Doubts and Discussions from the Ramayan - Page 13

Originally posted by: Vibhishna

I don't remember reading about the mangal sutra in any version of the Ramayan. I too thought that this tradition had come up in the later years. But I don't have any information of its origin.

Originally posted by: ananyacool

Well it was me who said so,

The Vanars never may have said anything about Ma Sita instead each Vanar vied to get one glimpse of ma Sita when she arrived in a palaquin, anyway I think it should be taken symbolically.

Originally posted by: Vibhishna

The story of the four Shiva Lingas and the vanars staying back after being promised with the divine sight of Sri Ram's coronation is new to me.

According to the local history of Triconomalee (Tirukonamalai - I'm not sure if it is called Tirukoneshwaram too), Ravan was blessed by Lord Shiva in this place. Here is that story:.....................................................................................

Ravan tried to move the Shiva Linga but it remained stuck to the ground. He was at a lost what to do. He didn't know how to return to Lanka with bare hands and face his mother. Then, Sri Mahavishnu (that is what the story said) appeared in front of the despairing Ravan and said, "The Lord who resides in the Kailash mountains in the North also resides in the Thirukonnamalai in the South. You may try to get another Shiva Linga from him by doing austerities there." ........................................................

Originally posted by: winnerasha

Ok agreed mangal sutra originated later but like in the ascetic dress which sita wore before abduction in this serial, she certainly was wearing a mangal stura. so on that basis, i said she should have worn atleast that

Originally posted by: chen2chic

U r welcome! My real name is Deepa.

I think you are probably talking about Kanchipuram temple where there is a giant gold lizard, and a silver lizard. It is believed that touching the lizard in this sanctified chamber absolves us of the sin of previously hurting lizards and it also protects us from future harm by lizards.

But will ask someone back home if there is a golden lizard in Rameshwaram? Never know whats hidden where??😊

Originally posted by: chen2chic

Yes, Triconamalee is Thirukoneshwaram. The hill surface is said to be rugged and called "Ravanan Vettu", meaning (Ravan's cuts). So can link it easily to this story of Ravan and his mother Kaikasi.

Also the Mahavishnu mentioned in the above story is right. As per the Varaha Puran, in the 'Kapilavarahamahaatmya' section this story is mentioned.

When Ravan invaded Indralok and defeated Indra with the help of Meghnad, he is said to have entered into Indra's palace. There he saw the idol of Varahamurthi (Vishnu in His Boar form - Varaha - 3rd avatar). He was so influenced by the idol that he bowed his head in front of the idol. Lord Varaha was surprised with this action of Ravan who was not a worshipper of Vishnu. But Ravan said that he would worship Varaha with all devotion and that Varaha should come with him to Lanka. Lord Varaha agreed to this and Ravan is said to have worshipped Lord Varaha everyday till his final battle with Shri Ram.

It is this Lord Varaha who informs Ravan about Trikonamalai.

It is also said that when Shri Ram was returning to Ayodhya, he requested Vibhishana to hand over this idol of Lord Varaha since Lord Ram also worshipped the same, and Lord Ram is said to have brought the idol of Varaha with him to Ayodhya.

Originally posted by: Chandraketu

Ravan & his family were Brahmins, but the other rakshasha warriors who fought & were killed were not. I doubt that Rama needed to do anything to atone for their killing.

I don't know whether Ashwamedha was the only penance for this sin, but the linga installation may have been the penance for killing a Shiv bhakt, which Ravan was. Also note that Indra performed this yagna for killing Vritra, and in the Mahabharat, Yudhisthir performed it for killing not only Drona, but also his superiors, namely Bheeshma, Karna & Shalya. So it's not just for killing Brahmins, but also for killing ones own elders.

Thanks for sharing this story. I was not suggesting that it's false, just that it's unlikely, for the reason that if it was done for that reason, then Rama wouldn't have needed to perform the Ashwamedha for killing Ravan. Note that some rishi or the other was said to have declined Rama's offerings because he hadn't atoned for Ravan's killing: that wouldn't have been the case if this linga installation had been considered adequate atonement.

I too agree that this story is unlikely. But it is from Saint Thyagaraja's composition. His composition is more like Rama Charita Manasa. I agree with the installation of Linga is for killing a Shiv Bhakt. Also, I am not sure if Ram would have incurred the sin of Brahmahatya. When Dashrath had shot an arrow at Shravan and was worried that he would get the Brahmahatya sin on seeing the hermit dress on the boy, Shravan said that he was born of a Brahman father and a Sudra mother (it says so in Kambaramayan - I think in Valmiki he says he is born of a Brahman and a Sudra or a Vaisya and a Sudra - not sure again). And hence, he told the prince Dashrath that he will not incur the sin of Brahmahatya. Could this be the case with Ravan as well?

Originally posted by: Vibhishna

I too agree that this story is unlikely. But it is from Saint Thyagaraja's composition. His composition is more like Rama Charita Manasa. I agree with the installation of Linga is for killing a Shiv Bhakt. Also, I am not sure if Ram would have incurred the sin of Brahmahatya. When Dashrath had shot an arrow at Shravan and was worried that he would get the Brahmahatya sin on seeing the hermit dress on the boy, Shravan said that he was born of a Brahman father and a Sudra mother (it says so in Kambaramayan - I think in Valmiki he says he is born of a Brahman and a Sudra or a Vaisya and a Sudra - not sure again). And hence, he told the prince Dashrath that he will not incur the sin of Brahmahatya. Could this be the case with Ravan as well?

As for Indra performing the Ashwamedha Yagna, apart from this being the reason to get rid of Brahmahatya I have heard of another story that Mother Earth pleaded with the Brahmahatya to leave Indra for the sake of Sachhi Devi. But I'm not sure if this was the incident (for killing Vritra) or it was for Indra killing some other Brahman (I don't know if Indra killed some other Brahman too). Brahmahatya left Indra after much pleading by Mother Earth and warned that if Indra ever killed another Brahman, he wont escape her again.

Originally posted by: winnerasha

Ok agreed mangal sutra originated later but like in the ascetic dress which sita wore before abduction in this serial, she certainly was wearing a mangal stura. so on that basis, i said she should have worn atleast that

Originally posted by: Vibhishna

I too agree that this story is unlikely. But it is from Saint Thyagaraja's composition. His composition is more like Rama Charita Manasa. I agree with the installation of Linga is for killing a Shiv Bhakt. Also, I am not sure if Ram would have incurred the sin of Brahmahatya. When Dashrath had shot an arrow at Shravan and was worried that he would get the Brahmahatya sin on seeing thehermitdress on the boy, Shravan said that he was born of a Brahman father and a Sudra mother (it says so in Kambaramayan - I think in Valmiki he says he is born of a Brahman and a Sudra or a Vaisya and a Sudra - not sure again). And hence, he told the prince Dashrath that he will not incur the sin of Brahmahatya. Could this be the case with Ravan as well?