#harekrishnagoldentemple #hgmahavishnudasa #lordrama #ramayan
Why did Sri Rama kill Shambuka? Is it just because A Shudra did Tapas?
There is lot of misunderstanding about the episode of Shambuka. The critics come out strongly saying -
Shambuka was a Shudra. He was doing Tapas or penance. When Sri Rama asked him "who are you?", he was honest and spoke the truth that he was a Shudra. Sri Rama is God and so should be impartial to all people. Was it a sin for Shambuka to be a Shudra? Was it a sin that he was doing Tapas or penance? Why should Sri Rama kill Shambuka for the only reason that a Shudra is doing Tapas or penance? Is God such a racist? For doing Tapas or penance, God should have blessed him in fact. Far from it He punished him.
What is the explanation?
The answer is in Valmiki Ramayana itself and it is surprising that none of the critics made even a proper study and none of them noted the verses around that episode. Once a person studies that episode properly and reads entire Ramayana, it becomes pretty obvious how silly and childish the objection is. In brief, the verdict is that the reason for Sri Rama killing Shambuka is not that Shambuka did Tapas or penance. If I give an example, the case becomes pretty obvious. If a person says "One Policeman shot and killed Mr.X, who was wearing red shirt and making an attempt to kill an innocent child.", it is obvious that wearing the red shirt is only an identifier and the true reason for the Policeman killing Mr. X is that he was making an attempt to kill an innocent child. It is foolish to say that the reason for the Policeman killing Mr. X is that he was wearing the red shirt.
To give a little background, a Rakshasa or demon by name Janghaasura did penance to Parvati and obtained a boon of long life. Then he was born as Shambuka. He had an evil intent of obtaining the post of Shiva and make Parvati his wife. He sets out to do penance with the intent of achieving that. Because he did severe penance with that kind of senseless, preposterous, and sinful intention, an innocent boy died indicating that there is a serious effort to upset the universal dharma and the Lord Sri Hari sets up the stage to show to the world how the indication comes and how it will be handled. It is of paramount importance to note that Valmiki describes that in the kingdom of Sri Rama, there was not a single untimely death or widowhood. There were no diseases, no thefts and no unfortunate events. That being the case, when an innocent boy dies, the father came and reported to Sri Rama. Otherwise why should a citizen complain about the death of one person? The sage Narada reveals that the cause for the death of the innocent child is that one Shudra was doing penance with an evil intent that can harm the kingdom.
"karoti chASrimUlam tat purE vA durmatirnaraH...mArgasva viShayaM svakam .”
(If a person with an evil intent does such intense Tapas in a kingdom, misfortune would befall that kingdom...search for yourself the culprit.)
Sri Rama went in search and found one person doing penance upside down.
The moment that Shudra died, the innocent boy (who died) got back his life.
If Sri Rama had a feeling of contempt for Shudras, that should reflect in His life. Sri Rama had brotherly love towards Guha, a NiShada or tribal person, who is an outcast according to quite a few in present society. The Nishadas included hunters, fishermen, et al. Sri Rama was a close friend to the Rakshasa king VibhiShana. Some criticize that it was just a political strategy to conquer Ravana. Sri Rama had clearly stated that if Ravana confesses his mistake and returns Sita, He would even forgive Ravana and not bring any hurt to him. Sri Rama befriended monkeys and bears. It is meaningless to claim that He did so just because he needed their assistance to find Sita. If he was so selfish, he would have befriended Vali, who had Ravana under his grip carried him from one ocean to another like a toy. He could just like that bring back Sita or ask Ravana to hand over. Further he consumed the fruits that were partly eaten or tasted by the MAtanga strI Shabari. He performed final rites to the bird Jatayu. Sri Rama befriended not only Shudras, but also tribals, hunters, animals and birds. The narrow mindedness to suspect the generosity, gentleness and impartiality of Sri Rama can only be a product of immaturity, hatred and rashness. Such people don't even hesitate to feign to be messengers of love, when they fail to recognize the universal love of Sri Rama.