In a Christian society, we learn many lessons through the Bible. As children we are taught stories from the Bible, and what we can learn from them. From the story of David and Goliath, we learn the importance of Faith, and how we can conquer our own spiritual giants. When Joseph in Egypt accepted his brothers back into his life, we learned the importance of forgiveness. Much like Christians learn values from the Bible, Hindus find morals in their own religious book, The Ramayana. These proper codes and conducts of Indian society are exemplified through the actions of Rama, and especially his dealings with his brothers Lakshmana, his wife Sita, his mother Kaikeyi, and his father Dasaratha.
Rama and his brother Lakshmana exemplify the love brothers should have for one another. Whenever Rama is going through trials and hardships, Lakshmana is always there to help and support him. When Sage Viswamithra, Rama’s lifelong teacher and mentor, asked Dasaratha for Rama’s protection on a journey, Dasaratha asks if Lakshmana may accompany them stating that “Rama has never been separated from his brother Lakshmana” (10). They left Ayodhya together and after their journeys were standing side by side and greeted their father together. Lakshmana is constantly standing by Rama’s side, and supporting him. After learning that Rama would not be crowned king because of the cunning works of his mother, Lakshmana threatens “Rama shall be crowned, and whoever comes in the way will be annihilated… I’ll seize the crown and will not rest till I place it on Rama’s head” (51).
Jealousy and hatred toward his brother is not what drives Lakshmana. Instead he is filled with nothing but love and respect for his brother, and aspires to honor and protect him. After being humbled by Rama, Lakshmana agrees to Rama’s exile, and “follow[s] him stubbornly” (53). Lakshmana leaves his own wife, who he received when Rama and Sita were married, as well as the comforts of his own home to protect and look after his brother during his 14 years of exile. The watchful protection of Lakshmana comes to good use when Sita is being followed by a disguised demon named Soorpanaka. “Post[ing] himself, as normally he did, on an eminence shaded with trees, and watching in all directions”, made it easy to spot Soorpanaka. He sprang down on her, and protected Sita (69). Putting his brother’s need over his own, he considers himself as his “brother’s keeper”, contrary to the story of Cain and Abel in our Christian Bible (King James Bible, Gen. 4:9).
From Rama’s relationship with Sita, an example of the perfect marriage union is envisioned. The moment Rama saw Sita, he was “arrested by her beauty”, and the moment he left, her mind “became uncontrollably agitated” (23). Their love continues to blossom to the point that Sita is only alive when she is with Rama, and that when with her husband, “a forest or a marble palace is all the same” (53). Living her entire life in a luxurious palace, and never experiencing anything different, this was a big change for Sita. She asks “what would be the meaning of my existence?” without Rama (53). Wherever Rama goes, is where Sita wants to be. Stubbornly, Sita states to Rama “I’m coming with you; my place is at your side wherever you may be” during the remainder of the next fourteen years (53). The true love a man and a wife are illustrated here much like Jacob, and his 14 years of service for Rebecca in the Bible.
Although Rama was not born of Kaikeyi, he considers her his mother, and respects her will no matter what it is. Even though Kaikeyi has exiled Rama to the forest for 14 years, and has bestowed the crown upon his younger brother, he still respects and will not speak ill of her. When Lakshmana was angry with Kaikeyi, Rama defends his mother saying, “You must not utter such bitter remarks about people who after all are none other than your father and mother… mak[ing] no distinction between mother and stepmother” (51). It pains Rama to hear people speak bad about his mother, so he defends her saying that “Kaikeyi is the one who deserves to inherit this kingdom, having saved [Dasaratha’s] life and being assured of his gratitude; it is Bharatha’s privilege”(52). Because of his understanding ability, Rama is able to look at the situation rationally rather than emotionally as the citizens did. Rama sees this change in plans as a sign from the gods, and that his “privilege is renunciation and the association of enlightened hermits of the forest” (52). Accepting his fate, he moves on and looks at it in an optimistic way. Sons shouldn’t question the demands of their parents, but obey them blindly. “It is my duty to obey her also, since she derives her authority from my father” explained Rama (54). Through her husband’s power, corrupted or not, she has the authority to command Rama to do whatever she feels necessary, and Rama is willing to accept it.
Dasaratha’s love for Rama and Rama’s love for his father Dasaratha is a wonderful thing to behold. The importance of faith and obedience are shown through this father son relationship. Rama declares that he will “carry out [Dasaratha’s] wishes without question” and also that he “will not shirk” (45). The orders given by his father are much more important than orders by anyone else including a guru. Vasishtha commands Rama to “return to Ayodhya as King”, to which Rama replies “My parents, who have given me my body and mind, are higher than a guru” (60). Dasaratha’s wish was for Rama to be in exile “fourteen years hence” and for Bharatha to king (60). Not even hesitating, Rama accepts his father’s command, and sees no other point of view.
When Jesus spoke in parables in the New Testament, he didn’t want to just give the answers, but wanted them to seek after them. People “seeing see not; and hearing…hear not” think they know doctrines, but in reality don’t (King James Bible, Matthew, 13:13). The Indian culture has this story filled with many different parables written into it to learn from, and pattern their lives after. If they follow the lessons learned from this story, they can become enlightened.
Sources:
The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic – R.K. Narayan
