[Assam] Should not the indigenous Assamese discard ‘RamNaam’ bought in by Bamoons and return to their ROOT beliefs? Would Mamoni Roysom Goswami known to be a scholar on the Ramayana agree with this writer?

[Bartta Bistar]

Rama, The Ruler of a Hindu Sharia State?

http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=171602

"Viewpoint"



Thursday September 20 2007 23:56:02 PM BDT



By Biplab Pal



India is now boiling over Rama-the mythical king of Ayodha who epitomized an
ideal Aryan king in the epic of Ramayana. Two honest officers of geological
survey of India (GSI) have been suspended on the ground of creating
'communal' tension! Their crime? These brave soldiers of science dared to
write in their affidavit that history is not based on mythology but solid
material evidence and so far there happened to have no proof for the
historical existence of Rama.

Shame on secularism of India where faith prevails over scientific facts and
flag bearers of scientific truths are prosecuted like Galileo. I am
thoroughly ashamed as an Indian.

What is this Ram Rajatwa ( Kingdom of Rama) concept that BJP and its
Hinduvta is floating? Read Ramayana and you will understand it is about a
theocratic state pretty much in the line of present Iranian theocratic
system of Governance where Mullahs are supreme Guardian of the society and
the state.

What is the basic message that emerges from Ramayana?

Ramayana was written with a clear objective-a folklore that would
demonstrate an ideal political system based on Hinduism. It contains the
best and the worst of Hinduism. In the political side, it would show the
duty of a King as a protector of Brahman supremacy and on the spiritual
side, it also exposes the mudsling of a person in the possession of extreme
wealth and knowledge through the character of Ravana indicating grungy
nature of human ego.

Let's have some example from Ramayana to understand Brahmanical political
motive hidden in it. From the very beginning to the end of the epic we would
observe, Khartriyo kings like Dasharath or Rama or Janak dedicated their
lives for Brahmins.

1) When sage Vishamitra came to Dasharath's court, Bashithya, the court
priest of Ayodha instructed Dashrasth to be in the service of Vishyamitra.
Dasharath, although was a king, will be seen in cleaning the feet of
Vishyamitra to show his obedience to a Brahmin. Not only that, when he
denied Vishamitra's request to turn over Rama to him for ensuing battle with
demon Marich, Vishamitra got angry and addressed Dasharath as unfaithful
King—unfaithful means non-loyal to Brahmin in the context.

2) When Rama was left under Vishamitra, it is interesting to note too many
number of slokas have been dedicated to eulogize Rama as a protector of
Brahmins from demons-who in reality was local Dravidian population driven
out by the invading Aryans.

3) The most interesting episode concerns related to Rama's marriage with
Sita when both the parties of Dashrath and Janak gathered for a formal
meeting to solemnize the marriage. Typically as per normal Hindu tradition,
Janak will beg to Dashrath to get his daughters married to Rama. No-Janak
said though he would like to do that, it is the duty of his priest to ask
the priest of Ayodha—that is sage Bashishthya to have permission first for
the marriage. This incident indicates that every decision making of King,
personal or public, must be scrutinized and approved by Brahmins.

4) Then comes the famous encounter of Rama with Parashuram. As soon as
Parashuram stormed into Sita's swangvar, he started sulking against all the
assembled Khatrias including Rama. Lakhman protested against his uncivilized
behavior while Rama apologized to Parashuram for Lakhsman's immaturity as
'Khatriya'. Parashuram challenged Rama for a duel while Rama declined it
stating, he as a Khatriya is a servant of Brahmin and he will not fight
against a Brahmin.

I can go on to produce a long list-above examples have been taken from only
a fragment of one episode (Ayodha Kanda). At every opportunity, composer of
Ramayan assured supreme position of the priest class over the matter of the
state by applauding Rama's obedient nature to the Brahmins—what a cunning
imposition of a theocratic state in the name of Rama!

In summery, character of Rama is basically a pawn to the galore display of a
Brahmanical state. So much so deep was this motto, I am not sure what Ram
would have done if a Brahmin would have asked for Sita from him! Wait-wait,
he indeed felt that pinch. Ravan was a Brahmin and before Rama kills him, he
assured rest of the world that he would be convicted for killing a Brahmin
like Ravana! So what even if he has attempted rape on his wife-after all he
is a Brahmin!

One may ask me why then the author of Ramayan made Ravana from noble Brahmin
birth? Again, one has to read Ramayan deeply to understand that politics.
Ravana was not only the richest person of the world at that time, what we
forget—he was also the most learned personality. His knowledge of Vedas, war
tactics and royal duties was unparallel—Rama instructed Lakhsman to learn
from Ravana while Ravana was laying in his death-bed. He indeed instructed
Lakhman to touch 'Brahman' Ravan's feet and beg for his knowledge! So what
even if he is abductor of his wife-after all he is a Brahmin abductor!

How could a non-Brahmin become the most learned on the earth? That's why
author of Ramayan gave him a noble Brahmin birth!

However the very Ramanyan also teaches that overt indulgence in material
pleasure will lead to downfall of a person and a state. This is somewhat
inline with aboriginal Dravidian thinking and against Vedic teachings which
proclaims nothing wrong in materialistic wealth. That's why most likely it
is a product of post Vedic era when Dravidian philosophy has been
assimilated among the Aryans. However it has no mention to Buddhism or
Jainism as some authors have claimed ( claim by Mr Sonakanti Barua that
32nd-33rd slokas of Ayodha kanda contain vile sentence against Buddha is not
correct-those two slokas were about how Ram served a Brahmin by giving
thousands of cows! )

Anyhow, divinity of Ram means nothing but an approval of theocratic state
like Iran. Ram Rajatwa means a Hindu sharia state and nothing else. I
request the readers to watch Ramayan in Youtube—it is fully available and
interesting to watch as well

Biplab Pal
E Mail : biplabpal2000 at yahoo.com
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