Central to Visishtadvaita philosophy is the Dvaya mantra which teaches the Jivatma the Bhava (spirit) behind the act of surrender — Saranagati. The Jivatma is able to understand the full implication of seeking the divine feet of Sriman Narayana who is always with Goddess Sri, so that one becomes
qualified to receive His grace. In addition, the inseparable nature of the Divine couple is equally
established.
The Lord and His consort are ever engaged in the task of caring for the Jivatma. In the event of granting pardon or salvation, the role of the divine mother is a
cut above that of the Lord, and the various contexts in the Ramayana hail this aspect of Goddess Sri, pointed out Akkarakani Srinidhi Swamy in a lecture. The
boundless grace of the divine mother stretches equally to all Jivatmas, especially the erring ones, whom she wishes to protect at any cost.
During their stay at Chitrakoota, Kakasura, Indra’s son in disguise, had committed an outrage on Sita’s modesty. When Rama came to know of it his anger
knew no bounds and he used a blade of grass as the Brahmastra. The offending crow now fled from pillar to post and found that in all the three worlds there
was none who could protect it. It came back to Rama and fell at His feet.
Sita relates this very personal incident to Hanuman in Asoka Vana as a token of remembrance to be conveyed to Rama. Though she speaks highly of Rama’s compassion and His readiness to give protection to the crow even though it merited death for the kind of offence it had committed, it is her proximity that enabled the crow’s surrender to be
effective. Rama told the crow that the effect of the Brahmastra could not be taken away and in
accordance to the crow’s plea, the right eye became the target to save its life.
Earlier, when Lakshmana was very keen to follow Rama to the forest, Rama seemed relentless to give consent. It was only when he petitioned his cause in the presence of Sita later, that Rama permitted him. Sita graced Sugriva ahead of his friendship with Rama when she chose him to be the custodian of the bundle of her jewels.
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