Balakandam 1

"BALA KHAANDAM" PART -1 OF SRIMAD RAMAYANAM DISCOURSES IN THE
HINDU TEMPLE OF ATLANTA.
(ANBIL RAMASWAMY)
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1. THE HOLY KINGDOM
River Sarayu runs through the Kosala Kingdom. All the poets vie with
each other in describing the prosperity of the Kosala Kingdom. Manu
who founded the city of AyOdhya as the Capital of the kingdom, made
it rich in wealth, flocks, fields and pastures what with well planned
royal roads running in geometrical shapes. The city was surrounded by
tall ramparts with deep moats that no enemy could cross without being
decimated justifying its name "AyOdhya"- that which cannot be won in
a war! The palatial mansions that stood high like skyscrapers were
sights for Gods to see. The city contained numerous well furnished
halls, pleasure grounds and natatoriums of breath taking dimensions.
The trees lining the landscape were in full bloom scattering flowers
spread like soft floor-mats all over the ground. The stables had
innumerable Equestrian high breeds, while the sheds for Elephants had
tall and majestic caparisoned pachyderms. The tall and healthy Cows,
Sheep and Oxen were aplenty vouching for the extraordinary
agricultural prosperity. There were artists and artisans of every hue
who excelled in their talents, be it in music, dance or other fine
arts.

2. THE CITIZENS
Valmiki describes the citizens in glowing terms.
tasmin puravarE hrishTaa: dharma aatmanO bahu srutaa: /
naraas tushTaa: tatai: svai: svai: alubdhaa: sathya vaadina: //
sarvE naraas cha naaryaas cha dharma seelaa: su-samyataa: /
uditaa seela vrittaabhyaam maha rishaya iva amalaa; //

In that kingdom, all citizens were happy and contented because
whatever it takes to make life enjoyable on Dharmic lines were
available aplenty in wealth, health or possessions like cows, horses,
grains, family and friends. They followed strict codes of conduct,
without avarice and jealousy, always truthful and considerate to all
those who came into contact with them. People belonging to all the
four castes lived in complete amity, each group following their Varna-
Aasrama Dharmas with zeal and honesty. Householders led blemish-less
lives as if they were ascetics, having given up all unethical
pleasures and practices.

While Valmiki devotes just one Sargam for describing the city and the
citizens, Kamban devotes 3 PaTalams, namely Aatrup PaDalam (Sarayu
River), NaaTTUp PaDalam (KOsala kingdom) and Nagarap PaDalam. (City
of AyOdhya)

Let us enjoy a few snippets from Kamban.
1. Aatrup PaDalam (Sarayu River)
mullaiyai kurinji aakki marudattai mullai aakki,
pulliya neithal tannaip poru aru marudam aakki,
ellai il porulgaL ellaam idai taDumaarum neeraal
selluru gatiyil sellum vinai ena senradu anrE (29)

"The floods of River Sarayu made the land fertile so as to convert
one kind of land into another kind. This looked like the result of
Spiritual merit (PuNyam) and Sins (Paapam) that made individual souls
to take different births like the celestials, human, flora and fauna"

2. NaaTTUp PaDalam (KOsala kingdom)
While Valmiki spoke high of the qualities of the citizens of kOsala.
Kamban reverses the picture negating all these qualities in a clever
and inimitable way, a way that only reiterates and reinforces what
Valmiki has mentioned.

vaNmai illai Ore varumai inmaiyaal, thiNmai illai nEr serunar
inmaiyaal
uNmai illai poyyurai ilaamaiyaal, veNmai illai pala kELvi mEvalaal
(85)
- In kOsala kingdom, there were no "givers" because everyone
was so rich and self-sufficient that there were no "takers". So,
there was no question of "daanam".
- There were none itching for fight and therefore, there was
no occasion for exhibiting one's valor;
- Jealousy, anger and enmity the root causes of conflicts were
absent, So, there were no quarrels, no disputes, no winners and no
losers.
- When everyone without exception was equally educated one
cannot discern anyone being uneducated. So, Kambar says, there was no
education at all!
- When everyone was truthful, how could one differentiate
anyone as a liar? Therefore, says Kamban, that there was no
discernible truthfulness! "

3. Nagarap PaDalam. (City of AyOdhya)
kaLvaar ilaamaip poruL kaavalum illai yaadum,
koLvaar ilaamaik koDuppaargaLum illai maadO (106)
kalladu nirpaar pirar inmaiyin kalvi mutra vallarum illai avai
vallaar allaarum illai
ellaarum ellaa perum selvamum eidalaalE illarum illai uDaiyaargaLum
illai maadO (107)

In AyOdhya, people never locked their doors because there were no
thieves; there was no need for Police or prison houses because there
was no crime; there were none unemployed and therefore no loafers.
Everyone had everything they needed. So, there was no distinction
between the "haves" and "have-nots".

3. WHY VEDA VIDS ARE ALWAYS POOR?
"PRASANGA RATNAAVALI" gives an interesting imaginary conversation
between the Poet and Mahaalakshmi. about the "have-nots"

The poet asks Mahaalakshmi: Why are you favoring fools with fortune
and why do you keep the learned languishing in penury?
Mahaalakshmi: It is not so. The wise can go anywhere and earn their
livelihood but the unlettered cannot do so. I am only helping the
helpless.
Poet: But, I find that those who are well versed in Vedas and
Saastras are struggling.
Mahaalakshmi: True. Have you heard of Sage Agastya? He drank the
entire ocean. Thus, he hurt my father, Samudra Raja. Again, Sage
Brigu hurt my husband on his chest where I reside. I was looking out
for a place to rest and found the lotus tank. The Bhaktas would not
leave me in peace even there. They came to pluck Lotus flowers saying
that it was best for their pooja to the Lord. Thus, wherever I went,
they are after me. Naturally, I ignore them when distributing wealth.
Poet: How else could they secure your grace?
Mahaalakshmi: When guests arrive at one's home, he is verily
MahaavishNu himself.
(Is it not said: "athithi dEvO bhava"? I bless those who welcome and
treat guests properly and stay at their homes.

4. THE EMPEROR
This ideal Kingdom was ruled by an ideal King, in fact, a "King of
Kings", a "Chakravarti" (Emperor) whose writ ran through all the
seven worlds. He was verily a "nall ara moorthi" as Kamban describes
and "Dharmaraaja" as Valmiki calls him. That was his original name.
Because, he could ride his chariots in all the ten directions, he
subsequently acquired the sobriquet of "Dasa-ratha" . He is the one
who gave birth to the hero of this great epic, Sri Rama.

ammaaN nagarukku arasan arasarkku arasan,
semmaaN tanikkOl ulagu yEzhinum sella ninraan
im maaN kataikku Ore Irai aaya iraaman ennum
moymmaaN kazhalOn taru "nall Ara moorthi" annaan (Kambar- Bala-169)

Sri Rama advises his mother against her wish to accompany him to the
forest that when the Emperor whom he refers as "Dharmaraaja" was
alive, she as a dutiful wife should not leave him alone and come with
him (vide- AyOdhya 21)

tasmin punar jeevati "dharmaraajE svE pathi vartamaanE/
dEvee mayaa saardham itO apagchchEt kathmsvid anyaa vidavE naree//

Dasaratha was renowned throughout the world. He was a terror to foes
and joy to friends and subjects. He was conversant with all arts and
sciences. He was known for his great munificence. And, more than
anything else, he was famous for the numerous Yagjnas and Yaagas
(Sacrifices) that he performed almost non-stop.

4A. LIKE DUSHYANTA:
KaaLidaasa in his Saakuntalam says that Dushyanta offered to serve as
the relative whom anyone had lost and thus dispel their sorrow. But,
he made one exception.

You know what? He would not act as husband to a widow which would be
sinful!

Dasaratha was like Dushyanta in this respect.
yEna yEna viyujyantE prajaa: snigdEna bandhunaa/
sa sa paapaadrutE taasaam dushyanta iti gushyataam //

5. THE MINISTERS:
He had eight Ministers and two Chief priests besides a host of
advisors. The very names of the ministers are indicative of what they
excel in. They were:
1. DrishTi: Far sighted
2. Jayanta: Winner
3. Vijayan: Victorious
4. Siddhaarthah: Accomplisher
5. Artha Saadakah: One who has all his desires fulfilled
6. AsOkah: One bereft of any sorrows
7. Mantrapaalah: Protector of secrets of the State
8. Sumantra: One who could advise correctly and on time
Each one was qualified also in the other aspects than what is
suggested by their names.

The Chief "PurOhitas" (Priests) were VasishTa and VaamadEva while
there were other Achaaryas like Jaabaali and Kaasyapa who were well
versed in statecraft as much in the Sruti, Smriti and the various
Saastras and with impeccable character. All of them had one thing in
common. All of them were intensely devoted to the welfare of the King
and the subjects, were uncompromising guardians of righteousness and
faithful companions of the King guiding him in good governance and in
carrying out the Sacrifices strictly as per the scriptures. They were
truly tactful, intelligent, efficient and admirable in fortitude.

6. DASARATHA'S GRIEF
Though the King had all these in ample measure, had ruled for over
the kingdom for over 10,000 years and had innumerable wives besides
the three queens in Kousalya, Sumitra and KaikEyi - he had one, just
one deficiency - He was not blessed with a son to succeed him in
ruling the country. This was weighing heavily on his mind for quite
so long that he reached a stage when he had lost almost all hopes of
begetting a son. He invited his advisers to deliberate on the means
to solve this problem. They advised him to perform "AswamEda Yaagam"
(Horse Sacrifice) that was considered to be a panacea for removing
all sins and in securing all desires. Immediately, the King ordered
for the preparation for performing the Sacrifice.

6A. ROMAPADA'S STRATEGY
The question arose as to who should be the officiating priest to
perform the sacrifice. No doubt, VasishTa, the family priest was very
much available. But, when Sumantra, who was a constant companion of
the King both as a Minister and as his Charioteer and had, therefore,
very many occasions to move confidentially with the King narrated the
event that he had heard earlier from Sage Sanatkumara, how King
ROmapaada of AngadEsa brought Sage Rishyasringa (Son of VibaanDaka),
to his Kingdom and consequently copious rains lashed AngadEsa that
was writhing in drought for long and that he may be the best
qualified for officiating as priest for this great Sacrifice. All
including VasishTa agreed unanimously.