Revisiting Nela-Nela Vennela in Houston

The Houston Telugu Cultural Association (TCA) has been conducting ‘Nela-Nela Telugu Vennela,’ a long-running literary programme, as a continuing ‘Yajna of Letters.’ I was fortunate to be invited to participate in the later part of its very first year in 2009. Whenever I visit Houston, I make it a point to be part of this cherished gathering.

The 172nd monthly Telugu Vennela held on August 22 became yet another memorable occasion for me: one filled with warmth, affection and a rare sense of honour. I was to speak on an absorbing subject: ‘Some interesting and lesser-known aspects of Valmiki Ramayana,’ before a highly literate gathering at the Sugar Land residence of Sai and Lalitha Rachakonda. A Houston-based close friend Sudesh Pillutla, with an exceptional understanding of the Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana, as well as Andhra Valmiki Ramayana of Vasudasa Swamy, facilitated this platform for me.

Members of the Telugu Vennela team, and prominent personalities from the Telugu literary world not only participated but also converted the occasion into a joint learning session.

Chilukuri Satyadev delighted the audience with his Ramayana verses, while Palaparthi Indrani’s powerful rendering of a Sri Sri-Style poem won the admiration of the gathering.

I highlighted that the Valmiki Ramayana is not merely a story that has been heard through generations. Within this familiar narrative lie numerous fascinating details, subtle insights and valuable lessons for life. The epic opens itself to newer meanings.

Excerpts of my views: The Valmiki Ramayana is not merely a story being heard repeatedly through generations. Within this familiar narrative lie numerous fascinating details, subtle insights and valuable lessons for life. The epic opens itself to newer meanings. Valmiki Maharshi introduces, through the story itself, to Sri Rama’s personality, ordinary and exceptional forms of dharma, Raja Dharma, family responsibilities, friendship, leadership, administration and devotion to duty. The words and conduct of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Hanuman, Sugriva, Mandara, Shurpanakha, Ravana and Angada reveal many dimensions of human nature.

Not every statement in the Ramayana needs to be confined to a single interpretation. A thought expressed in one context can acquire a deeper philosophical significance when viewed from another. Some episodes teach us dharma; some illuminate leadership; some hold up a mirror to human nature; and others remarkably remind us of the society in which we live today, including personality development. That is why the Ramayana should not be regarded merely as an epic belonging to the past. It can also be seen as a timeless text that helps us understand life.

The story may be familiar, but there are always aspects within it that remain to be discovered. One of the greatest principles emerging from the life of Sri Rama is simple: before telling others what they should do, one must sincerely and fearlessly practise it oneself. Rama remains the supreme example of this human value. He never abandoned his duty. The sixteen distinctive qualities of Sri Rama described by Narada are a guide to the values by which a human life should be shaped.

The episode involving Vishwamitra and Dasharatha reveals the subtlety of keeping one’s word. The story of Ahalya has acquired interpretations that are not supported by the Valmiki text. She was not cursed to become a stone. Gautama condemned her to a harsh life of penance, and Rama’s arrival brought about her release.

Vishwamitra’s journey also teaches that spiritual achievement remains incomplete until anger and desire are brought under control. Brahminhood, in this deeper sense, is not merely a status acquired by birth but a way of life in which one has mastered the forces of desire and anger.

Rama’s conduct as heir apparent also reveals a remarkable model of governance. Although Dasharatha possessed the authority to appoint Rama, he consulted citizens, elders and other kings and sought their approval repeatedly. Even Mandara, who instigated Kaikeyi, despite being a maidservant invokes Raja Dharma in presenting her argument. And that is Valmiki.

When Bharata came to the forest and pleaded with Rama to return to Ayodhya, Rama explained Raja Dharma in terms of responsible administration: entrusting responsibilities to capable people and governing through a righteous system. Shurpanakha’s criticism of Ravana awas not merely an expression of personal humiliation; it also contained a critique of his declining leadership and governance. The familiar ‘Lakshmana Rekha,’ however, finds no mention in the Valmiki Ramayana. The friendship between Rama and Sugriva remains one of the epic’s finest examples of mutual trust and commitment.

Sugriva’s detailed description of countries, rivers, mountains and geographical boundaries before sending the vanara forces in search of Sita reveals an astonishing knowledge of ancient geography: almost a precursor to the maps and navigational systems we rely upon today. When Angada contemplated rebellion, Hanuman preserved the unity of the vanara kingdom through his extraordinary intelligence and the appropriate use of the traditional strategies of conciliation, gifts, division and force.

After Hanuman destroyed the Ashoka grove, Ravana did not immediately deploy his entire army. He sent successive forces: Kinkaras, the sons of ministers, commanders and finally Aksha Kumar, displaying organised military strategy and crisis management.

The grand coronation of Sri Rama guided by Vasishtha, and Sita’s presentation of her pearl necklace to Hanuman in recognition of his wisdom and valour are equally interesting. The ‘Phala Shruti’ of the Ramayana declares that its recitation dispels sorrow. Several participants offered added insights and thus, it was a great joint learning session, Indeed.

I offer my heartfelt special thanks to Sudesh Pillutla and the entire Telugu Vennela team for this unforgettable opportunity. The evening in Houston was an occasion of gratitude, friendship, family, literature and, above all, a renewed journey into the timeless world of the Ramayana.

Yet strategy cannot succeed when its foundation is injustice. Hanuman, instead of describing his own valour, conveyed Sita’s safety in just a few words.

The ‘Phala Shruti’ of the Ramayana declares that its recitation dispels sorrow. Several participants offered added insights and thus, it was a Great Joint Learning Session Indeed. I offer my heartfelt special thanks to Sudesh Pillutla and the entire Telugu Vennela team for this unforgettable opportunity. The evening in Houston was an occasion of gratitude, friendship, family, literature and, above all, a renewed journey into the timeless world of the Ramayana.

On this occasion, specially to be mentioned guests were T Jagannath and his wife, aged 80+ and 90+, respectively, who nevertheless enthusiastically and occasionally participated in the deliberations.

An elite member of the Travelers Century Club who has toured over 100 countries, he still actively travels to witness major global spectacles, from the FIFA World Cup and the US Open to the upcoming Olympic Games, embodying an untamed spirit of adventure.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao[email protected]