{"id":45670,"date":"2026-03-29T22:32:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T18:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/?p=45670"},"modified":"2026-03-29T22:32:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T18:32:13","slug":"the-enchanting-rama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/the-enchanting-rama\/","title":{"rendered":"The Enchanting Rama"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tree of Knowledge<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

By Niranjana Karthigairajan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The name ‘Rama’ means “one who bestows happiness.” True to this meaning, Sage Vashistha named Him Rama because His very presence brought boundless joy to everyone who beheld Him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dasharatha\u2019s Beloved Child<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

To King Dasharatha, Rama was not merely the Almighty; He was a cherished son. When Sage Vishwamitra arrived at the court and requested Rama\u2019s help to protect his sacrificial ritual (Yagna<\/em>) from demons, Dasharatha replied hesitantly:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u016bna\u1e63o\u1e0da\u015bavar\u1e63o me r\u0101mo r\u0101j\u012bvalocana\u1e25 |<\/em> na yuddhayogyat\u0101m asya pa\u015by\u0101mi saha <\/em>r\u0101k\u1e63asai\u1e25 || (1-20-2)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

This translates to:<\/span><\/p>\n

“My Rama is but a young boy, not even sixteen years of age. I do not see him as fit to engage in battle with demons.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Dasharatha further describes Rama as ‘Raajeevalocanaha’<\/em> — the one with lotus-like eyes. Just as a lotus closes its petals when the sun sets, Rama was accustomed to sleeping early. Since demons are night-stalkers who fight in the darkness, Dasharatha argued that his tender son would be of no use in such a gruelling conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Beauty that Moved Vishwamitra<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Despite knowing Rama\u2019s true divine prowess, even the great Sage Vishwamitra succumbed to His charm. While leading Rama and Lakshmana through the forest, they encountered the ogress Tataka. Sage Vishwamitra — who had earlier testified to Dasharatha about Rama\u2019s supremacy — suddenly felt a surge of protective instinct and uttered:<\/span><\/p>\n

svasti r\u0101ghavayor astu jaya\u1e43 caiv\u0101bhyabh\u0101\u1e63ata || (1-26-14)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Here, ‘Svasti’<\/em> means auspiciousness or well-being. The very Sage who insisted to Dasharatha that “nothing can harm the Supreme Lord” was now so moved by Rama\u2019s grace and beauty that he began to pray for Rama\u2019s safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blessing the Eternal<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When Jatayu was breathing his last — his wings clipped by Ravana while trying to rescue Sita — he encountered Rama and Lakshmana in the forest. Even during his final moments of agony, Jatayu forgot his own pain as he was engrossed in the sight of Rama. He addressed Rama as:<\/span><\/p>\n

y\u0101m o\u1e63adhim iv\u0101yu\u1e63man anve\u1e63asi <\/em>mah\u0101vane | (3.67.15)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The word ‘Ayushman’<\/em> means “May you live a long life.” It is a profound paradox: a mortal bird wishing a long life to the eternal Supreme Being. Such was the effect of Rama\u2019s enchanting beauty; it evoked a natural desire in everyone to protect Him.<\/span><\/p>\n

If we look at Rama through the lens of mere knowledge (Gnana<\/em>), He appears only as the Supreme (Paramatma<\/em>). However, when we view Him through knowledge infused with love and devotion (Bhakti<\/em>), we realize He is the Enchanting One who captivates the hearts of all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 27 March 2026<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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