Above replies mostly drive the point that since lord Rama is "Supreme personality of godhead" His act is justified. This is true. But consider the following in addition to above
Lord Rama is playing the role of a Kshatriya. Duty of Kshatriya is essentially to protect those who abide by scripture (devotees, sadhus) and destroy evils of those who act against scriptures and unnecessarily trouble others (demons). This is what all kshatriyas do. This is their dharma.
Example - Lord Rama's father killed many demons and protected the saintly
For Kshatriyas to perform this duty effectively they need two things - 1. KNowledge of scriptures in discriminating right and wrong 2. Power to protect and destroy
It is this second aspect that clearly distinguishes kshatriya from the other classes. To gain this power the kshatriyas undergo rigorous training for many years. But acquiring power once is not enough. They need to constantly practice to remain at the top of their strengths and skill. Like a sportsman may know to do everything, but if he doesnt play for 3 years, he will not perform well.
Suppose there are long times of peace, then kshatriyas never get opportunities to fight, their strength and skill can reduce. This puts the whole kingdom in danger, because suddenly if a strong demoniac force attacks the kshatriays wont be able to protect general people.Hence in order to protect the kingdom at all times they need constant practice even during peace times.
One way to acheive this is by allowing them to kill forest animals. This is allowed by shastras for the greater good of the civilization.It is not easy to kill forest animals like lion, tiger, deer etc This involves chase, bravey, skill etc
Example : Lord Rama's father had a technique of using shabdbhedi weapon - shooting a target simply by listening to the target which cannot be seen. He thought he heard a deer near river and shot, but arrow hit shravan kumar and King Dashratha gets cursed. The point is if it had been deer, it wouldn't have been wrong for him to kill it. This sharpens his skill and the skill is used for protecting civilization and hence shastras allow it.
In modern days defence forces spend huge amounts of govt money in practice of various aspects even during peacetimes. This is allowed by govt. because this is in higher interest of countrymen.
Note : Only forest or wild animals can be killed. Domestic animals like cow, horse, dog etc are not to be killed by kshatriyas for this purpose. Because it wont help in any manner. Example : Ekalavya shot arrows on dog. This is condemned. This is not sanctioned by scriptures
Kshatriyas are allowed to kill wild animals for a higher purpose
just if u ask whether knife is good or bad ,we say knife in the hands of a surgeon is used to save people & knife in the hands of thief is used to kill people . although the activity here is same for both ,still there is vast difference in their nature .
So when the lord kills it is not like the killing of one's enemy.it is his causeless mercy . those who were killed by Him were liberated .example : people ask why krsna killed a woman .but krsna actually saved her by liberating her from her demon body & gave her the position of his mother. this is the supreme mercy of the lord that whoever comes to Him whether to kill Him or to please Him , Krsna simply showers His mercy on them .
--now another thing was that the deer was marica who had already tasted Ramchandra's punishment .when ravana asked marica to help him kidnap sita ,marica was afraid to go .then ravana warned him that if he didnot help then ravana would chop off his head .so marica considered better to be killed by Ram than ravana ---*
---& no ordinary person can enter into lord's lila .when ram was to enjoy wrestling pastimes he sends his own devotees to become demons in his lila .ravana ,kumbakarna,sisupala etc were the doorkeepers of vaikunta . even we speak ill about duryodhana but in truth he is an associate of lord balarama .---
one must understand the lord's activities are not material .
it is not similar to a human activity .
we are forced by maya to accept a material body but the appears by his own will .we are forced to suffer according to our karma but Ramchandra's is not forced so .He was exiled ,His wife was kidnapped ,His brother was hurt by indrajit & the lord used to cry .but all these are not same as our situations.it is the lord's own will.these are his pastimes that gives unlimited pleasure to lord & his devotees .even today most of us enjoy hearing Ramayana because it is not material activity .
so as krsna says :-
" janma karma ca me divyam
evam yo vetti tattva tah
tyaktva deham punar janma
naiti mam eti so arjuna "
Anyone who understands the trancendental nature of my appearance & activities donot upon leaving their body come to this material world .instead they shall attain my abode .
When Lord appears as a Kshatriya, He acts just like a Kshatriya and when He manifests as a Sadhu, He acts just like a Sadhu. The reason for acting as such is to bewilder the asuras.
Shrimad Bhagwatam (SB)1.16.26-28 mentions 39 attributes of Lord manifesting as a King and SB 11.11.29 mentions 30 attributes of Lord manifesting as a Sadhu.
Only an enlightened and discerning soul can understand that He is neither a humanly Kshatriya nor a humanly Sadhu.
"Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be."-Bhagwad Gita 9.11
Let us not be categorized as 'fools'. It is prudent to walk on the path of enlightened and discerning souls.
"Those who are thus bewildered are attracted by demonic and atheistic views. In that deluded condition, their hopes for liberation, their fruitive activities, and their culture of knowledge are all defeated." - Bhagwad Gita 9.12
Jains believe that Krishna is presently burning in the '3rd hell' for inspiring the Pandavas to fight the Mahabharat war. That is why the Jains have been classified by the Hindus as professing an atheistic viewpoint and ostracised from the Vedic fold. Their severe austerities and urge to attain Kevalgnan is meaningless for they do not have the divine vision to see all the leelas of Lord in a human form.
For intelligent people, nothing more needs to be said.
Replies
Hare Krishna
Above replies mostly drive the point that since lord Rama is "Supreme personality of godhead" His act is justified.
This is true. But consider the following in addition to above
Lord Rama is playing the role of a Kshatriya. Duty of Kshatriya is essentially to protect those who abide by scripture (devotees, sadhus) and destroy evils of those who act against scriptures and unnecessarily trouble others (demons). This is what all kshatriyas do. This is their dharma.
Example - Lord Rama's father killed many demons and protected the saintly
For Kshatriyas to perform this duty effectively they need two things - 1. KNowledge of scriptures in discriminating right and wrong 2. Power to protect and destroy
It is this second aspect that clearly distinguishes kshatriya from the other classes. To gain this power the kshatriyas undergo rigorous training for many years. But acquiring power once is not enough. They need to constantly practice to remain at the top of their strengths and skill. Like a sportsman may know to do everything, but if he doesnt play for 3 years, he will not perform well.
Suppose there are long times of peace, then kshatriyas never get opportunities to fight, their strength and skill can reduce. This puts the whole kingdom in danger, because suddenly if a strong demoniac force attacks the kshatriays wont be able to protect general people.Hence in order to protect the kingdom at all times they need constant practice even during peace times.
One way to acheive this is by allowing them to kill forest animals. This is allowed by shastras for the greater good of the civilization.It is not easy to kill forest animals like lion, tiger, deer etc This involves chase, bravey, skill etc
Example : Lord Rama's father had a technique of using shabdbhedi weapon - shooting a target simply by listening to the target which cannot be seen. He thought he heard a deer near river and shot, but arrow hit shravan kumar and King Dashratha gets cursed. The point is if it had been deer, it wouldn't have been wrong for him to kill it. This sharpens his skill and the skill is used for protecting civilization and hence shastras allow it.
In modern days defence forces spend huge amounts of govt money in practice of various aspects even during peacetimes. This is allowed by govt. because this is in higher interest of countrymen.
Note : Only forest or wild animals can be killed. Domestic animals like cow, horse, dog etc are not to be killed by kshatriyas for this purpose. Because it wont help in any manner.
Example : Ekalavya shot arrows on dog. This is condemned. This is not sanctioned by scriptures
Kshatriyas are allowed to kill wild animals for a higher purpose
YS Bharat
As i heard He did not wanted to kill the deer. But give to him shelter in His kingdom;
Because Mother Sita wanted to have him; So She would take nice care of a deer;
So when the lord kills it is not like the killing of one's enemy.it is his causeless mercy . those who were killed by Him were liberated .example : people ask why krsna killed a woman .but krsna actually saved her by liberating her from her demon body & gave her the position of his mother. this is the supreme mercy of the lord that whoever comes to Him whether to kill Him or to please Him , Krsna simply showers His mercy on them .
--now another thing was that the deer was marica who had already tasted Ramchandra's punishment .when ravana asked marica to help him kidnap sita ,marica was afraid to go .then ravana warned him that if he didnot help then ravana would chop off his head .so marica considered better to be killed by Ram than ravana ---*
---& no ordinary person can enter into lord's lila .when ram was to enjoy wrestling pastimes he sends his own devotees to become demons in his lila .ravana ,kumbakarna,sisupala etc were the doorkeepers of vaikunta . even we speak ill about duryodhana but in truth he is an associate of lord balarama .---
one must understand the lord's activities are not material .
it is not similar to a human activity .
we are forced by maya to accept a material body but the appears by his own will .we are forced to suffer according to our karma but Ramchandra's is not forced so .He was exiled ,His wife was kidnapped ,His brother was hurt by indrajit & the lord used to cry .but all these are not same as our situations.it is the lord's own will.these are his pastimes that gives unlimited pleasure to lord & his devotees .even today most of us enjoy hearing Ramayana because it is not material activity .
so as krsna says :-
" janma karma ca me divyam
evam yo vetti tattva tah
tyaktva deham punar janma
naiti mam eti so arjuna "
Anyone who understands the trancendental nature of my appearance & activities donot upon leaving their body come to this material world .instead they shall attain my abode .
hare krsna !
When Lord appears as a Kshatriya, He acts just like a Kshatriya and when He manifests as a Sadhu, He acts just like a Sadhu. The reason for acting as such is to bewilder the asuras.
Shrimad Bhagwatam (SB)1.16.26-28 mentions 39 attributes of Lord manifesting as a King and SB 11.11.29 mentions 30 attributes of Lord manifesting as a Sadhu.
Only an enlightened and discerning soul can understand that He is neither a humanly Kshatriya nor a humanly Sadhu.
"Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be."-Bhagwad Gita 9.11
Let us not be categorized as 'fools'. It is prudent to walk on the path of enlightened and discerning souls.
"Those who are thus bewildered are attracted by demonic and atheistic views. In that deluded condition, their hopes for liberation, their fruitive activities, and their culture of knowledge are all defeated." - Bhagwad Gita 9.12
Jains believe that Krishna is presently burning in the '3rd hell' for inspiring the Pandavas to fight the Mahabharat war. That is why the Jains have been classified by the Hindus as professing an atheistic viewpoint and ostracised from the Vedic fold. Their severe austerities and urge to attain Kevalgnan is meaningless for they do not have the divine vision to see all the leelas of Lord in a human form.
For intelligent people, nothing more needs to be said.