Shambuka


Shambuka is, in Hindu mythology, a character in some versions of the Ramayana. According to that version, Shambuka, a shudra ascetic, was slain by Rama for attempting to perform penance. This act of Shambuka was perceived by Rama as the act in violation of dharma as he believed that the bad karma, resulting from this act, caused the death of a Brahmin's son in his kingdom.
The killing of Shambuka appears in the 'Uttarakanda' , sargas 73-76, in the Valmiki Ramayana. Most scholars consider the story as a later interpolation to Valmiki's Ramayana.

Story

Following is the English translation of chapter 73–76 done by Hari Prasad Shastri in his book "The Ramayana of Valmiki: Translated by Hari Prasad Shastri".

Criticism and apologetics

Hindu authors adopt other means to explain the reason behind Rama's killing of Shambuka. The Pushtimarg Vaishnavite tradition points out that the Ramayana refers to other Shudras, such as Shabari, who lived in the forest. Shambuka therefore deliberately violated dharma in order to get Rama's attention, and attained salvation when he was beheaded. The celebrated Kannada poet Kuvempu, in his play Shudra Tapasvi shows Rama as having to both carry out his duty by punishing Shambuka, and simultaneously protect Shambuka, as a pious and devout sage, from persecution, and thereby turns the story into a critique of Brahminical attitudes and a defense of Rama.