all our actions into three different categories according to the three important “Gunas” that we possess – “Sathva Guna”, “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna”. This discussion is as part of the seventeenth “Adhyaaya” of the Bhagawad Gita and Bhagawan Krishna explains to Arjuna that whatever actions we perform, should be of the “Saathvika” nature. The same actions can be performed in the “Raajasic” and “Taamasic” nature as well and we should avoid these. For instance, consuming food is very important, but at the same time, we cannot eat whatever we get in hand, isn’t it? There should be a proper balance in our diet with all nutrients in the right quantities. This is what we refer to as “Saathvika Aahaara”. However, if our food contains a lot of spice, oil and salt content in it, we call this as “Raajasa Aahaara”. As a result of consuming such food, our “Rajo Guna” starts dominating within us and this motivates us to go along the path of “Adharma”. Similarly if we’re giving “Dhaanam”, we should offer the “Dhaanam” with our pure heart and love. This is the “Saathvika Dhaanam”. However, if we’re offering the “Dhaanam” in front of the cameras and with an aim of achieving name and fame because of this, it is called “Raajasa Dhaanam” and if we’re giving the “Dhaanam” with half-mindedness and with a lot of reluctance, it is referred to as “Taamasa Dhaanam”. Hence, even when we’re offering the “Dhaanam” to someone, we should always offer it in the “Saathvik” manner.
In today’s episode, we shall witness some examples of these aspects that we’ve got in our scriptural texts itself. When Sage Vishwamitra made his way to King Dasharata’s palace to ask for Bhagawan Rama to perform his “Yagnyam” for the benefit of the world, initially King Dasharata did not want to offer. We’ve seen this during our earlier Ramayana project that when Sage Vishwamitra comes inside King Dasharata’s chamber, King Dasharata receives him with all the respects and gives an assurance that he would be ready to offer anything that Sage Vishwamitra wants! However, what conspired is that, Sage Vishwamitra asked for King Dasharata’s son straightaway, which King Dasharata least expected! At that time, Bhagawan Rama was around 12 years old and King Dasharata was wondering how a small 12-year-old boy could protect a huge “Yagnya” that Sage Vishwamitra is going to do! However, Sage Vishwamitra tries to pacify King Dasharata by motivating him that his son is capable of anything and we shouldn’t underestimate him in any way. Even after so much persuasion, King Dasharata was not really convinced! He replied to Sage Vishwamitra that he’s not going to give Bhagawan Rama to him by any chance! Instead, King Dasharata offered a deal to Sage Vishwamitra that he could ask him anything else other than Bhagawan Rama!
However, as Sage Vishwamitra stood by his stance, King Dasharata bluntly refused! This act of King Dasharata is a great example of “Taamasa Dhaanam”, wherein King Dasharata is stubborn in his stance, not to give Bhagawan Rama! Normally when great Maharishis come for obtaining “Dhaanam”, it is a norm that we offer the “Dhaanam” with a Sanskrit phrase –
“Braahmanaaya tubramaham sampradate! Idan namama!”
This means – “Oh great Brahmana Rishi! I’m offering this item to you as “Dhaanam” and from now onwards this item is never mine!” After offering the “Dhaanam”, even for a second we should not think about that item that we’ve offered to them! Rather on the contrary, if we’re saying that this item is mine and offering the “Dhaanam”, great Maharishis will never accept it! This is exactly what King Dasharata does here – So when he’s saying that he’s not going to send Bhagawan Rama along with Sage Vishwamitra to the forest, he says – “Oh Sage Vishwamitra! I’m not going to send my son along with you!” This irked Sage Vishwamitra and he started to walk away in anger! However, due to the timely intervention of Sage Vasishtaachaarya, King Dasharata quickly changes his mind! The moment Sage Vishwamitra starts walking in anger, Sage Vasishtachaarya sends a non-verbal communication to King Dasharata that Sage Vishwamitra is calling Bhagawan Rama for a very auspicious purpose and he should send the child immediately with Sage Vishwamitra! Immediately after this message comes from Sage Vasishtachaarya, King Dasharata stops the angry Sage Vishwamitra and he sends Bhagawan Rama along!
Now what has happened all of a sudden? King Dasharata’s “Guru Bhakti” towards Sage Vasishtachaarya is such that, if he even says a single word, King Dasharata will immediately execute it without fail! King Dasharata in fact replies thus, “Oh Sage Vasishtachaarya! It is not important whether something good is about to happen to my son or not! All that is important for me here is whether you’re saying that I should send him or not! If you say “yes”, I’m ready to send Rama immediately!” Now, the “Taamasa Dhaanam” has been converted into a “Saathvika Dhaanam” by Sage Vasishtachaarya at the right time, isn’t it? Here, we’ve to note that King Dasharata not only sent Bhagawan Rama, but also sent Lakshmana along with Sage Vishwamitra! With this, Sage Vishwamitra’s anger came down and he happily took the two kids along with him to the forest! Hence, the concept of “Saathvika Dhaanam” is beautifully brought out by Sage Valmiki in the Ramayana text, isn’t it?
So for today, let us understand the practical application and validation of whatever Bhagawan Krishna explains and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 