The Symbolic Meaning of Ram Throwing Dundubhi’s Bones

Question

In one place it is also written that Ram threw Dundubhi’s bones ten yojanas away with just his toe. Is that also symbolic?

Answer

Yes, that too is symbolic. It is meant to describe the power of Ram — the power of Self-knowledge.

We have been repeatedly discussing that being established in one’s true Self is what Ram represents. To indicate how immense the power of Self-realization is, this symbolic description is given. It does not mean that some physical person named Ram was literally sitting there and threw the bones away with his toe.

In the same way, there is also the story that Krishna lifted Govardhan Mountain with his little finger. Those stories too are symbolic. They are meant to indicate that such beings do not need to struggle greatly. Ram simply threw it away with his toe.

When we become established in Self-knowledge, when we recognize our true nature, when we become the subject and begin using the body as an object, then an extraordinary power awakens within us. Such immense strength appears that even the greatest difficulties can be handled effortlessly, almost instantly.

That is how these stories should be understood. This is the style of the narrative. We are not supposed to extract literal meanings from every single word. We are meant to understand the indications and symbols.

Similarly, when it is said that Ram pierced all seven sal trees with a single arrow, that too is symbolic. There are no literal trees being referred to there. The sal trees symbolize the inner obstacles within us.

If we become established in Self-knowledge, then through the power of mental resolve we can bring all the senses under control in a single moment. The determination of an enlightened person becomes so powerful that they do not need to discipline each sense separately.

So all these are symbolic ways of describing the greatness of Ram.

From the very beginning, whatever we have studied so far has been explaining the glory of Ram — meaning the greatness of becoming established in one’s true Self. Earlier, this greatness was explained in one way, and now in the Sugriva–Vali episode it is being explained in another symbolic way.

So the answer is that when the story says Ram threw Dundubhi’s bones with his toe or killed Vali with a single arrow, all of this is symbolic. These stories are pointing us toward one thing only — we must recognize our true nature and become established in it.

That is the real purpose of all this study. We are not studying this to gain a reputation for scholarship, nor to impress others, nor to develop spiritual ego. The only purpose is to return to our true Self.