When you inherit a post of power and attention, you are deemed with responsiblity to look after the people. By hurling around your personal beliefs, you have not only made yourself look like a fool but also have autmatically dethroned yourself.

Tamil Nadu’s CM should be asked to resign and upon resistance should be kicked out of the country and sent to LANKA(where he belongs) with the help of the military.

Actually, the beauty of Hinduism is that you CAN half ass it.

It’s nice to read different points of view here. I have been on a reading spree the past few months, and am currently trying to get my hand on as many different versions of the Ramayana as possible. The reason? Curiosity. I think someone had asked in a much earlier post if anyone actually ‘believed’ that Ram actually existed. I don’t know if believe is the right word here, but I do ‘think’ he existed.

Whether he was an avatar – now that is the interesting question! It is widely known that the original play/poem has been added on to over the years. And I am sure as the legend grew so did the unbelievable miracles associated with Ram. But to think that Ram essentially came out of no where, and was created by Valmiki, and that suddenly Ram-fever spread like wild fire and captured the hearts and minds of Bharat Varsh is a very difficult feat indeed. Being as diverse as we are, it is difficult for an idea to become so popular and last for as long. Almost like saying Spiderman was created by Spike Lee and then worshiped by all following generations.

But what I find most interesting about the Ramayan, is the way in which it constantly presents opposing arguments. Ravana is essentially a Villian, but he is a devout Brahmin, does Tapasya and does not violate Sita – he wants to win her. Very strange for a villain. Rama is the wronged one, his wife is abducted, and he does save her, but the way he treats her afterwards is not what one would expect a true ‘hero’ to do. Even avatars have their faults!! This is what makes the story so fascinating Noone is perfect – not even Ram!

I found the Lyrics of a song in the Hindi Movie Swades especially interesting, and thats what got me started on my pouring over different versions of the Ramayan : “Man Se Ravan Jo Nikale, Ram Uske Man Mein Hain..” (It would be lost in translation if I explained it in English, or would just appear awkward)

Sri Lanka and India were actually joined as one land mass before the last glacial flooding, so perhaps the Rama Sethu is a remnant of some land formation from back then. Regardless of whether it is holy or not – isn’t it rather amazing that it even exists? Naturally occurring land bridges are a rare enough commodity that I would think they are worth saving anyway. Just my opinion.

I respect those who chose not to follow any faith. At least they have gone through the process of thinking about religion and then decided it is not for them. Mr. K made some rather strong comments on Rama, and I just find that surprising, it just gave me the impression that he is not very tolerant of Ram – Bhakts. But the real shocker was the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court (by the ASI). Almost like they went out of their way.

I don’t think it is fair to single out Tambrahms. In my experience I’ve seen fanaticism across Brahmins and other upper castes from all over India. >Unlike other brahmins, the Tambrahms came under humongous attack from the DKist movement in TN. There were some reform movements like Arya Samaj, >Brahmo Samaj, Ambedkhar movement outside of TN but only in TN the new movement achieved greater success. The other Brahmins have not been seriously >tested compared to that of Tambrahms in TN. So in some ways, they have to form more defensive posture compared to the rest of the Brahmins. A >perfectly valid reaction given the heavy attack they were against.

I’ve seen fanaticism but never with anything like the intensity I’ve seen in Madras. I’ve studied in Madras and I’ve seen out and out Brahmin supremacists in significant numbers. I’ll also say this though: The people I’ve seen who are most dismissive and openly contemptuous of such people are also brahmins. Also in large numbers. And I agree with you; the DK movement was too successful(at least in this regard) and brahmins feel pushed into a corner.

I was only weighing it to point out that the DK movement had a valid reason and a very constructive history of ensuring fairer education and employment. To ensure that downtrodden people had an opportunity to succeed. Whether there is any continued utility in staying with quotas by caste(The biggest TamBrahm gripe) is a legitimate question for debate but a separate and distinct one from a question on the history of the DK.

would it be ok to replace his head with that of an elephant, post decapitation?