The Hindu : Observance of Dharma

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Observance of Dharma

CHENNAI OCT. 22 . Sages have composed the epics and the Puranas describing the advents of the Lord in the world for the edification of humanity and hence they are not just documentation or literary works on His incarnations. Scholars have interpreted the Ramayana of Valmiki as a manual on Dharma and not as a work highlighting devotion. Every incident narrated in this epic throws light on a nuance of Dharma relevant to human conduct in the world. The poet does not portray Rama and Sita as the Divine Couple but as ideal human beings. Thus it is possible for mankind to relate to them and emulate their inimitable qualities. Their righteous conduct guides man during the vicissitudes he faces in his life.

It has been the practice in tradition to address Rama as the Lord and Sita as the Divine Mother but not so as far as His brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna are concerned even though it is stated right at the outset that many in the Lord's abode manifested to aid Him in accomplishing the purpose of His manifestation. When Rama went to the forest to fulfil Dasaratha's promise to Kaikeyi, Sita and Lakshmana accompanied Him, as they were inseparable from Him.

The focus of Valmiki's narration is on the rationale of the Lord's incarnation and hence the poet does not digress and describe, for instance, parting scenes between Lakshmana and his wife, from whom he was separated for 14 long years. Nor is there any description of their reunion after his return to Ayodhya. In fact, the brothers' wives Urmila (Lakshmana's), Mandavi (Bharata's) and Srutakirti (Satrughna's) are mentioned only briefly in the context of their marriages.

In his discourse, Sri S.V.Radhakrishna Sastrigal said Rama upheld Dharma at every instance in His life. Having renounced the throne to uphold His father's words, Rama adopted the daily routine of a hermit the moment he reached the banks of the River Ganga. As far as He was concerned the period of exile was a solemn vow He had to observe which could be seen in the elaborate description of His sojourn in the forest. The epic describes that He practised with the concurrence of Sita and Lakshmana, a disciplined life like eating only fruits and roots, reposing on the ground, dwelling in a hermitage that Lakshmana built for Him and performing the daily prescribed rituals. By His strict adherence He personified Dharma and thereby set an ideal for mankind to adopt in worldly life.

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