Miscellaneous - Religion   

Instruction by example

CHENNAI: The incarnation of the Supreme Being as Lord Rama is to protect the righteous, destroy the wicked and re-establish dharma — the rule of law, virtue and peace. This incarnation assumes a unique status because apart from the explicit reason of killing Ravana, the implied purpose is the Lord's role as a preceptor who teaches by way of practical demonstration the manner in which one should live in this world, abiding by the high ideals of dharma and truth, social and cultural values, etc., that form the basis of human existence, said Dr. Sudha Seshaiyan in a lecture.

All the theoretical aspects of truth and dharma contained in the scriptures find a dramatic and convincing representation as Lord Rama lives out these values in their true spirit. In this incarnation, the Lord personally went through much physical, emotional, mental and psychological challenges to teach mankind the lessons of life.

It is necessary for every individual to learn to cope with the swings in fortune that are inevitable and likely to give rise to problems relating to family life, kingship, friendship, enemies, etc. Life is fraught with joy and sorrow and the goal of life is to get relieved from the cycle of birth.

People should understand the ephemeral nature of life, and the opportunities human birth offers to transcend Samsara. He not only showed the route, but also went in the path of dharma to establish the merits of leading a virtuous life.

In the inspired retelling of the events in this incarnation as Lord Rama, the poet Kamban's deep devotion to the Supreme Being is as much manifest as is the emphasis on the values and virtues that the Lord embodies. The poet's idealistic description of the peace, contentment and tranquillity in the kingdom of Kosala under the golden reign of Dasaratha places high value on the principles of dharma that was an integral part of life. The only want for this ideal king in an ideal society was that he was still childless. On the advice of Sage Vasishta, after the king performed the Putrakameshti Yaga under the auspices of Sage Rishyasringa, the Lord descended on earth as Dasaratha's son.

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