LITERATURE , FILMS , MUSIC: Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan (12) - Sita Swayamvar (Part 2) : Visit of Parashuraam

Yes, Dear Friends, today we will see the part where the great sage Parashuraam enters the Swayamvar hall.

Last day we ended when Mata Sita Garlanded Shri Ram after He broke the Shiv dhanush. It is just then, Sage Parashuram entered the Swaymavar hall in great anguish. Seeing his usual angry self, all the kings became afraid. Raja Janak, Sage Shataanand, Mata Sita and Sage Vishwamitra pay their respects to Parashuram, along with Shri Ram and Lakshman. Shri Ram tries to speak politely and introduces Himself as a 'servant' of the great Parashuram. But he (Parashuram) does not pay much attention to this as he is very angry and asks the name of the person who has broken the famous Shiv dhanush. He says after suddenly knowing about the breaking of Shivdhanush, he left his ‘tapasya’ in Mahendra Parvat and came to visit Janak's court to know about the culprit.

Shri Ram tries to tell him that if anyone can break the Shivadhanush, he must be a servant of the Great Parashuram!

Now Lakshmanji also comes in front and tries to calm down the anger of Parashuraam by bringing humuor in his approach. He says that they have broken many bows in their childhood and never got punished for that, but now what is the reason for the great sage Parashuraam to get depressed in this particular incident! Their arguments become more and more tense... Parashuram threatens to kill Lakshman saying that he has already killed many kshatriyas before. On this, Lakshman also tries to rebuke him by referring to many other deeds done by Parashuraam in the past.

Seeing that the situation is going out of control, Shri Ram tells Lakshman to control himself. King Janak tells Parshuraam to renounce his anger on Lakshman as he is only a child. A child's mischievous nature amuses the parents, they don't make them angry (such a sweet sentence and delivered in a polite way by Raja Janak!!! ).

Now Shri Ram comes in the picture. He tells Parshuram that he is the person who has done the misdeed of breaking the Shivadhanush. Parashuram is astonished to notice the opposite nature (/ approach) of the two brothers, (as one is teasing him and another is humble in His approach :) ). He says that merely the name 'Raam' is not enough and challenges Shri Ram for a fight. Shri Ram says as a kshtriya he will fight but kshatriyas do not fight with a Brahmin. And moreover he (Parashuraam) is the Lord of Shri Ram, so there can't be any fight between them. Shri Ram also says that till now Parashuraam is not aware of his 'Real Self' ( /i.e.- 'divinity'), but He (Shri Ram) is already aware of it. And it is here that He says - ‘Mera to chhota sa naam hai, Raam'- (so sweet and humble words from the Lord)!!! He also says that with Parashuraam, His (Shri Ram’s) defeat will also be considered to be a win :) . Now we have a doha from RCM-

"Suni mrudu goodh vachan Raghupati ke, ughade patal Parashudhar mati ke."

And Parashuraam somewhat understands who Shri Ram is, as he sees 'Chturbhuj Vishnu roop' in Shri Ram. He (Parashuraam) gives his own bow to Shri Ram and asks him to string it, so that he can be sure of the identity of Shri Ram. Now comes another line from RCM-

"Ram Ramaapati, kar dhanu leu, khenchahu chaap mite sandehu, khenchahu chaap, mite sandehu."

As Shri Ram strings the bow, Parashuraam's realisation is complete!!! He recognises The Lord in Him!!! Now Shri Ram asks Parashuraam about the Aim of that arrow. Parashuraam requests him to destroy all his good deeds, so that his pride, which caused him so much arrogance, will also die. He will be free again. Shri Ram does that.

Now Parashuram prays for the victory of Shri Ram, bows down to Shri Ram and He blesses him. The Sage takes leave from the Swayamvar hall.

After the scene, Ramanand Saagarji explains to us about the great sage Parashuraam, who destroyed kshatriyas form earth, 21 times. After that he gave all the land to his teacher, who told him to leave the land and stay somewhere else. So he used to stay on Mahendra parvat.

Along with his great valour. Parashuraam has also attained many merits through ‘tapas’, and thus, in spite of being an ansh avtar of Shri Hari, he became proud of all his merits. This pride was the evil in him, which prevented him from seeing the greatness in others. So he took so much time to recognize Shri Ram!

Pride and anger together makes a man excited and thus he loses his strength. Lakshman took this approach to control the anger of Parashuraam. So, in our life also, we should remember not to get excited or angry in any critical situation. Only staying calm will lead us to the proper way, (i.e.- to victory).

Another point to note in the swayamvar sequence is the Restraint shown in the character of Shri Ram! In spite of having the ability to break the Shiva Dhanush and knowing fully well the love of Mata Sita for Him, He waited patiently for his teacher (Vishwamitra’s) permission to do so. We need such restraint in today’s world also, which helps us to keep proper order and rules in the society.

This is indeed a great scene. The pride of Parashuraam and its destruction is shown. Lakshman's nature, his spontaneous defense of Shri Ram (as we have seen in the Swayamvar scene also), his approach to pacify the anger of Parashuram, which comes in contrast with King Janak's calm approach. And most importantly, Shri Ram's Greatness, Humility, and Lordship can be seen here.

Watch it here-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94y_2FMm41g

(from 10 minute till the end of the video)

Here is the dialogue of the whole scene starting from Lakshman's angry reaction to Raja Janak's words, continuing with Shri Ram's Dhanurbhang and Parashuraam's visit, posted by Shivang-
(last post of the first link and then continued in the next link)

http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#CommMsgs?cmm=19451816&tid=5349282287217742415&na=1&npn=1&nid=

http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#CommMsgs?cmm=19451816&tid=5349282287217742415&na=3&npn=2&nid=19451816-5349282287217742415-5349962494073311823

References-

Valmiki Ramayan-

Parashuram’s arrival-

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga74/bala_74_frame.htm

Legend of the bow of Mahadev and the bow of Vishnu

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga75/bala_75_frame.htm

Parashuraam's pride gets hurt

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga76/bala_76_frame.htm

Shri Ramcharitmanas-

Entry of Parashuraam-

http://www.hindi.webdunia.com/religion/religion/hindu/ramcharitmanas/BalKand/51.htm

Shri Ram and Lakshman’s Interaction with Sage Parashuraam-

http://www.hindi.webdunia.com/religion/religion/hindu/ramcharitmanas/BalKand/52.htm