Sarga 71: Sarga 71

Hearing the words of Rama, the sagacious Lakshmana immediately sent for the dog who stood before Rama, and he, beholding it, said:—

“Come, communicate what you have to say without fear!”

Thereupon the dog, whose skull was gashed, said:—

“The king is the protector of animals and their lord! He is awake when others sleep; by administering the law, the king protects dharma; without his support, his people perish. The king is the lord, the king is the father of all the world! He is Kala [i.e. Time], He is Yuga [i.e., The World-cycle], He is the creation which comprises all animate and inanimate beings; He is dharma because He supports all, for it is dharma that sustains the worlds, by dharma the Three Worlds are upheld; it is dharma that restrains the wicked; it is for this he is called Dharana [i.e., The Supperter, Upholder]; dharma is greater than all and confers benefits after the death of the body; nought is superior to dharma in the world. O King, charity, compassion, reverence for the wise and absence of guile are the chief virtues that constitute dharma. They who follow dharma are happy in this life and in the next. O Raghava, O You of firm vows, you are the authority of authorities. You are well known for such conduct as is followed by the pious. You are an ocean of good qualities and the abode of righteousness. O Foremost of Kings, if in mine ignorance I have said many things to you, with bowed head I crave your forgiveness; be not angry with me.”

Hearing these words from the dog, that were full of wisdom, Rama said:—

“What shall I do for you, speak without fear!”

Then the dog answered:—

“O King, it is by dharma that a king rules, it is by dharma that a king protects his subjects and becomes a refuge, delivering men from fear. Bearing this in mind, O Rama, do you hear me. There is a brahmin named Sarvatha-siddha who lives on alms and who has all his desires satisfied. Through no fault of mine he has inflicted a wound on my head.”

Hearing these words, Rama sent forth a messenger who brought Sarvartha-siddha there, and he, beholding Rama in the assembly of those effulgent and leading Sages, said:—

“O Sinless King, for what purpose hast you sent for me?” Then the king answered, saying:—

“O Brahmin, you have injured this dog. What offence did it commit that you didst strike it severely with your staff? Anger is a mortal foe; anger is a sweet-spoken enemy in the garb of a friend; anger is the first of passions and like unto a sharp sword; anger bears away the essence of good; it carries away all that is acquired by asceticism; sacrifices, gifts and charity are all destroyed by anger, therefore it is proper to banish anger by every means. Passion runs wild on all sides like exceedingly wicked steeds. Satiated with all the objects of enjoyment, it is better to govern these appetites with patience. By mind, speech and sight, a man should engage himself in the well-being of others. He should give up aversion and injure no one. The harm that an uncontrolled mind can accomplish is beyond the range of a sharp sword or a serpent that has been trodden underfoot or a foe who has been provoked. Even the nature of one who has learnt humility cannot always be trusted; a study of the Scriptures does not alter the innate character of a man, he who conceals his nature, will reveal his true self at a given moment.”

Rama of imperishable exploits, having spoken thus, Sarvatha-siddha, the foremost of the Twice-born, said:—

“O King, wandering about the whole day in search of alms, I became angry and struck the dog. It was seated in the centre of a narrow street and I requested it to move away; thereupon moving with reluctance, it stood by the roadside. O Descendant of Raghu, at that time I was overcome with hunger and struck it for its perverse conduct. I am guilty, O King, do you punish me, O Lord of Monarchs, do you administer correction and I shall be released from the fear of hell.”

Then Rama enquired of all his ministers, saying:—

“What shall be done now? What punishment should be inflicted on him? By administrating justice in accord with the crime, our subjects are protected.”

Thereupon Bhrigu, Angiras, Kutsa, Vasishtha, Kashyapa and the other Rishis, ministers, leading merchants and Sages conversant with the Shastras, who were present there, said, “A brahmin is exempt from punishment,” and the Sages, conversant with the law, having spoken thus, those ascetics addressed Rama, saying:—

“O Raghava, a king is the ruler of all and you above all, for you are the Chastiser of the Three Worlds, the Eternal Vishnu.”

They, having spoken thus, the dog said:—

“You didst solemnly enquire ‘What shall I do for you?’ therefore if you are pleased with me and dost wish to bestow a favour on me, do you appoint this brahmin to be head of the holy assembly of the Kalanjava Monastery.”

Thereupon the king instantly sanctioned the appointment, and the brahmin, honoured and gratified, mounted on an elephant, proceeded to occupy his new and dignified status.

At this Rama’s counsellors were astonished and said:—

“O You of great effulgence, this brahmin has not been punished, rather hast you favoured him with a boon 1”

Hearing the words of the ministers, Rama said:—•“You do not know the secret of the matter, the dog knows it well!” Thereafter, questioned by Rama, the dog said:—

“O King, I was formerly the head of the assembly of Kalanjava and after worshipping the Gods, feeding the brahmins and feasting the servants, male and female, I used to take my food. I duly administered all things and my mind was untouched by sin. I protected the articles belonging to the tutelary Deities carefully, cultivated virtue, followed dharma and engaged in the welfare of all beings. In spite of this, I have fallen into this wretched state. O Raghava, this brahmin is given to anger and impious, he injures others and is harsh and cruel, he will dishonour seven generations of his race. He will by no means be able to discharge the duties of the head of an assembly.

“He who wishes to see his children, friends and beasts fall into hell, is made chief of the Gods, cows and brahmins! O Raghava, he perishes who deprives the brahmins, women or children of their legitimate possessions; one who misappropriates the offerings of the brahmins or the Gods, goes to the lowest hell.”

[Note: This story seems to imply that if a man is appointed to a position of authority and does not discharge his responsibilities faithfully, he is in grave danger in future incarnations.]

Hearing the words of the dog, the eyes of Rama opened wide in astonishment. Thereafter the dog departed from whence it had come.

In its former birth it had been high-minded but was born in a degraded state in that existence. Repairing to the holy City of Kashi, that dog, desiring to leave its body in a sacred spot, thereafter undertook a waterless fast.