THE DOCTRINE OF SURRENDER AND GRACE

Patiently, Raama listened to the various views of the Vaanara chiefs. When at last he heard Hanumaan's words he was filled with joy.

Raama, steadfast in his own dharma, found satisfaction in Hanumaan's utterance. A good man is glad when a friend's opinion supports his decision on a question of duty.

"If a man comes as a friend," said Raama, "how can I reject him? It is against the law of my life. All of you, my friends and helpers, should know this. Once a man surrenders himself, one should overlook all his faults."

But Sugreeva was not satisfied. He said:

"This Raakshasa has on his own showing deserted his brother whose cause he considers lost. How can one put faith in a person who forsakes his own brother in his need?"

Vaalmeeki records that on bearing these words of Sugreeva, Raama turned to Lakshmana with a smile. Probably the smile was provoked by Sugreeva's forgetfulness of his own fraternal conduct in his indignant condemnation of Vibbeeshana!

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