On Vijayadashami: The fight for justice and truth

As Navaratri ends, and Ram readies for the final battle, where Ravan is defeated and Sita comes home...a summary of how the days unfold before the final battle in Nirala's epic poem Ram ki Shakti Puja:

Ravi hua ast, jyoti ke patra par likha amar, rah gaya Ram-Ravan ka aparajay samar. The sun has set away, inked on its rays the history of the day, Ram-Ravan in battle kept the other at bay. Nirala, opens with these iconic lines, one of the most revered pieces of Hindi literature.

Nirala’s Ram is human. He is sad, restless, questions if the battle can be won: Sthir Raghavendra ko hila raha phir-phir sankshay, reh-reh uthta jag jivan mein Ravan jay-bhay. Ram, always the equanimous, is shaken by doubt, rising in his core the fear of Ravan’s victory rout.

The darkness of war then floats Ram to the time he first saw Sita: Naynon ka naynon se gopan priya sambhasan. Tryst of their eyes, they spoke lovingly in disguise. Will Sita safely return home?

Ram’s nervousness is driven by the divine for Ravan has been embraced by Shakti (that is Maa Durga): Yeh nahin raha nar vanar ka rakshas se rann, utari pa Maa Shakti, Ravan se aamantran, anyay jidhar hai udhar Shakti, kehte chal chal ho gaye nayan. No longer a war of man-monkey with demon, descended has Maa Shakti on Ravan’s invitation, oh injustice is guarded by Shakti’s beacon, his eyes turned moist with this oration.

Ram ki Shakti Puja is based on Krititvasi Ramayan, a Bengali version, composed by Krittibas Ojha. The beauty of the epic is in many ways its myriad versions, outsourcing the core to reflect the reality of the readers’ time and place in history.

Despite our desires for simplicity, even purity, of evil, Ramayan reminds us that Ravan is a learned man, deeply spiritual, and a great warrior. Thus, Shakti has blessed him. It is in defeating him in the cause of justice that Ram can achieve greatness. What does Ram do now?

Jambvaan, a senior lieutenant, suggests Ram withdraw from battle and call on Shakti through meditation: Tum bhi yeh Shakti karo dharan, aaradhan ka dhrin aaradhan se do uttar. In Shakti’s meditation you too dissolve, respond to his determination with an even greater resolve.

And then, Nirala gets beatifically meta: Shakti ki karo maulik kalpana, karo pujan, chod do samar, jab tak na sidhi ho Raghunandan. Leave the battle and pray, till it is ripened, weave Shakti’s image within your fray.

The legend tells us: when the enemy is disciplined and tenacious, you have to be all that and more.

Ram, listens, smiles and assents, uttam nischay, beautiful decision, and sits in trance while Lakshman takes over as the leader in battle. These nine days of Ram’s deep worship of Maa Durga are what we celebrate as Navratri, the revered nine nights.

Hanuman brings 108 divine flowers for the fruition of this meditation. Deep into the eighth night, as Ram is slowly dedicating the flowers and nearing the completion of his immersion, Maa Durga secretly takes away the last flower to test Ram’s conviction—is he worthy?

Seeing the rikt sthan, the empty space where the last divine flower should have been, Ram’s focus is disturbed. He reminisces about all the difficulties he has had to face in life. Nothing comes easy even after such intense efforts. Just as resignation is about to take hold.

Nirala reminds us of his resolve, perhaps one that exists in us all: Veh ek aur mann raha Ram ka jo na thaka, jo nahin jaanta dainya, nahin jaanta vinay. That another being inside Ram exists, who doesn’t despair, who is not meek, not polite to injustice. He channels courage.

Kehti thi Mata mujhe sada rajiv nayan, do neel kamal hain shesh abhi, yeh pursharan pura karta hoon dekar mata ek nayan. The lotus-eyed mother to me would always state, two blue lotuses in me still await, to complete this prayer, my one eye to you Maa I donate.

Saying these words Ram reaches for the Brahmastra, a pious and potent arrow, and with certitude brings it to his right eye. The whole universe shivers, and Maa Durga appears. Ram’s willingness to go to the pinnacle of prayer, to sacrifice an eye, wins over Shakti.

The poem ends in her relenting to his persistence: Hogi jay, hogi jay, hey purshottam navin, keh Maha Shakti Ram ke badan mein huyi leen. O illustrious new man, victorious you shall be, blessing thus the great Shakti enters Ram’s being.

Ram defeats Ravan the next day in battle, which is today! Happy Dussehra :)

(Exceprts taken from my essay in the Mint Lounge: https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/big-story/lessons-from-nirala-s-ballad-for-our-battle-with-covid-111605020802528.html)