(Maricha and Subahu)

 

Demon son of Thataki, uncle of Ravana. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

 

Extract taken from: (Ramayana: A Divine Drama, Actors in the Divine Play as scripted by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Vol.5)

 

Sons of Thataki:

Maricha and Subahu (are) sons of Thataki. (SSB 1996, p. 25). She (Thataki) brought forth a son named Maricha. He had the might and heroism of Indra himself. Mother and son jointly caused tremendous havoc and disaster. (RKRV Part I, p. 103)

 

Rama hurls Maricha far away and the inner meaning of letting Maricha go:

The sage Vishwamitra took Rama and Lakshmana for the protection of his yaga from the depredations of Thataki and her sons. Maricha was one of the sons. After Rama had killed Thataki, Maricha appeared to disturb the Yaga. (SSS Vol.23, p. 43)

 

Rama, through His Divine Vision, knew where the leading ogres, Maricha and Subahu were, and he released the Manavastra (arrow) in that direction. It struck the breast of Maricha, and stopped any further mischief from him. Next he shot the Agneyastra (Fire weapon) at Subahu and it got lodged in the heart of Subahu. Rama understood that if their corpses dropped on the holy region the hermitage itself will be polluted. So to prevent that sinful contact, the arrows of Rama carried the vicious bodies hundreds of miles afar and cast them into the ocean! Maricha and Subahu shrieked and groaned in unbearable agony and struggled desperately amidst the waves; but they did not die. (RKRV Part I, p. 117)

 

Rama then released the Agneyastra on Subahu, who collapsed on the ground then and there. Rama followed this up by launching the Vayvayastra (Vayu Astra) on the followers of Subahu who then melted into thin air instantaneously. (SSB 1996, p. 25)

 

After killing the rakshasas, Thataki and Subahu, Maricha was allowed to go free and we must examine the inner meaning of this situation. If Maricha was also killed and was not allowed to go free, there would not have been the possibility of Ravana taking away Sita. If Ravana did not take away Sita, there would not have been the killing of Ravana himself. Thus, there is always a master plan behind every act in Ramayana. (SSB 1977, p. 141)

 

Maricha’s Role in Sita’s Abduction by Ravana:

Ravana convinced himself at last that the two brothers were Royal Princes and no more. He resolved that he would kill them both and bring away the lady of whom he was so enamoured. He promised his sister that he would avenge the injury inflicted on her in that manner. He hurried to the ‘seashore dwelling’ of Maricha, and sat by his side, detailing to him the events that had happened. He ordered Maricha to play his part in the execution of his plan. Ravana proceeded to the Dandaka Forest, with Maricha following him closely. On the way, Ravana explained to his companion the strategy he had conceived. He directed Maricha to transform himself, by means of his demonic powers, into a lovely golden deer. He wanted him to frisk about, in that alluring form, before the hermitage where Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were. Maricha had to assent, since he had no way of escaping from his ire. Ravana told him: ‘Rama will try to capture you, and will follow you and you should lead him far into the distance, and from thence, you must yell in painful agony, ‘Oh Sita! Oh Lakshmana,’ in a voice exactly like that of Rama.’ Then, keeping the chariot afar, both moved towards the hermitage. (RKRV Part II, pp. 45-46)

 

He (Ravana) told Maricha: ‘You are a pre-eminently capable person. You can understand demons and deal equally with the Divine. You are capable of assuming any form. You must therefore go to the Dandakaranya forest and separate Rama from Sita.’ (SSS Vol.23, pp. 44-45)

 

Maricha advises Ravana to desist from such acts:

 

(The Demon Marichi Tries to Dissuade Ravana)

 

But Maricha said that he had borne the brunt of the might of both Rama and Lakshmana, once already. (RKRV Part II, p. 45) At that stage, Maricha told Ravana: ‘This is a disastrous proposal. It is said that men who are destined for destruction develop disastrous ideas. No one can conquer Rama. You can never hope to acquire Sita in all your life. Rama is God incarnate. Give up this suicidal idea.’

 

Maricha describes Rama’s power and beauty

Maricha was one of those who realised the omnipresence, the omnipotence and the Divine greatness of Rama. Rama aimed an arrow at him which threw him off miles away. That experience made Maricha realise the Divine puissance of Rama. He declared that he had not seen anyone who could equal Rama in power. He explained to him the unique powers of Rama even as a young lad. He told Ravana: ‘Oh Ravana! There is no one in this world that is as powerful as Rama. There is no parallel to him anywhere. Pumsam Mohana Rupaya - His unexcelled beauty is beyond words. His form fascinates even men. I have beheld his divine beauteous form.’ (SSS Vol.23, pp. 43-44)

 

Maricha witnessed the prowess and sanctity of Rama

Maricha, who had earlier witnessed the prowess and sanctity of Rama, tried to reason with Ravana, saying, ‘Ravana, you do not know the matchless strength and prowess of Rama. There is none equal to Him in the world. Your power and prowess are infinitesimally small when compared with the infinite power of Rama. You will only bring about the destruction of your life and kingdom!’

 

Inflamed by the words of Maricha, Ravana roared: ‘O Maricha! You are giving too much credit to the hapless and helpless humans who are roaming in the forest. Sita is fit to be with me for I am omnipotent and omniscient.’ Ravana then sternly warned Maricha that he would kill him, if he did not obey him. (SSB 1996, p. 52)

 

He (Maricha) told Ravana that they are not of the common run of Princes. He advised him against such wild enterprises. He argued long and lovingly with Ravana, to dissuade him.

 

But passion had made Ravana blind to the dictates of duty and morality. So, he threatened to punish Maricha if he did not yield to his will (and he would be beheaded.) (RKRV Part II, p. 45)

 

Prefers a death by the Divine Hands:

Maricha thought within himself. ‘Either way, my life is in danger. Rather than die at the hands of this wicked Ravana, it is better for me to meet with my death from the Divine hands of Rama.’ It was with the desire to be slain by Rama that Maricha agreed to obey Ravana s command. It was thus a Rakshasa who first recognised the divinity of Rama. It was later that Vishwamitra announced Rama s divinity. (SSS Vol.23, p. 45)

 

Maricha decided within himself that it was better to die at the hands of Rama than of the Rakshasa that Ravana was. He agreed to the proposal that Ravana laid before him, and got ready to play his part in the conspiracy. (RKRV Part II, p. 45)

 

Maricha feels blessed and free from sin:

Ravana and Maricha were arguing how best to enter the hermitage to execute their nefarious design. Maricha was disgusted at the passion and perversity of Ravana, but he did not have the courage to deny him his own complicity. He had no inclination to die at the hands of such a wicked person. So, he accepted the role Ravana granted him and agreed to do as he wanted. Maricha changed his form into a fascinating golden deer, a form that was certain to attract the admiration of Sita and Rama. He thought within himself; ‘Ah, what an auspicious day is this that has dawned! I am about to be blessed in a few moments with the vision of the three most charming individuals on earth! On me will fall the looks of Sita. Then, Rama will follow me, with bow and arrow in hand. Ah, how fortunate am I! I am the servant, who has to tread on the footsteps of Rama; but my Master will follow me now. Of course, I know that I am engaged in a most heinous action; but I am forced into it. I do not act according to my will. I am being forced into it, and so, I am free from sin. Whatever sin I have perpetrated, when Rama’s arrow shot by Rama’s hand strikes me, this artificial form will disappear. That will be my happy destiny. Can all aspire for such an end, can all people achieve it? And I will have another piece of good fortune. When I draw my last breath, my eyes will be fixed on Rama! That Divine Beauty will be in front of me. The sweet Name will be on my tongue! Ah, how fruitful has my life become! I do not find anyone luckier than I.’ (RKRV Part II, p. 50)

 

Maricha takes on the form of a golden deer:

Maricha thought to himself: ‘If I do not obey Ravana I will definitely die at his hands. On the other hand, if I come to You, Rama, as a golden deer, You will chase me and I will certainly die at Your hands. Either way, death is inevitable. It is better to die by Your hands than by those of wicked Ravana.’ So praying, he agreed to carry out the wish of Ravana. Maricha then turned himself into an enchanting golden deer and played about in the vicinity of Rama’s hut in Panchavati. (SSB 1996, p. 52)

 

Maricha dwelt on these sweet thoughts, as he walked slowly towards the hermitage. The all-knowing Rama and the all-knowing Sita were both awaiting his appearance. The deer approached, hesitatingly and with evident trepidation, the precincts of the cottage. It fixed its looks on Sita and Rama and stood for a while. Then, it frisked and skipped a few paces and peering into a bush of creepers, it entered it out of sheer curiosity, only to come out of it in a trice.

 

Sita’s desire to play with it and exhibiting great attachment to the mysterious deer-

 

Sita, Rama and Lakshmana noticed its antics and admired its appearance. Seeing that it had a golden skin, they decided that it was a strange species of deer. They noted its special characteristics and were fascinated by its charm. Sita said, ‘If only I could have this deer with me, I could spend time happily in its company. When you two are engaged in things concerning you alone, I could be happy playing with this unique pet. Please catch this bright little animal for me. Can you not fulfil this tiny wish of mine, so that I can entertain myself when alone, fondling it and watching it play about?’ Sita appealed thus, exhibiting great attachment to the mysterious deer.

 

Noticing this, Lakshmana rose from his seat, saying, ‘Mother! I shall get it for you.’ Rama stopped him. … Lakshmana did not know the drama that was being enacted with this as the prologue. He said, ‘Lakshmana! It has to be caught, without inflicting any wound or injury. So, I have myself to pursue it and catch it. I have myself to fulfil this wish of Sita.’ At this, Lakshmana was silenced and he sat down, as directed by Rama.

 

Moreover, since the subsequent scenes of the drama were known to both Sita and Rama, Rama kept it to himself, while he said: ‘Lakshmana, this forest is the dwelling place of Rakshasas… Do not leave Sita alone, under any circumstance. This deer might escape me and flee into the distance. I have to catch it alive; so, it may take some time for me to accomplish this task. Or use your intelligence and physical prowess as suits the occasion, and save Sita from any danger that might threaten her while I am away.’

 

Rama shoots the fatal arrow to fell Maricha:

 

 

Rama then stalked the strange deer and went beyond sight. The deer did not cast its looks forward, but ran fast with its head bent backwards, its eyes cast on Rama, the pursuer! Seeing this behaviour, Rama was delighted. Rama knew that the deer was Maricha himself, his great devotee who had experienced and realised the Rama Principle and the Rama Power. So Rama too fixed his eyes on the deer and followed its gait with great interest. The deer came within reach one moment, but it sprang afar with one leap, to attract Rama to a little more distance. Rama seemed to be enjoying this tantalising pursuit. But after some time spent thus, Rama fitted an arrow on his bow and aiming at the deer he released it straight on the target.

 

When the fatal arrow struck him, Maricha exclaimed in agony, ‘Ha! Sita! Ha! Lakshmana!’ and collapsed on the ground. (RKRV Part II, pp. 51-53)

 

Chance to be killed by Rama’s arrow

 

 

The Gita Speaks of bhakti, karma, as yogas and by yoga is meant what Patanjali intended it to mean: (citta vritti nirodha, that is, stilling of the agitations of the Mind-stuff). Vishnu is the supreme exemplar of this calm, for He is Shanta karam Bhujaga shayanam, the very picture of peaceful calm, though reclining on a thousand – hooded serpent; the snake being the symbol of the objective world with its poisonous fangs. Being in the world but not of it, not bound by it- that is the secret. Maricha gave up even the urge to live when he got the chance to die at the hands of Rama, with the eyes fixed on the charm of that Divine Form. He knew that Rama was, as he said, ‘Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah’ – Dharma is cognisable form. So he thanked for the chance given to him to him to be killed by Rama’s arrow. (SSS Vol. 6, p. 131)

(See - Sita)