Lessons from Ramayana – Part 3

Hinduism is said not to be a belief but a way of life. Hinduism doesn’t have one single holy book, or one person who started it; or not even a single sacred place to revere. The set of beliefs practiced by Hindus are diverse. This attitude of Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma as it is also called reflects at many places and times. These days, I am reading ‘Ramayana’ by C. Rajgopalachari who gives wonderful descriptions of the tales fitted to the modern times. He mainly uses descriptions from Valmiki, as well as brings comparative portions from Tulasi Ramcharitmanas and Tamil poet Kamban wherever required.

Here is an interesting episode from the Ramayana.

One morning in early winter the three went as usual to the Godavari for their bath and to offer their morning prayers and fetch water for the day’s needs. They walked conversing about the beauty of the season. Lakshmana thought of Bharata and how he would then be busy performing the ceremonies appropriate to the month.

He said: “Bharata is entitled to live in ease but he has taken on himself a life of hardship in the forest. My heart is full of sorrow for him. Even in this cold weather poor Bharata no doubt eats sparingly and sleeps on the bare floor. This cold morning he too is probably walking towards Sarayu! Pure in mind and speech and conduct, renouncing all pleasures, he lives a life of austerity for our sake. He is exactly like our dear father and quite the opposite of his mother. How could so cruel a woman in Kaikeyi bear so good a son?”

Raama stopped him, saying, “Talk as much as you like of Bharata and our father, but stop condemning Kaikeyi. All that you say of Bharata is true and my thoughts too today go for him in love….”

Thus thinking longingly of home and Bharata they batched in the Godavari on that early winter morning. After offering oblations to their ancestors and prayers to the sun, Raama rose transfigured like the Lord Shiva and returned to the aashrama with Seeta and Lakshmana.

(Chap 31, ‘The Soorpanakha Episode’, Ramayana, C.R., P194-195)

Shri Ram allowed Lakshman to say good words about Bharat and their father, but as soon as he started criticizing Kaikeyi, he stopped him. The reasons why he stopped him could be many. Ram knew that Kaikeyi was not really to be blamed for all that had happened. Destiny makes way for us to fulfil the purpose of our life and people are merely means. Kaikeyi sent Ram to the forest so that he could fulfil the reasons for his Avatara. Ram was born to eliminate Rakshashas and Ravan from the earth, and a lot of things had to fall in place in order for him to do it effectively. Also, we should not forget that Kaikeyi had fallen into confidence of her maid Manthara and hence done all the wrong she could. In any case, no good was to be achieved by venting anger against her. Ram had obeyed the wish of his father because that was his dharma. He received the hardships coming his way with a smile on his face and that is why we would always read Ramayan – Ram’s story – and would take inspirations from him. If Kaikeyi would not have made such wrong demand – Ram’s glory would not have become such great for us to see and learn from.

Also, I think Ram knew the futility of criticism. Negative criticism can only prepare one’s heart for more of negativity and is of no good use. Also, gossiping and criticizing others is considered sin in Indian culture and these signs of idle minds are discouraged. I think Ram’s gesture indicates towards that.

- Rahul