Tenth Avatar: A quest for answers

by Kanchan Joshi

  “You know all about bravery, don’t you Ram? Especially when you killed King Vali from hiding!”

  Ram answered, “Yes, and don’t forget, I killed King Vali. The same king who pinned you down in his armpit, Great King!” Ram readied his weapon. “It is your turn today! Consider this punishment for abducting an innocent woman and spreading your wrongful ways.”

  The two warriors attacked each other with all their might.

  Ram sent a barrage of arrows, but every single one was precisely blocked by Ravan. Ravan’s attacks were skillfully dealt with by Ram’s charioteer and his lightning fast reflexes. The fight went on until mid-day. The sun was now moving to the western horizon.

  “I have bad news and worse news for you!” Ram taunted Ravan. “Your generals are killed, and your flanks are unguarded. That’s the bad news. And the worse news is, Lakshman is out of danger! He will survive and assist me in your death!”

  “My spies informed me a long time ago. As such, I am more than enough for both of you!” Ravan shouted to his captains, “Go now! Take over the flanks and hold your position. Go!” Ravan threw his huge mace and javelin with great force, damaging Ram’s chariot and killing some of his horses.

  The charioteer assured Ram, “Don’t worry, this chariot allows me to release the dead horses quickly.” He skillfully created an opportunity for Ram to strike swiftly.

  Ram shot an arrow straight at Ravan’s head. The helmet sustained a mighty crack, but before Ram could shoot at Ravan’s bare head, he had replaced the helmet with another he kept ready in this chariot. Ram was amazed by how quickly Ravan had been able to retrieve this new helmet.

  Ravan launched a counter attack, sending multiple arrows that injured Ram in several places all over his upper body. “Here comes your death and my wedding gift to your wife!” Ravan’s arrow whizzed passed Ram’s head, injuring his neck.

  Ram’s charioteer created another opportunity for him. Ram hit Ravan’s head, only to see him replace his helmet almost instantly.

  Ram clenched his bow. His head is well protected. His chest plate has multiple layers of steel, and is impossible to break. How do I get him? he wondered. Then, he had an idea. Ram ordered his charioteer, “Get me closer to him, so I can penetrate his helmet and get his skull.”

  Ram shot another arrow at Ravan’s head from close range.

  Ravan attacked in retaliation with his javelin. “Even if you stand next to me, you will not be able to penetrate this helmet!”

  Ravan’s attack had injured Ram’s thigh this time, and he was bleeding profusely. Given his other wounds, be was beginning to lose blood, and strength, quickly. Ram saw a horseman approaching fast from his left flank. The horseman had broken through the Vanara ranks.

  “He appears to be friendly,” the charioteer noticed. “He is from the ashram!” The horseman got Ram’s attention, then disappeared into the fighting hoards.

  Ram said with relief, “Oh! He has come to remind me of the arrow he gave me this morning. The small radiation device should melt Ravan’s chest plate!”

  The charioteer said, “But, the sheer size of his chariot makes his chest area difficult to target.”

  “Let me get him out of his chariot then.” Ram applied pressure to the wound on this thigh in an attempt to slow the bleeding. He felt better, drank a sip of water from the leather bag in the chariot, and tested putting a little weight on the leg. Once steady, Ram was able to fire several enflamed arrows at the wheels of Ravan’s chariot.

  “Finish him!” Ravan yelled to his charioteer, knowing that Ram was growing weaker due to his numerous injuries. As Ravan maneuvered his chariot to the right, he exposed two wheels completely.

  Ram’s charioteer shouted with excitement, “There! Get the wheels! He is coming to your right!”

  Ram promptly dispatched a slew of fiery arrows upon both wheels. The wooden spokes caught fire and buckled, nearly throwing Ravan from his chariot.

  Ram’s charioteer cheered, “Get him!”

  Ram loaded the radiation arrow and aimed it directly at Ravan’s chest. Ram let out a sharp breath. He said to his charioteer, “Now that Ravan is in my strike zone, I realize I cannot break the rules myself and taint my victory with deceit forever! In the heat of battle, I did not think of it before. I am in a chariot, and he is on the ground. I will not shoot. I will not break the rules of warfare!”

  Ram’s charioteer shook his head in disagreement. In the moment of Ram’s hesitation, one of Ravan’s captains took the opportunity to insert his own chariot in between the two leaders.

  Ravan immediately pushed his captain off and took over the chariot. This was a much smaller chariot than his own. Ravan took a deep breath, and declared, “I can’t wait any longer. It is time to launch the Universe Missile and destroy everything!”

  Ravan reached for his quiver to retrieve the arrow that would signal the launch of the Universe Missile. Traditionally, the arrow was kept way in the back of the quiver to make sure that it was not used by mistake. His right hand was raised to reach deep into the quiver. His left hand, holding the bow, was naturally bent down to provide extra depth for the right hand. This exposed his chest completely. The small chariot did not offer any protection.

  Ram was prepared for this opportunity. Ram’s special radiation arrow crashed into Ravan’s chest plate. It generated intense heat upon impact, softening the armor.

  Ram was ready with a broad-head arrow for greater penetrating force. He balanced his body properly on both legs, enduring the pain in his thigh. He stretched the string until the bow almost buckled, and locked his mind onto his target. His breath was steady and balanced. He shot the venomous arrow. It entered precisely where the armor was softened, penetrated the chest plate, broke Ravan’s rib cage, and lodged itself in his heart, poisoning his blood stream instantly. Ravan fell to the ground in a heap of melted metal and blood.

  Ram stepped down from his chariot and approached Ravan with a steady, although painful, gait and a calm gaze.

  All the soldiers stepped aside to allow his passage. The will for the Rakshas to fight lay dying with their king.

  Ravan was bleeding profusely. Due to a lack of oxygenated blood, his lips were becoming blue, his face pale. His pulse grew weaker with each passing moment.

  Some Rakshas soldiers gathered around their king, wanting to take him away. Ravan gestured, ‘no’ and pointed to Ram.

  Ram advanced and stood close to Ravan.

  Ravan tried to smile, then mumbled, “The mistake of abducting your wife was made due to bad habits, and karma, accumulated over the years. After that, I was overtaken by events and could not turn back. It was better to die fighting than to live defeated!”

  Ram shook his head as he understood Ravan’s viewpoint.

  Ravan continued in a very feeble voice and pointed to Ram. Ravan’s eyes started rolling back into his skull. All the victories, carnal pleasures, fine food, power, and wealth he had earned seemed to hold him down rather than making him feel satisfied, free, and ready to die. His heart was trying its hardest to keep beating and keep him alive. His face displayed the anguish of his mind—a mind that wanted to live and enjoy more pleasure, while his body could not, would not, sustain any longer. The mighty Ravan had only a few beats left before his heart would stop anyway, no matter what his mind desired.

  The memories of all the lives he had taken to satisfy his ego rattled him. He could feel the spirits of his brother, son, and parents waiting for him. He could feel his own spirit preparing to leave his dying body. Ravan was perplexed as he wondered, Am I the body or the spirit?

  At that moment, Ram got down on his knees and gently touched Ravan between the eyebrows with his fingers. The anguish suddenly evaporated from Ravan’s face. Ram pressed on the top of Ravan’s head.

  Ravan was immediately reminded of his vast nature—the one not limited by his dying body. Ram had activated the yogi within him—the intelligent soul who lay buried under the filth of his own mind. Ravan died a truth-realiz
ed yogi.

  Hanuman watched all this intently. He touched Ram’s feet and said, “For the Great Ravan, this immense war was all worth it, as he received a privileged death in your presence. You help even your sworn enemies realize their true nature. Your compassion is unparalleled.”

  The Vanara, in unison, let out a loud cry, “Jai Shree Ram!”

  The war was finally over, and the sun was preparing to set. The scene along the western horizon looked beautiful; the splendid evening was filled with clouds of various colors—orange, light pink, white, gray, and shades of purple.

  Hanuman dropped his weapon and absorbed the serenity of the landscape. He thought, Plain, colorless water vapors in the form of clouds, when powered by the mighty sun behind them, appear so vivid and beautiful. But, once the sun is gone, the clouds lose their beauty, their color, and turn back into their true, simple form. Similarly, the body shines in all its splendor until the life force that powers it is gone. Then, the body is simply earth and water. The trick is to realize and experience that I am not the body. I am the force that powers the body! Hanuman concluded in his peaceful reflection.

  Chapter 15

  The Ruler Who Listens

  ~~~~~~~

  Ancient India

  ~~~~~~~

  People rule over the king.

  The day following Ravan’s death, back in the Vanara camp, Lakshman came running to his brother with excitement and relief. “Brother Ram, Devi Sita is here! Thanks to Lord Mahadev, she is all right. She is accompanied by some ladies from the Lankan royal family, favorable to us.”

  Ram glanced at Lakshman. Ram was seated on a huge stone at the beach, accompanied by the generals, King Sugriv, and Hanuman. Ram looked as steady as ever. Without showing any emotion, he said dispassionately, “Good. I am glad Yogi Sita is safe.”

  “Did he say Yogi?” Sugriv whispered to his general. The general nodded.

  Ram got up from his seat, and said in an un-characteristically commanding voice, “Lakshman, please request Lady Sita to walk through fire to prove her chastity of thought and action.”

  Ram’s command shocked everyone. Sugriv looked away nervously, shaking his head. Hanuman, who had met Sita and knew how much Ram loved her, could not believe what he was saying. Hanuman watched Ram with raised eyebrows.

  The volatile brother Lakshman felt a surge of anger and warm blood gush through his entire body. He then realized that his anger was directed at his dearest brother. He was dumbfounded. He could not control his emotions and started sobbing.

  “I understand your intentions,” Lakshman said in a hoarse voice. “This action must be to settle doubts about Lady Sita’s character in the minds of the population. I get it. But, how is this fair to her? The lady was abducted and forced to live in someone else’s home. She didn’t go there by choice. I feel ashamed even talking about such things. I thought you were a just king.”

  Ram looked at his brother with a steady gaze.

  Lakshman added angrily, “Lady Sita is the one who deserves the title of Vishnu, the Savior, not you!” Lakshman spoke what everyone in the assembly was thinking. After venting, Lakshman was able to calm himself and accept the inevitable. He realized that his brother must have come to this decision with great difficulty and pain. He must be heavy with a lonely heart. Despite his feelings, he went and hugged Ram.

  Lady Sita was informed of Ram’s order. After the initial surprise, she brought herself back to calm and smiled gently. “My husband has showed great love and respect for me by waging this great war and destroying Ravan, who dishonored me. I am the one and only woman in Ram’s life, and he is, and always will be, the only man in my life. He knows this well. But, nobody is above the law, especially not the ruler! And the population follows the actions, not the words, of their ruler! Lakshman, please make necessary arrangements.”

  Lakshman and his soldiers arranged several rocks to create a five-foot-long square structure with openings on two opposite sides for entry and exit. They cut many trees and arranged them around the stones. They covered the floor of the square box with tree branches. Teary eyed, Lakshman set the cut trees on fire. Dark smoke and huge flames rose high into the sky. All the Vanara warriors were sickened by this merciless test.

  Lady Sita appeared tiny standing in front of the huge flames.

  “She will be eaten alive by these flames in no time,” whispered a Vanara.

  “I would never subject my wife to such a humiliating death,” argued another.

  “Shree Ram is truly the greatest leader ever to undertake such a severe task for his own dear wife,” a third commented.

  “Victory to Lady Sita! Victory to Shree Ram!” the onlookers shouted out of genuine love and respect for their leader.

  Sita was calm. She sat near the fire. She closed her eyes and performed several yogic postures and breathing practices. She reached a state where she felt one with the fire. In a trance-like state, she slowly stepped into the fire.

  The Vanara cringed at the thought of the flames burning the delicate skin of the princess who was brought up in royal comfort.

  Sita, however, walked through the fire effortlessly. The smell of her slightly burned clothes brought her out of her trance, but she was otherwise unharmed.

  The entire Lankan and Vanara army witnessed the Test by Fire in awe.

  “If Lady Sita was not of pure thought or action, she would not be able to experience this union with fire and would have been burned alive!” Everyone present was shaken by the seemingly gentle, but powerful, energy of the lady.

  “Victory to Lady Sita! Long live Lady Sita.” They shouted. The entire army got down on one knee and bowed their heads in respect to the awesome power of Lady Sita.

  Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, and other important members of the army travelled back to Ram’s kingdom of Ayodhya. Ram was a popular prince when he was exiled more than a decade ago, but now, after his heroics and defeating the demons, he was a living legend.

  In the capital of Ayodhya, at the harvest festival to celebrate recent good yields from crops, a wealthy trader said to the revenue minister, “King Ram brings new possibilities with him. The entire southern part of the country, which was hostile to us, is now friendly. And beyond that, now we have a friendly port in Lanka. Our ships can trade across the southern ocean to a new world! There is no limit to how much we can expand our business!”

  An army general standing nearby said, “The threat of the Rakshas, who made southward expansion impossible, has been permanently eliminated! And with Ram’s valor, nobody will dare threaten Ayodhya from east or west, so our borders are safe too!”

  The Prime Minister said, “Another important factor is the king himself. Ram’s brother was taking care and keeping the kingdom safe, but his heart was not in ruling. He felt guilty that he was the reason Ram was exiled. The grand vision, quick decision making, vigor, and energy were absent due to conflicted leadership. Now everything will be smooth and fast!”

  A local farmer served freshly made alcoholic drinks to everyone. “The common man has not seen any increase in income for fifteen years now! There is plenty of water and fertile lands in the south. Our kids will have new frontiers to explore! Ram has instilled great vigor, optimism, and energy throughout the population!”

  The farmer’s wife joined in the exuberant toast. “We are all planning a grand welcome for King Ram and Queen Sita. The entire city will be decked with flowers, all the houses have been freshly painted, and decorative wooden sticks have been installed. Plenty of food, meat, and drinks will flow limitlessly. Music, dance, and festivities will go on for weeks!”

  Her young daughter could not stop giggling. “I have heard Ram is so handsome and strong! I can’t wait to see him! He went all the way to Lanka and fought a war to save his wife. I wish I could find a husband like him!” Everybody had a hearty laugh!

  Ram was coronated as the king and ushered his kingdom into prosperity like it had never seen before. His kingdom served as an economic engine drivin
g the development of the rest of the country. So many economic and business opportunities were created that it would take several generations to fully realize their potential.

  A few years had passed, and the economic boom was in full swing. Everyone was making money as if there was no tomorrow. There were no poor, hungry, homeless, or untreated sick persons left in Ayodhya. Signs of opulence such as huge houses, elephants, chariots, expensive jewelry, and proliferation of the arts were seen everywhere.

  Ram enjoyed his time with his loving wife and soon she was pregnant with their first child. Ram ruled his kingdom exactly as prescribed by the scriptures and surpassed the lofty standards of governance set by other kings of his famous clan. One important part of governance was maintaining a feel for the pulse of the nation. This was accomplished through spy networks. Spies would constantly feed information about what the general public was thinking directly to the king, bypassing the ministers and bureaucrats. Recently, King Ram had received feedback that was troubling. Winds of change were blowing through his kingdom.

  At one such meeting, the chief spy said, “Great King Ram, people are prosperous and can’t stop singing your praises, but they have become very indulgent. Here are some reports for you directly from the spies who saw it. ‘Consumption of meat, alcohol, hallucinogens, and the business of prostitution are at an all-time high. Most people are drunk and spend all day enjoying song and dance. Making money is so easy that people are becoming lazy. Nobody wants to study the scripture for wisdom. Nobody performs meditation, self-introspection, or pursues higher goals in life.’ And this is not the worst part!”

  Ram was surprised to hear about this turn of events. “What do you mean this is not the worst part? The news you are providing me is very bad. It is as if my kingdom is strong from the outside, but hollow and weak from the inside!”

  The spy chief said, “Forgive me, my king, but you have not heard the worst yet.”