Dharma in the Ramayana - Essay Example

Myth Analysis: Dharma in the Ramayana of the of the Concerned 27 June Ramayana happens to be one of the twosupreme epics of the Hindu religion. On salient aspect of Ramayana is that each of the characters in this epic affiliates allegiance to the concept of Dharma (righteous behavior) and moulds and aligns one’s actions in consonance with this concept. The beauty of this epic is that every character in it be it Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata or Hanuman lead one’s entire life dedicated to the duties and responsibilities accrued by one in the light of one’s Dharam or the righteous behavior attributed to one, thereby creating varied role models in the sphere of human behavior. In that context, Ramayana not only makes an interesting story but also facilitates much guidance to one in the path of righteous behavior. Perhaps, that is why the Hindu religion attributes such a huge importance to this epic. Ramayana not only sheds much light on how a family man ought to lead life and face the hardships one comes across in the sphere of one’s duties as a family man and a public figure, but also has an undeniable spiritual aspect associated with it. Thereby, the concept of Dharma that is of prime relevance in this epic needs to be analyzed and understood so as to have a deep insight into the spirit of Ramayana. As per the Hindu theology, the human intellect and reason face immense challenges from the distractions and deviations created by the five senses. These senses give way to afflictive emotions like anger, greed, lust, attachment and arrogance which deflect a person from the rightful duties expected from one as a social and spiritual being (Narayan 85). Wrapped amidst this anger, greed, lust, attachment and arrogance, it is imperative that each sphere of the human life is defined in the light of an order of actions and duties that lead to the maximum fulfillment of the human life in this world and in the next world (Narayan 85). Thereby, Dharam happens to be a well defined order of actions and duties imposed on the human being as a worldly and spiritual being, enjoined on one so that one could lead a fulfilled and socially constructive life. At least, this is the essence of Dharma in the Indian epic Ramayana. In the light of this definition it needs to be understood that the Hindu religion accrues varied duties to an individual towards one’s parents, wife, children and other family members in a hierarchical order that collectively constitute the Dharma or the righteous behavior expected of an individual. In that context, propriety towards one’s parents and the king command a supreme importance in this hierarchy of human duties. In Ramayana, duty or Dharma is rooted in affiliation to one’s social standing and commands precedence over one’s personal interest and emotional makeup. That is why each of the characters in Ramayana shows such a consistency of behavior, even though sometimes such a behavior goes contrary to a character’s self interest and emotional makeup. This idea of righteous behavior is quiet contrary to the Greek and Roman ideas of heroic actions. While the Greek and the Roman mythology give precedence to individual ambition, a warrior like decisiveness and pursue of self interest, the Hindu idea of righteous behavior gives importance to propriety, selflessness, self effacement and sacrifice. This becomes amply clear as one analyzes the actions of varied characters in Ramayana. Rama happens to be the eldest son and the righteous heir to the throne of Ayodhya. However, his father, in order to fulfill a promise he made to one of his three wives Kakeye who is moved by adharma or evil, ordered Rama’s banishment. Rama, instead of being aggravated or getting angry as would have been expected of a Greek or Roman hero, effaces his personal ambition and agrees to accept banishment as a mark of his deference towards his duties as a son and a subject (Menon, 87). While doing so, Rama not only emerges as an epitome of an obedient son but rather sets a standard that the other sons need to emulate. His newlywed wife Sita begged to accompany Rama to the forest to lead a life of penury and hardship rather than staying in the palace and enjoying all the worldly joys and pleasures. For Sita says, “Is not the wife’s Dharma to be at her husband’s side? Let me walk ahead of you so that I may smooth the path for your feet (Menon 71).” In that sense one does need to mention the role of Rama’s younger son Lakshmana. The king only ordered Rama to banishment. However, Lakshmana on seeing this insisted on following Rama to the forest, leaving behind his young and beautiful wife. Even as per the dictums of Dharma, Lakshmana was not under any obligation to follow Rama in his banishment. However, Lakshmana supersedes the constraints of Dharam, being an epitome of brotherly love and decides to join his elder brother. Kakeye wanted to banish Rama because she wanted to see her son Bharata on the throne of Ayodhya. However, when Bharata comes to know what his mother has done, moved by brotherly Dharma, he follows Rama to the forest and begs him to change his decision, which Rama denies. So Bharata places Rama’s sandals on the throne of Ayodhya and continued to rule as a regent for the fourteen years while Rama stayed in the forest. The story of Ramayana would be incomplete without the mention of Hanuman the monkey. Though Hanuman exceeded any living being in strength and intellect, still he accepted Rama as his God and master and remained a celibate his entire life so that he could well serve his God and master Rama (Buck, Triest & Nooten 1). In the absence of the concept of Dharma or righteous behavior, the epic Ramayana will simply not make any sense. It is only when one interprets the actions of various characters in Ramayana in the light of Dharma that the meaning of Ramayana with its inherent spirit of propriety and sacrifice comes to fore. Works Cited Buck, William, Triest, Shirley & Nooten, B.A.Van. Ramayana. New York: University of California Press, 2000. Print. Narayan, R.K. The Ramayana. New York: Penguin Classics, 2006. Print. Menon, Ramesh. The Ramayana. New York: North Point Press, 2004. Print. Read More