Blind following and a Chaotic Feast

Lord Rama with his entourage

This is a story is from Ramayana that heard.After the war with Ravana and Rama returned victorious to Ayodhya with Sita Devi,Lakshman and all his army of Monkeys and bears. Lord Ram was coronated as the King and it was a happy and joyful occasion for everyone. One day there was a invitation from Janak Maharaj, King of Mithila inviting everyone to come and stay for sometime and of course there will be a big feast – Huge Lunch etc. All the monkeys are immediately got excited and wanted to go with Rama to his father in-law's place for the wonderful feast and hospitality that he promised. Lord Ram was hesitant to go, especially with all his monkey army because, after all monkeys are monkeys except few like Hanuman, Angada, Sugriva etc. But all the monkey soldiers immediately pleaded with Ram. Master please let us come with you. We promise you that we will be well behaved and cause no trouble to your reputation nor any inconvenience your father-in law and other relatives.And, then assured him. Look, you and everyone else know how wise and well behaved is our minister Jambavan (the Bear) is. We will all simply follow him and do whatever he does.That way, one can't go wrong. Lord Ram of course who is very magnanimous in heart agreed for this and one the given day Lord Rama and the whole entourage set off to Mithila.

Upon arrival and after exchange of pleasantries, the much awaited lunch feast was served.The monkey and bear soldiers were seated in a huge palace and the food was served. As a part of the menu, fruits including a ripe mango and other items were served to everyone. Now everyone was watching Jambavan trying to act, behave exactly like him. During the course of lunch, Jambavan happened to pick up the soft, juicy mango fruit and before he can eat it, the fruit popped open because of the pressure he applied and the large seed inside the fruit rocketed out into the air. Jambavan was shocked and embarrassed by this sudden mishap and quickly jumped up a little bit from his seat, caught hold of the seed before it landed on others plate or floor. Of course all the monkeys watching Jambavan with rapt attention and  to be true to their word to Ram started following Jambavan act. Everyone started pressing the mango fruits with their full power and of course there was competition about who is doing it better. Some monkeys jumped few feet, others to the ceiling, others to the windows, other went all the way to the top of the palace and came back. There was the seeds of mangos being thrown everywhere, monkeys jumping, things flying out in all directions. This must have been one of the most chaotic lunch feast ever.

So friends, this is what happens when one blindly follows other. That is why, blind following is condemned.

Thus before following anyone or any philosophy, one needs to use their mind, intelligence and reasoning. The Vedic tradition has an internal check system of truth validation. Guru (spiritual master), sastra (revealed scripture) and sadhu (holy persons) must be in harmony and then an issue can be accepted as verified.