| On Humility
The Roots of War
 The personality of Sri Rama as it is portrayed generally leaves one with the impression that he must have been a very serious looking person, incapable of a joke. The fact is, he enjoyed a joke, jested and even played practical jokes. We know how he, along with Lakshmana, teased Surpanakha and was responsible for the development of one of the pivotal scenes of the epic.
Speaking of his practical jokes, the most popular incident that comes to the mind is that of Trijata. Rama shines bright with his jest as well as his wonderful gesture. When I say Trijata, I do not mean the daughter of Vibishana who remained by the side of Sita in the Asoka Vana, comforting her throughout. Trijata was a Brahmin who was a descendant of sage Garga. A poor Brahmin that he was, he had all the assets that go with poverty - a large family! He made a living by physical labour. He used to dig the soil and was always found going about with an axe and plough.
‘kshatavRittirvane nityam phaalakuddaalalaaNgalii, says Valmiki. His everyday occupation was to dig the soil, and went about carrying a spade, an axe and a plough.
Just before starting on his exile, Rama wanted to discharge one of the sacred responsibilities specified for the rich, namely, sharing his coffers with the poor, the needy and the well-deserved. A rich person has always been considered as a trustee of community’s wealth. Generosity is always expected of the rich, to come forward and give a part of what he or she has earned. The emphasis is always on giving away. Giving with humility.
He called Lakshmana and asked Suyagna, the son of Vasistha, to be brought and showered him with gifts - golden armlets, rings, a diamond-studded couch et al. And then came Agastya, Kausika and a number of other Brahmins well versed in the Scriptures, as also others, and were pampered with riches.
As it always happens, the news reached the wife of Trijata.
‘apaasya phaalam kuddaalam,’ she told him. ‘Throw away your axe and the spade.
‘kurushhva vachanam mamam.’ And do what I tell you. Carry out what I say. Go now and seek for the presence of Rama. Just go to him and stand before him. He knows his duty. He would take care of us. Do it now. Let us be out of this poverty.’
The poor man did not even have a proper piece of cloth to cover him with.
‘aachchhaadya shatiim.’ He wrapped himself with a strip of cloth that was not sufficient to cover him properly, and went to the palace. The great thing about the royalty of Ayodhya is, even such a person steeped in poverty, dressed in rags and not properly covered, could walk through the gates of the palace, without a question.
‘aa pancamaayaaH kakSyaayaa na enam kashcit avaarayat.’ Nobody obstructed his entry up to the fifth gate.
‘Look at me O glorious prince!’ he addressed Rama, ‘I am a destitute. I have a large family. I earn my living through hard labour. I need not tell you why I sought your presence and I don’t have to say anything more.’ Rama smiled. He thought of teasing this poor thing.
‘raamaH parihaasa samanvitam,’ says Valmiki. Rama spoke to him jestingly. ‘O my dear sire, many have received riches from the morning. Yet, I have something left to gift to you. I would give you herds of cows. Now, throw this staff. Let me see how good you are at hurling it. I will bestow cows upon you to fill the space from here to the point where this staff falls. The longer you throw, the more you get.’
We know what happened. Trijata tightened his loincloth, hurled the staff with all his strength, spinning it above his head. The staff fell on the other bank of Sarayu, amidst thousands of cows grazing there. And naturally, he won the bet.
The story does not end there. An ordinary soul like any of us would have stopped with applauding the poor creature, if at all we have the grace to accept it, would have most gladly, and with all flourish, handed him the prize. The beautiful personality of Rama surfaces now. He was his true magnificent personality the next moment. He embraced Trijata. ‘Please do not mistake me my friend,’ he told.
‘parihaaso hyayam mama’ ‘I just joked.’ ‘I just desired to test your strength.
‘manyurna khalu kartavyaH.’ That was not an expression of contempt. Do not feel offended.
‘braviimi satyena.’ I am telling you the truth. Ask for more. This wealth belongs to all of you. You may take as much as you want.’
It is not just sufficient to bestow benefits. The person who gives, must be able to do so with the utmost sense of humility.
‘ellaarkkum nandraam paNidhal’ says Valluvar. Humility is good for all; is essential for all.
‘avaruLLum’ But of all the lot, ‘selvarkkE selvam thagaiththu’ it is more essential for the rich to be humble, for it adds to their wealth.
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