Tribals in Assam criticize Lord Rama for killing Ravana and Sambuka

by Guest Sun Jun 19, 2016 8:52 pm

In Assam, where hill women have specialised in weaving, Sita is characterised as a fine weaver. In puppet shows among the tribals, some are Ravana upasakas (worshippers). As such Ravana can never be killed. The legend states that Rama killed only the chaya ( shadow) of Ravana and not the real demon king.

In fact, during the puppetry recital three curses are showered on Rama for killing Ravana-- Brahma Hatya (killing of a Brahmin), Bhakta Hatya (Sambuka, Ravana) and Chaya Hatya (killing of a singer – Ravana). Many tribal traditions believed in Ravana and not Rama. Ravana puppet does not have to endure manipulation and the puppet of Ravana is complex or beautiful. His satwa (good) character is created in puppetry, which must look like a hero.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/398712/tribes-have-their-own-versions.html

by Guest Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:22 am

Rashmun wrote:In Assam, where hill women have specialised in weaving, Sita is characterised as a fine weaver. In puppet shows among the tribals, some are Ravana upasakas (worshippers). As such Ravana can never be killed. The legend states that Rama killed only the chaya ( shadow) of Ravana and not the real demon king.

In fact, during the puppetry recital three curses are showered on Rama for killing Ravana-- Brahma Hatya (killing of a Brahmin), Bhakta Hatya (Sambuka, Ravana) and Chaya Hatya (killing of a singer – Ravana). Many tribal traditions believed in Ravana and not Rama. Ravana puppet does not have to endure manipulation and the puppet of Ravana is complex or beautiful. His satwa (good) character is created in puppetry, which must look like a hero.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/398712/tribes-have-their-own-versions.html

Lord Rama, the sat-purusa (ideal man) & the great upholder of dharma, upholds the dharma of slaughtering an innocent Sudra only because he was performing asceticism (tapas). Low-castes like Sudras were not allowed to perform austerities or penances as Brahmins were, because the whole universe could go out of balance when caste divisions are not adhered to. Therefore, Sambuka, only because he was born as a Sudra and was performing the svadharma (caste duty) of a higher caste than his own, was slain by Rama as a sacrifice:

"Thereupon approaching him, Rama said, 'O you of good vows, blessed are you; I do ask you, now, O highly effulgent and grown old in asceticism, in what Varna (caste) are you born? I put this question out of curiosity. I am the son of king Dasaratha and my name is Rama. For what are you going through such hard austerities? Is it heaven or anything else that you pray for? O ascetic, I wish to hear, of the purpose for which you are performing such hard penances. Are you a Brahman, or an irrepressible Ksatriya or the third caste Vaisya or a Sudra? Speak the truth and you shall be crowned with auspiciousness.' Hearing the words of Rama, the ascetic, whose face was downwards, gave out his degraded birth and communicated unto him for what he was performing ascetic observances. Hearing the words of Rama of unwearied actions, the ascetic, with his face downwards, said, 'O highly illustrious Rama, I am born in the race of Sudras; and with a view to reach the region of the celestials with my body I am going through these austere penances. O Kakutstha (Rama), I shall never utter a falsehood since I am willing to conquer the region of gods. I am a Sudra and my name is Sambuka.' The Sudra ascetic having said this, Rama took out of scabbard a beautiful sharp sword and chopped off his head therewith. And that Sudra being slain, Indra, Agni and other celestials praised him again and again and showered flowers." -- Ramayana 7:88-89.

Tribals in Assam criticize Lord Rama for killing Ravana and Sambuka

Tribals in Assam criticize Lord Rama for killing Ravana and Sambuka

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