Childhood ideals & the Warrior codes in Hindu myths

I was in the middle of another post, when these thoughts started to pour out. It concerns some of the Hindu pics and my childhood ideals – that have do still stay with me  – on matters of loyalty, duty and the warrior code!

Although most people are familiar with my magical and spiritual workings with the western pagan god-form `Hern the Hunter’ – that is a recent development (well, in the last 10-15 years…if you can call it recent).   My mythology and spiritual learning began much much longer – probably around 6 or 7 years of age ( I say that because I can’t quite remember anything much before that age).

I was taken to Hindu temples and became involved in long rituals …at such young age – .  way back in Sri Lanka, by my Uncle Raveenthiran & aunt Ratna (I call them Periyappa and Periyamma- meaning big-father and big-mother in Tamil). And at those ages, and through them, through those temples, and through reading Hindu epics and mythologies such as the Mahabharatham & Ramayanam, I have learnt so many ideals and morals…  that they still flow and glow in my soul.  In school, I only learnt the basics. But at home, I started reading a whole set of Hindu mythology books and epics – in detail. That was my hobby – reading.  I don’t ever recall anyone – parent, teacher or a priest – teaching me codes of behavior  values and ideals. Am sure they did – but  not in the way we see it done in some  heroic  film – where a young person / warrior is taught some deep mysteries and secrets and ideals by a powerful sage-like priest, in some ashram or a woodland retreat or a secret cave.

No, what I learnt came from those books..  those Hindu myths and epics..  and here were a lot of wars in them. And families, friends, Kings & Queens, Empires and Armies were often divided by their ideals and loyalties. Conflicts and challenges ensued. And true Heroes were tested to breaking points – and made sacrifices for sake of genuine duty..and progress (They never made compromises!).

A warrior has a duty and it is okay to do battle with even your own kind- as long as it is for a just cause, and one is doing his or her duty – says Lord Krishna through Bhagavathgeeta, and  yes it is okay to fight demons who have taken your loved ones, or done injustice to those under your protections – says Ramayana.

These have taught me to never be afraid – to face adversity, or engage in battles – if it becomes necessary. And that makes it necessary?  Justice of course – and fairness!   And sometimes, as I have found in recent years, that involves fighting for personal justice or to be treated fairly. And that means having a genuine hearing of facts and evidence, not just circumstantial or contrived. It also means being given the benefit of the doubt. And if none of these are forthcoming- then what remains is a battle for delivery of justice.

And sometimes – just sometimes- people need to be reminded what Justice is..  That was a noble cause for ancient Kings and mythical Heroes of religious epics.  I think that still stands – in a world of games and changing loyalties.

-Mani Navasothy