Stories from Ramayana

The following rare stories from the Ramayana were re-written by SKR (in his own style and language) for his granddaughter Vyju.

The Fate of the Trapped Pigeon
Once upon a time, a hunter trapped a female pigeon in his net and was happily taking it home. A sudden thunder and heavy rains disturbed his plans and everything turned dark and chilly. He ran looking for a shelter and found at last a huge banyan tree to take shelter. On the branches of the tree was a male pigeon-the spouse of the pigeon caught by the man and kept imprisoned in the net! Ironically, the hunter had come to the abode of his prisoner, unknowingly.

The pigeon in the net realised this at once and lovingly called her mate and told her of her fate. The male perched in the branches asked his wife; 'what shall I do, now?' The bird in the net said; 'My beloved one, don’t worry about me. Such a fate befalls us sooner or later. But, we've now a wonderful opportunity to abide by Dharma and help our guest! After all the man has come to our house in troubled state. He is shivering and hungry. It is our duty, as hosts, to make him feel comfortable and happy. Please do what should be done and this act will please Gods and our salvation is assured!'

Hearing this entreaty from his beloved, even in the pitiable state she was in, the free pigeon on the branch was determined to do what was right and proper under those circumstances, reminded by DHARMA. He flew all over and collected shrubs and sticks and managed to lit a fire to make the hunter feel warm. He then thought of a way to feed him and found no easy or better way than sacrificing himself by falling on the fire! It is said that the pigeons, by this act of kindness, hospitality and sacrifice pleased Gods and reached a State not easy for the most wise and learned of men!

The above story was narrated by Rama to Sugriva and his ministers who advised Him not to provide refuge to Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, when Vibhishana left Sri Lanka and his brother and surrendered to Rama. Rama argued that the pigeons have not had the advantages of humans in learning about Dharma, knowing thereby what is good and proper and what is bad and improper. The birds realised that one should not reject those who had come and sought or need help. Rama queried how such learned ministers (except Hanuman) as Sugriva himself could not know what the birds did! This occurs in Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda (chapter on war with Ravana).

The second story similar in content is also poignant and is narrated by Divine Mother Sita herself to none other than Hanuman! The context was also similar. After the slaying of Ravana, Hanuman meets Sita and seeks her permission to kill the Rakshasis in the Asoka Vana who hurt and abused Sita earlier. For this, Sita chides Hanuman strongly and asks him to show those who have not hurt others in some way or other! The Compassion of our Divine Mother is Incomparable and our very existence is due to Her Mercy only! Now, the story;

The Tiger, Bear and Hunter
A hunter during his rounds in the forest accosted unfortunately a ferocious tiger, who is not known for kindness or nonviolence! Obviously, the tiger badly needed its dinner and was determined to make a mince-meat of the hunter. The man ran in fright, and the only thought he had then was to somehow survive! He ran and ran, almost falling dead by fatigue. As luck (for him) would have it, he found a huge tree and started climbing. The tiger was not to be left behind and the hunter barely managed to climb finding a big branch as refuge. The tiger, no doubt ,was very disappointed in missing its prey by a hair's breath-so to say! It persisted and did not leave the tree. Watchful, hungry and angry, it came round and round the tree-fretting, fuming and cursing. It threatened the man, vowing to get him the moment he came down. The hunter ,exhausted that he was, clung to the branches . Soon, he heard a kind(but gruff) voice imploring him to rest without fear. There it was, a big Bear seated comfortably on the branch. He was scared to his bones but the bear assured him that he was its guest and have no fear! Very soon, the hunter was sound asleep on the fur-body of his bear-host! The tiger, waiting on the ground, seized this as its moment of triumph and pleaded with the bear: ''My dear friend, don’t you realise that we are both animals. The human being is our common enemy and hunts us relentlessly. It's but fair that we join together and get rid of this menace! All that you need to do is to push him down. I'll take care of the rest. He's my dinner, you are my friend and, in future too, you need not fear from me! Please understand, be wise and give the sleeping man to me!''

But the bear said: “My dear friend, you are wrong. It's not Dharma to refuse a life who had sought refuge in you, Whoever he might be. Even an enemy cannot be abandoned if he surrenders to you. I cannot oblige you. It's best you leave us in peace and search for some other prey! The tiger was angry and muttered ''You fool, you fool'' but continued its vigil on the ground.

Time passed and the man woke up rested and free from fear that gripped him earlier. The bear was tired too and started to sleep while the man kept awake. The tiger, persistent in its attempts to get the better of the two, found now a new opportunity. It called the man and implored: “My dear friend, I'm no enemy of yours nor a friend of bear. All I need is my dinner. If you provide me that, I shall go home and you are free too.” The man was surprised and asked how he can help tiger! The clever tiger said:

''All you need to do is to give a slight nudge to the sleeping bear. I shall have him for my dinner. After all, he is your enemy too, in a bad mood! Better protect yourself and push him down. The ungrateful hunter indeed did so in a selfish manner but the alert bear caught another branch and perched itself safely from the tiger! The tiger -true to the adage ''Never say die'' -now turned to the bear and pleaded again; Did I not warn how ungrateful human beings are? At least now, listen to me, teach the man a lesson by pushing him down!''

The bear refused, saying that you don’t do things that are wrong, just because others do such things. You stick to what you know as Dharma, come what may! Thus admonished and tired of waiting, the tiger at last had to leave without his prey! Thus a man was saved by a bear who stood by Dharma.