Rama Embodies Dharma
Q: Swami! Is it right on the part of Rama to kill Tataka, a woman?
Bhagavan: Rama embodies dharma [righteousness]. Along with Lakshmana, He went to the forest led by Vishvamitra only to destroy the demons. Defiling yajnas and yagas and killing great sages, these demons turned hermitages into cremation grounds. In fact, the very purpose of Vishvamitra’s request to Dasaratha, viz., sending Rama and Lakshmana to the forest, was the destruction of the demons. The sage, if he so desired, could have himself put an end to the demons. But, as he was under the vow of yajna, he was prohibited from resorting to violence. Moreover, the mission of the incarnation of Rama awaited fulfillment. Everything has to proceed according to the Master Plan. The actions of the demons were extremely cruel. In order to wipe out this pitch of cruelty and to protect dharma, the demons had to be destroyed. Tataka may be a woman. But, her actions were demonic, weren’t they? Therefore, killing Tataka was just, and fully in consonance with righteousness.
In this matter, whether the agents of wickedness are men or women is immaterial. What is crucial is the usefulness of their deeds. Because of his unrighteous conduct, Vali the king of the monkeys, though a male, was not spared, was he! Tara did advise Vali, “Lord! Sugriva was only a few days ago mortally wounded and he fled. How come he is now brave enough to challenge you? He has the support of Rama, don’t you know? Rama is, indeed, no ordinary man. Though you are very valiant, Rama is bent on assisting Sugriva and killing you because of your unrighteous deeds. Seek refuge at Rama’s feet!” Vali paid no heed to her words and fell a prey to Rama’s arrow. Thus, the primary criterion is restoration of dharma. Gender is irrelevant.
Q: Swami, Kaikeyi, so it goes, loved Rama more intensely than even Kaushalya, his own mother. How is it then that she could ask such a boon to be granted to her by King Dasaratha that resulted in Rama’s exile for 14 years? Was it not her mistake?
Bhagavan: Pleased with Kaikeyi’s services to him, Dasaratha had already granted two boons to Kaikeyi, of which you are aware. Dasaratha had told her that she could ask for the fulfillment of the boons according to her own wish at any point of time that she would like to choose. He did not himself specify the time. It only meant that she could ask for anything at any time. So, it is the mistake of Dasaratha to have given her a blank check like that, authorizing her to ask for anything at any time. On the other hand, had he asked her to let him know at the time of his conferring the boons what exactly she would do with them, we would have every reason to find fault with Kaikeyi for demanding such a treacherous thing. Now, it must have been very clear to you that you have to blame Dasaratha and not Kaikeyi for sending Rama to the forest.
Source: Satyopnisad, Vol. 2
