Rama Rajya Or Sita Rajya?

Here is an excerpt from an article published in today's [DECEMBER 16, 2010] The Hindu:-


"Those who study the Vedas are held in high regard. When the sages approach Rama and ask Him to kill the asuras who are disrupting the yagas of the sages, Rama assures the sages of His help. Sita asks Him how He can take their word and proceed to kill the asuras, without getting the asuras' version of the problem. Rama answers that sages have only the welfare of all humanity in mind, so they will not utter falsehoods. Their word is enough for Rama to slay the asuras."

[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article955214.ece]

Considering the above anecdote from the vantage point of 21st century, it is difficult to agree with the ethical point being made.

What is noteworthy is that in this episode, the guys (denigrated as "asuras") are not being accused of murder, rape or theft. The alleged offence is that they disrupted "the yagas of the sages". And for this, they are to be summarily slayed -- without trial, and without even a hearing of their version of the events.

"Rama Rajya" comes out as medieval and barbaric -- something that can have no relevance in modern times. It would seem that Sita was far ahead of her times..


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