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Dilemmas>Lesson 1
Moral
Dillemas :Lesson 4
HANUMAN
BURNS LANKA
"Hearing
Hanuman's faithful narrative, Rama, full of joy, said: 'The
mission that Hanuman had carried out is of great significance
an the most arduous in the world... Who is able to capture
that citadel by assault, that has been rendered inaccessible
by its rampart of titans, but one whose courage and valour
are equal to Hanuman's? Hanuman has carried out this important
service for Sugreeva by manifesting a strength equal to
his audacity. That servant to whom his master confides a
difficult task and who acquits himself with zeal is said
to be a superior man. The one who is ready and capable but
who yet does no more than himself agreeable, is called an
ordinary man, but he who is well and able and does not carry
out the command of his king, is said to be the least of
men. Hanuman has fulfilled the task confided to him unfalteringly....
Yet even so my heart is heavy, since I am unable to requite
the bearer of these good tidings in fitting manner.'"
(from Valmiki, trans. Hari Prasad Shastri)
Defining
the Dilemma
Hanuman,
emissary and loyal servant to Rama, finds Sita imprisoned
in Ravana's palace, assures her that help is on the way,
and, in turn, is captured by Ravana's demon soldiers. Viewed
as a spy, Hanuman who has killed Ravana's younger son Aksa
in battle, is delivered to Ravana for retribution. Impressed
with Ravana's charm, nobility, heroism, and splendor, Hanuman
notes the fact that Ravana is, however, "devoted to
unrighteousness." Similarly struck by Hanuman's "majesty
of appearance and strength," Ravana attempts to ascertain
the purpose of Hanuman's visit and his reason for laying
"Asoka-grove to waste." Proclaiming that he is
a messenger for Sugreeva, Hanuman states that he acted in
self defense an pleads with Ravana to restore Sita to Rama
or to fall victim to Rama's wrath. Furious at hearing Hanuman's
words, Ravana orders Hanuman's death.
Vibhisana,
Ravana's brother, intervenes at this point and counsels
Ravana to follow the scriptures and exact the appropriate
punishment for Hanuman's crime. Ravana "appreciated
the counsel and accepted it with intelligence." He
chooses, instead, to order his demons to set fire to Hanuman's
tail in an effort to show that such mischief is intolerable.
Enduring the punishment, Hanuman seizes the opportunity
to observe Lanka during the day in an effort to gather military
information for the future. Hanuman is "intrigued"
that the fire does not burn or hurt him and concludes that
it is Sita's grace and Rama's glory that prevent injury
to him. Hanuman frees himself from his bonds, and with his
tail ablaze, flies around Lanka, destroying the town. Pleased
with his exploits, the gods and sages sing Hanuman's praises.
However, Hanuman begins to fear that his angry actions (for
he does act out of anger) may have unwittingly contributed
to Sita's death. He discovers that Sita is, in fact safe,
and delighted to hear this news, he prepares to return to
Rama.
Outcomes
/ Consequences
If
Hanuman does burn Lanka, does this act effectively dishearten
and demoralize Ravana and his army? In what ways does this
contribute to the final outcome (with Rama and Ravana meeting
in battle)?
If
Hanuman burns the city, could it perhaps reveal Ravana as
an inauspicious character (particularly to his own army)?
If
Hanuman does not burn Lanka, could his mission still have
been accomplished? Consider the fact that his freedom was
not really at issue here.
If
Hanuman escapes the city of Lanka without burning it, would
he be deemed less loyal to Rama? Does his burning of Lanka
exceed Rama's expectations of loyalty?
Dharma
Dharma
is defined as
1. good
and righteous conduct in performing your life's roles
2. performing your role correctly given a certain situation
and time.
While Hanuman achieves certain goals in his burning of Lanka,
were these the most righteous means to his end? Given the
situation and time, could Hanuman have opted for other choices
that would have been more commendable, and thus more principled?
Ultimately,
in burning Lanka, Hanuman acts out of retaliation (and anger)
to counter the retaliation of Ravana and his army. Is this
act morally defensible, and is Hanuman fulfilling his dharma
in the most fitting way?
Ravana
listens to the advice of his counselors, and in doing so,
chooses not to kill Hanuman but instead opts to set his
tail afire. What role does dharma play here? Is Ravana's
"proper punishment" of Hanuman less vindictive,
and does it warrant greater merit than Hanuman's burning
of the entire city of Lanka?
Finally,
Rama and Ravana meet on the battlefield. Does Hanuman's
prior action significantly contribute to Rama's vanquishing
of Ravana? If so, has he (Hanuman) effectively fulfilled
his dharma? If not, why not?
Questions
Brainstorm
and discuss the following questions as they relate to this
scene.
1. Is
the action correct according to dharma?
2. Is it realistic according to human nature? (Perhaps a
discussion of the varying cultural norms in Eastern and
Western societies would be appropriate at this time.)
3. What would you have chosen to do in this situation? (Perhaps
a role-playing activity could work here, with students expressing
their motives through the characters' perspectives.)
4. What situations have you experienced, or are you aware
of, that parallel those in this scene of the Ramayana?
Extensions
1. Ask
students what current or historical issue illustrates the
same type of dilemma.
2. Ask students what comparable piece of literature illustrates
similar dilemmas.
3. If this were to be viewed as a contemporary dilemma,
what factors or variables would contribute to the outcome?
