Rama, the eternal guide
12 14 16 17 19 21 22
Separate from husband, wanting change (4)
Arouses strong passion with drink (5,2)
Bit of Chanel for model, great perfume (7)
Pastries covered by mould, most substandard (7)
French artist and damsel cuddling at start of exhibition (7) Maudlin lyrics enthral thoroughly (4)
Only remaining option for starlets desperately wanting lead in
films (4,6)
Dress up bride more extravagantly (9)
Throwing one rope to save person who is doomed (5)
◣-ray with anterior end of coronoid fractured is unusual (13)
Top doctor and a nurse, drifting apart (7)
Get closer perhaps after drinking rum heartily in English city (10) Lives on rent in small island (5)
Sing to entertain, roaming endlessly, playing musical instrument
(9)
Retired chaps conserving oriental tree (4)
Issue of rebellion ousting head of state (7)
Stall serving starter of meat pie outside lodge by castle (4,3,4) Where tenant's complaints go exactly (2,3,6)
Caught with target slaughtered, star conceals firearm (10)
Finish golf stroke, employing power to speed up ball (3,4,2)
Sick boy overwhelmed by viral disease - getting case containing medicine (7)
One who's contemptuous of striker's first free kick (7)
Knocking back Italian wine, getting drowsy (5)
Tower's burning, I hear (4)
Solution to previous puzzle
Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku
Sceptics may wonder if Rama, who lived in Tretha Yuga, could be a guiding force in today’s Kali Yuga. Rama is relevant for all ages and for people from all walks of life, said Dhamal S. Ramakrishnan in a discourse. Nammazhwar had said, “Karpar irama piranai allal matrum karparo?” (Would those who analyse priyam [pleasure] and hitham [aspects which do good], learn about anyone other than the great Rama?). If one is struggling in the choppy sea of life, one needs to look no further than the nuanced Ramayana to stay aoat.
Rama made no distinction between the rich and the poor, the mighty and the weak, a king or his subject, he treated everyone with respect and reiterated the importance of getting along with everyone in this world. When confronted by challenges, he applied the principle of mata, pita, guru, deivam.
In the Bala Kandam, Rama exemplies the role of a student, regardless of his high birth. When sage Viswamitra asked him to kill Tataka as she is no gentle woman but a cruel monster, Rama replied, “The Vedas say obey mata, pita and guru. Therefore, I shall comply.” Similarly, he stepped on and released Ahalya from the curse of being a stone. In Mithila, when his guru instructed him to bend Siva’s bow, Rama complied.