This thread is very interesting, although I have not been able to read it completely. I intend to do this sometime later, but am now just putting in my two pence worth of thoughts.
First of all, I am a very new learner of the various texts, and have not been able to imbibe enough to address anybody's questions. My comments to your questions are really just my understanding from whatever little I have read.
1. Is it just me, or has Vishnu always been partial to devas unlike Shiva?
- Does this question come to your mind due to the show DKDM?
The reason I ask is, that other than in this show, I have never come across
such a statement/thought - and even they occasionally clarify it.
Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are two sides of the same coin. They favour no one and they favour everyone.
It is very simple really, the entire universe is made up of particles of God, so can God really be partial to one particle over another.
Also, in Hindu scripture the positive and negative qualities exist in all beings (whether, devta, asur or human). Accordingly, everytime any of these beings reach the point of no return in negativity, they are either brought to their knees or annihilated.
2. Is it just me, or the whole caste system in Hinduism originated from Vaishnavism? ( as in superiority of bhrahmins n other caste over some other caste)
- I think others early in this thread have answered this question very well.
- The Varna system had/has nothing to do with birth, what it has to do
with is knowledge and the work you do.
- Valmiki himself was a robber, who later in life was inspired to go
down the path of devotion through tapasya - and he went on to become
a great Sage.
- Another example is the Rishi Vishmamitra
3. Why is Ram regarded as maryada 'purushottam' when in fact what he did with( abandoning pregnant wife in forest) and demanded from(agni pareeksha) his chaste wife under societal pressures instead of standing by her was quite appalling n anything but 'purushottum'?
- If you look at this through the prism of our times (especially feminism), it is difficult to understand.
- There is a phrase "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown".
- This is a leela of Lord Vishnu, who went through great tribulations as Lord Ram, to show us how to conduct ourselves when in position of authority. It emphasises that a person who is in authority has to be beyond reproach in personal and public life. With personal life also including wife, brothers etc
- Just as we expect the concerned ministers in our Government, and their families to be beyond reproach even today. Although, this is just our expectation, never happens.
- Ram Rajya is all about the King being the Sevak of the people (not the ruler)
- Lastly, there were three times that Sita Mata faced this situation (it was never Rama the husband who had any doubts about her purity or needed any proof of it), and my take through limited understanding is :
first, when she was rescued from Lanka - Here as a dutiful Kul Vadhu, she accepted and gave the Agni Pariksha for the prestige of her Kul
Second, when Lord Rama (now King) heard the words of the Dhobi (his praja) - Here again as Queen she accepted - being linked to the throne, even though she is Pure, any fingers pointed even if they are false sullies the throne.
Third, when she again comes into his life - after Luv & Kush sings the Valmiki Ramayan : Here she did not really give the Pariksha, she actually punished Lord Ram and also the Praja, by leaving forever (she asks the Earth to swallow her, if she is pure - which she knew she was). She left behind a heartbroken husband (not a King) and an ashamed, repentant Praja. In effect teaching us (the Praja) not to raise false accusations, which could disastrously affect the lives of the very one who is protecting us and serving the people honestly.
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My take is with limited knowledge, so others in this thread pls clarify anything where my understanding is flawed. Will help me also to learn more.
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