Reclaiming our History | Decoding the Ramayana: The *real* Shri Ram: Whether he was a "bad husband" and what is "Ram-Rajya"? (Part-V)

Author's Note: Please visit - The 'Real' Ramayana/ Ram-Rajya - to read the other parts of this series, so as to be able to fully understand or grasp the contents of this one.

*Who* really is a 'fire-born'? *How* was Draupadi born? *What* was the procedure through which Shri Ram and his siblings born? *What* sort of humans does the 'Ram-avatar' represent? A *horned* human - is it possible? *What* wondrous technologies were known to our ancients?

Let us now discuss as to: *what* really the 7^th avatar (of the 'Dasavatara') - popularly known as the 'Ram-avatar' - represent or signify. We will also discuss *who* Rishi Rishyasringa was and *why* he was named Rishyasringa (meaning: the 'deer-horned'). And what is the 'Unicorn'.

The 'Ram-avatar' does not have anything to do with Shri Ram per se. Shri Ram has been used to depict or signify what is known as the 'Ram-avatar' - so as to convey certain things very clearly.

The 7^th avatar or the 'Ram-avatar' represents yet another set of humans that walked on earth - those not born the natural way. That is: those that were born out of their respective mother's womb, but not conceived naturally.

[Note: Do read PART-III to know *what* really the 4^th 'avatar': the 'Narasimha-avatar' and the 5^th 'avatar': the 'Vaman-avatar' represent or signify.]

Shri Ram and his siblings (Bharat, and the twins: Lakshman and Shatrughna) were not born the natural way. They were not conceived naturally, though their gestation happened in their respective mother's womb.

Shri Ram and his siblings were very clearly born as a result of IVF therapy.

... But it was a very advanced In Vitro Fertilization or IVF therapy/technology: where nothing was injected into the body via an operation or through the vagina. It could be ingested!

However, there probably may have been some debate about whether these humans were 'full-fledged humans' or not and whether their presence was 'good' for the rest of the humanity or not - amongst the people of the 2^nd era or the Treta Yug.

After Shri Ram and his brother, Shri Lakshman, proved themselves and achieved various tasks and goals during their 14-year 'van-vaas' (forest-stay), all doubts or debates regarding whether such individuals were 'full-fledged humans' or not, or whether such individuals were 'good' for the rest of the humanity or not, were put to rest. [Note: Do read the other parts of this series to understand what all they achieved. Links provided at the top of this post.]

Humans not born the natural way (i.e. though born out of their respective mother's womb, but not conceived naturally) were accepted as 'full-fledged humans' and as 'good' for society: after Ram, Lakshman, Sita, et al proved their caliber.

And *this* would have undoubtedly helped childless couples. It would have also contributed towards bettering the lot of women, who otherwise have to bear most of the brunt or stigma - for childlessness. And Ram was a benevolent ruler; he looked after his people with filial affection. All this would have undoubtedly contributed towards: Ram-Rajya.

Our ancients used camouflaged language (metaphors, imagery) and coded texts in their writings, but a little attention to the Ramayan makes the above (i.e. IVF therapy) very evident.

However, instead of deciphering our ancient texts, we have mired ourselves in reams and reams of cobweb: conspiracy theories: soap-opera-style, multiple remixes and TRP-linked narratives. [TRP: 'coz whether on the small-screen, the big-screen or via the various stage-plays and wandering theatres, the main purpose has always been to attract the audience, for greater return on investment (RoI). And its not rocket science to figure out what happens then: unlimited spice and tadka.]

The narrative says: Dasaratha had three queens (Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra) yet no offspring or heir. [It is a possibility that he married multiple times in order to beget a son or heir, and this may have been an accepted practice in the 2^nd era - the Treta Yug.]

But given that he had three queens and still no offspring indicate that the medical condition lay with Dasaratha. And no doubt he would have been a very worried man, since after him there would be a succession issue.

We are also told that once on a hunting trip (on the banks of the Sarayu River), in the fading light of the dusk he mistook a young man for a deer (because of the gurgling sound of the pitcher that was being filled with water.) This young man, Shravan Kumar, was the son of a venerated and aged sage, Rishi Shantanu. As soon as he was hit, Shravan cried out in agony. Dashrath realized his mistake and ran to the young boy. He found Shravan badly hit in the chest and lying in a pool of blood. Dashratha was immensely pained at the sight and sought forgiveness. Shravan forgave him, but asked him to take the pitcher of water to his aged and blind parents and quench their thirst. He died soon after.

The remorseful Dasaratha did as told. He narrated the events to the elderly Rishi and his wife. They would, understandably, have been extremely shocked and heart-broken.

Here, the narrative tells us that they 'cursed' Dasaradh: that he too would die of 'putrashouk' (i.e. grieving for a son); and thereafter they (the blind, elderly sage and his wife) too ascended to heaven.

All this is *clearly* camouflaged language, filled with imagery.

I interpret it as: After having inadvertently killed the young Shravan, a remorseful Dasaratha located the blind sage and his wife and narrated the events. The shocked and grief-stricken parents then severely and harshly chastised him. [*This* has been meant as 'curse'.]

[Note: 'Curse' is a metaphor that has been used several times in our ancient texts, essentially to indicate: physical abuse - something that we have discussed in some detail in Part-I. That is: Rishi Kahoda beating his pregnant wife, as a result of which, their son was born deformed in eight places. And therefore, he was named: Ashtavakra.

'Curse' has also been used in our ancient texts to indicate 'severe and harsh chastisement'.

In Raja Dasaratha's case, the metaphor of 'curse' has been used to indicate the second option, i.e. 'severe and harsh chastisement'.]

Dasaratha would have begged forgiveness since whatever had happened had happened inadvertently. He had not done it knowingly or consciously. After hearing out his pleas, the elderly sage and his wife may have been convinced of his innocence and as a result forgiven him too.

Raja Dasaratha may have then shared his worry: that of not having an heir or offspring - with them.

And the aged Rishi Shantanu probably directed him to Rishi Vashisht (also: Vasistha Muni) with the full assurance that Rishi Vasistha knew of or possessed a remedy. Thereafter, Rishi Shantanu and his wife very likely passed away due to cardiac arrest as a result of severe shock and grief. [*This* has been indicated by: their ascension to heaven.]

[Note: Rishi, Muni, Maharshi, Brhmharshi, etc essentially were titles by which learned, venerable and knowledgeable persons were known and referred to - in ancient times. The titles differed, based on the level or the amount of knowledge they possessed and may have been upgraded, once they gathered more knowledge.

Killing a learned person (or a sage and their offspring) may not have been considered a good thing to do, as per the accepted norms in the earlier eras - the Satya/Sat/Krita Yug (1^st era), the Treta Yug (2^nd era) and the Dvapar Yug (3^rd era).

Also: notice the similarity between 'shock' and 'shouk' [as in: 'putrashouk' - that we discussed earlier.]

Now, lets get back to where we left off.

We talked of Rishi Vashisht knowing of or possessing a 'remedy'. Now, *what* could that remedy be?

Here the narrative tells us: that soon after all this (i.e. his encounter with Rishi Shantanu) Raja Dashratha performed two yajnas (also: yagya, yaga or ritual) with the help of Rishi Rishyasringa on the advice of Maharshi Vashistha. One was the 'Ashwamedha'; the other was the 'Putrakameshti'.

We will concentrate on the 2nd one, i.e. the 'Putrakameshti'. So far: it has been thought to be a 'ritual' or 'yagna' performed to beget a son or heir. [Putrakameshti = Putra + kameshti, i.e. to beget a son.]

The narrative says: As the conclusion of the 'Yagna' drew near, 'Agni' sprang out from the 'yagnakunda' and handed Dashratha a pot of 'kheer', advising him to distribute it among his queens.

Here is clearly a bunch of imagery. [Until now, we have mistakenly and literally taken 'Agni' as 'fire'. But none of our ancient texts can be taken at face value.] Here's why:

'Agni' = a metaphor to indicate the 'outcome' of a laboratory/scientific/technological/or medical process.

'Yagna' = a metaphor used to indicate a laboratory or a technological process per se.

'Yagnakunda' = a metaphor to indicate the 'specifics' of any laboratory or technological process. That is: the 'instruments' or the 'method' used or employed in any laboratory or technological process.

The Mahabharat (the itihasa or the history of the 3^rd era, the Dwapar Yug) says that Draupadi emerged from 'agni', along with her brother, Dhristadyumna - from the 'yagnakunda'.

This can be explained as: 'Agni' signifies purity. And anyone born out of a purely laboratory/scientific/medical process that does not require even the gestation to happen within the womb of the mother or even of a surrogate mother, was completely 'agni-born' or of 'pure-birth', in a manner of speaking. [It can perhaps also be euphemistically termed as: virgin-birth.]

Both Dhristadyumna and Draupadi were totally 'agni-born' or 'fire-born'. That is: there was no human element - whatsoever - involved in their birth process. They were (completely) *born* as a result of a very advanced scientific or medical process held in a laboratory.

Now, what could *this* process or technology be? Very obviously: stem cells and 'cloning technology'.

But a very advanced cloning technology that the world has still not seen in the current era (i.e. 5000 years into the 4^th era, the Kali Yug.)

The Mahabharata clearly talks about very advanced technology including some awesome medical technology - stuffs that the modern world is as yet unaware; or has discovered only recently (and that too in lesser forms.)

In the Mahabharat, when they talk about the *birth* of the Kauravas, or more precisely when the manner of their birth is described, I think they are again referring to a very advanced medical science, where babies need not be gestated in the womb of the mother or a surrogate mother. It can happen outside the body!

The Kauravas were born as a result of a 'test-tube' process, where even their gestation happened in *pitcher-shaped incubators*, outside their mother's womb. And given that Gandhari "gave birth to a hard piece of lifeless flesh" after "two years" of remaining "pregnant", one cannot rule out the involvement of *stem cells* and cloning technology. Advanced 'Parthenogenesis' is a possibility as well.

... And to think that we possessed all this knowledge and technology with us - thousands of years ago! In the 2^nd (Treta) and 3^rd eras (Dvapar) itself!! So, what a wondrous land was ancient India then!!!

Now, consider Jarasandha: he was clearly a conjoined baby. The Rakshashi, Jara, separated the useless part (obviously via a surgical or medical procedure)... and hence Jarasandha lived. [Rakshashi = a female cannibalistic human; though some would have been non-cannibalistic too, since say: all modern humans are not non-vegetarians.]

All these should be pointers enough for us to seriously re-think all the self-proclaimed titles of: 'modern', 'developed', 'scientifically advanced', 'technological advancement', and the like that we have bestowed upon ourselves. Even the so-called 'developed' world is not a patch on our ancients.

... And therefore, it is a small wonder that our ancient itihasa or history have been turned into 'epics', 'mythologies' and even 'scriptures'. What ho?! :)

We *must* take a re-look at our ancient texts; we *must* stop taking them at face value or ignoring them as 'epics', 'mythologies', and the like.

Lets get back to the Ramayan and the birth procedure of Shri Ram and his siblings.

As you can see: Shri Ram and his siblings were *not* completely 'agni-born' or 'fire-born' (i.e. of 'pure-birth' or 'virgin-birth'.)

*This* can be concluded from the appearance of the word (rather: metaphor) of 'kheer' (literally: a popular sweet-dish).

The narrative says: As the conclusion of the 'Yagna' drew near, 'Agni' sprang out from the 'yagnakunda' and handed Dashratha a pot of 'kheer', advising him to distribute it among his queens.

Therefore, Shri Ram and his siblings were *very clearly* born as a result of IVF therapy (and since 'kheer' has been the metaphor used for it, the therapy probably was oral, meaning: everything was ingested.)

... So, it was very clearly a very advanced In Vitro Fertilization or IVF therapy/technology: where nothing was injected into the body via an operation or through the vagina. It could be ingested! [As can be inferred from the metaphor of 'kheer'.]

We can also infer that: Rishi Rishyasringa and Maharshi Vashistha have jointly conducted this IVF therapy.

Rishi Rishyasringa was so-named since he is said to have possessed a 'deer-like horn' on his head. [And this too may have contributed towards our itihasa being variously labeled as 'epics', 'mythology' and 'myth'.]

To my mind: this 'horn' was a small growth (on his forehead) that he may have been born with. And hence, he may have been named: Rishyasringa or 'the deer-horned' - after this distinctive feature, just as how Rishi 'Asthavakra' was named after his distinctive feature, the eight deformities he possessed or was born with. [Asthavakra = one who is deformed in eight places. Rishyasringa = the 'deer-horned'. Rishya = deer, Sringa = horn. Since he was also known as Eka-sringa, or the 'one-horned' (also: 'Unicorn'), therefore, the number of horn-like growth on his forehead would not have exceeded one. Also: Rishi Rishyasringa would have undoubtedly contributed towards what we today know as the: Unicorn. But was he the only one? *That* we will discuss in the next post.]

A horned individual or human may not be common but not impossibility either.

Here's why: This elderly Chinese woman has been growing from her forehead a horn than resembles a goat's:

Read more: Link.

Therefore, a horned individual or human is *not* impossibility, right? This should explain the 'Unicorn' *myth* to some extent. What say you?

Rishi Rishyasringa may have sported a somewhat different 'horn', one that may have been further embellished by a few smaller sub-growths or 'sub-horns', and this may have induced the people to think of a 'deer-horn'. Is that not a possibility? What do *you* think?

[Note: Pañcāla Naresh - Raja Drupad - may have commissioned the process (euphemistically referred to as: 'yagna') for a single heir (a male or son). However, the process may have also led to a female or a daughter - Draupadi. Dhristadyumna and Draupadi therefore, may have been twins. [Pañcāla is also known as Panchala.]

It is clearly *not* IVF therapy, since there has been no usage of metaphors like 'kheer'. However, a very advanced process involving stem cells and cloning technology cannot be ruled out (i.e. a process which was far more advanced than the one used to 'sire' the Kauravas'.) Reason being: there is no mention of 'pitcher-shaped incubators'. And hence: an even more advanced version of 'Parthenogenesis' is a possibility too.

Whatever it may be, one thing comes through: not only was the medical technology at the disposal of our ancients extremely advanced, they could also be fairly certain about the gender of the child (or children) born out of such a pure or complete medical process.

As for *how* this was possible, meaning: how could they have had such scientific wonders at their disposal, which we, the self-proclaimed 'advanced and developed' people do not possess - we will discuss in our subsequent posts.]

Parting shot: It saddens me to see *how* yet another great woman, Draupadi no less, has been made the butt of jokes, et al. Frankly, it is not at all difficult to figure out *why* the Mahabharat War happened? Rather: why the Mahabharata War *had to* happen? And *why* Kunti broke the norms of that era and ensured that her daughter-in-law was married to all of her five sons, at once. That is: that Draupadi had 5 husbands - at once.

While: the norms accepted by the society in the 3^rd era (the Dvapar Yug), allowed women to have more than one husband, it was: one at a time. Not together. [This also clearly points towards the extremely skewed male-female ratio prevalent in that era.] Kunti broke this norm. And there is a very big reason behind her action; though it has absolutely nothing to do with the skewed male-female ratio of that era.

If we *only* try to understand the roles played by Shri Krishna, Kunti and Draupadi, the entire history of the 3^rd era (the Dvapar Yug) resting within the pages of the Mahabharat - will be crystal-clear to us. We will then very clearly figure out just *why* Krishna, Kunti and Draupadi did what they did.

Sadly, we are keener to create soap-opera-style narratives involving them. And this has landed our heritage and us in quicksand. As for Draupadi, we have turned this great woman into someone that 'lusted' after Karna! No, she did not. There was no 'revenge' involved either. And neither was Kunti the scheming or tragic figure that various people and entities have collectively and concertedly turned her into. It is us, that lustily debate over: who Draupadi loved the most, whether her husbands, the Pandavas, fought amongst themselves (over her) and the like...!

Frankly: all of this and much more (i.e. all of the various 'topics' for intense 'debates'), is a figment of our collective drought of imagination and propensity towards learning by rote. It is also indicative of the direction modern humanity has taken. Sadly.

(Do stay tuned…)

Picture: The popular depiction of the 7^th avatar (of the 'Dasavatara') - the 'Ram-avatar'. A Chinese woman with a horn on her forehead; a horn that resembles a goat's horn.