Lessons from Ramayana Winner Essay Display

   In the month of September we got our winners of essay writing competition of Lessons they learnt from the epic Ramayana and they have beautifully displayed this through their essays and today we will display them in front of you. 

2nd Place Winner - 

Bala Saraswathy DS 

Our country is famous for its two epics: The ‘Mahabharat’ and the ‘Ramayana’. While  both the epics stick on to the precious gem of dharma, the ‘Ramayana’ holds significant  importance in the life of ordinary people. Many citizens have not understood this concept; but  actually the ‘Ramayana’ holds the basic rights and laws which should be followed by the  people. Compared to the ‘Mahabharat’, the ‘Ramayana’ is short and quickly palatable. Also  being Rama’s ‘ayan’ or Rama’s story, it also emphasizes the essence of Bhakti or Devotion.

In the epic, not only Lord Rama, but also his devotees are depicted. The main characters  include Hanumanji, Vibhishana, Sugriva, Sita , Bharata, Lakshmana etc. Demons like Ravana,  Kumbhkarana etc. are also depicted. We should understand that they are not mere devotees  but, embodiments of duties and values. 

The first lesson we learn is that, the ‘Ramayana’ is known for its righteous  behavior of each character. Everybody knows that Rama obeys his father’s order, even when  he could just not obey and live in peace with his family. The first thing that creates injustice  and disaster among our society is the “adharma” or forgetting the law of nature. People often  think about the need of rules, and want to lead a free life. But Lord Rama teaches us that life is  not for oneself but for serving others, serving oneself, through selfless service. A hidden  objective is that we should not overthink anything, as it creates doubt in oneself, thereby  restricting us from doing dharma. This creates ego in our minds, resulting in anger, most likely

destructive, meant only for Lord Shambhu, not for us. To think that we are inferior or superior,  is not good. Kaikeyi does not fall to Manthara's words for her selfishness; but God forces her  to do it, so that Rama goes for ‘Vanvas’ and eventually end Ravana. Thus, everything happens for a reason. The inferior- superior concept is useless as Rama could think why he should obey  Kaikeyi. She could be anybody while being his mother, but Rama selflessly obeys without ego,  thinking of the reason why; and the final outcome becomes beautiful by ending the demonic rule. 

Another scene is Dasharatha’s grief. Dasharatha got Rama after waiting for years, but just because of a curse he lost Rama and reached heaven. There are both negative  and positive concepts in this. For positive, we could see the devotion to ‘Bhagavan’. Though  Lord Rama was born a human, he is Lord Vishnu Himself. This grief between a father and a son can be seen through ‘Viraha’ Bhakti or separation from God where the Lord Himself  granted devotion to Dasharatha, despite being a king, to relieve his pain of curse. For the  negative side we can see that this grief is not suitable for the people of dharma. As a king he  must follow his duties and also grant Kaikeyi’s two boons. Kaikeyi only asked for Bharata’s ‘Rajabhisheka’ and Rama’s fourteen years’ exile. Even when Rama did nothing wrong,  Dasharatha is duty bound to fulfill the boons, whatever they may be. It is just a performance of duty as worldly desires are not for permanent joy. For sustaining the world, this Dharma is  essential and Dasharatha has to do it. The soul is eternal. Rama might be Dasharatha’s son, but  there is only a universal soul. 

Rama, even while losing Sita and suffering much in his life, he refuses to be  caught up by his emotions and gives importance to righteousness and performing duty which  are suitable for a real Kshatriya. He, rather than his happiness, gives priority to his citizens.  This is why Rama is called ‘Purushottam’. Giving more importance to our emotions will  destroy us. This knowledge makes us dutybound.

Other characters like Sita and Lakshmana also emphasize devotion to others.  Sita helps us see that when Rama goes to exile, she also wants the same, as forgetting one’s  husband is considered not good, as Prakriti (Woman) is equal to Purush (Man). This proves  that without each other, life is not sustained, as the next generation comes from both of them  together. Sita also follows (Pativrata) devotion to husband. She refuses Ravana’s request to  marry even when she can just marry him and lead peaceful life. Sita teaches us that despite  suffering and pain a wife should always be devoted to her husband. Most people think this is  slavery, but it is not so. It becomes like that when husband is not following his duties. Here, a  man does not know his wife’s purity. Rama asks Sita to do Fire sacrifice for checking her  purity. By accepting the hardship the wife proves that her purity is the most precious thing for  her husband’s survival. Thus this creates unity in couples and equality in society.

Lakshmana shows not only a brother’s devotion; but also the dasya bhava. Lakshmana’s role in destroying Ravana is important, though Rama being Lord Vishnu Himself.  Lakshmana values the loyalty to elders and helping others. Lakshmana could just be jealous of  Rama, but he never fell for that; and he helped Rama everywhere, anytime. Now, for us this  bond or team work can really help us create a better world. 

Talking of the Vanvas, Bali and Sugriva were brothers, but because a minute  problem makes them enemies. But though Bali was powerful, he followed his emotions and  did adharma by removing Sugriva. Bali could easily defeat Ravana, but Rama being righteous, did not pick the easy way. He chose dharma and to protect it, he had to kill Bali with the help  of Sugriva even by attacking from behind. Sugriva also returns help by sending fellow  monkeys to find Sita. This shows us that even when somebody does little help we have to help  them back. Even though Sugriva’s mission was harder than Bali’s, it got successful and Bali  got his deed’s fruit. By this, Rama proves that even the hardest path matters when you follow  dharma and only righteousness wins. Hanuman’s devotion can be seen as the most blessed one.

Hanuman is the only one who can see Rama as God. His devotion not only emphasizes help  but complete surrender (Dasya). Thus he is the purest devotee of Rama. This proves that  complete surrender is the gateway to ‘Mukti’. He goes to find Mritasanjeevani and Sita. He  becomes ready to do anything for his Lord. This shows that duty is also important for becoming  a devotee. 

Vibhishana shows that despite being a demon he refuses to obey the rule of the  demonic habits of Ravana, his brother. He proves that the caste is not defined by birth but by action. He tries to advise Ravana but he eventually gets removed from Ravana’s court. Picking  dharma Vibhishana remains in the hope of the Lord. The Lord protects the people who sustains  righteousness. 

Just like Lakshmana, Bharata is known for his eternal devotion to Rama. Despite  being his brother he also expressed dasya bhava. Rama’s kindness created peace and happiness  in the kingdom. Thus Rama was the suitable King for Ayodhya, but because of Kaikeyi’s  actions, his brother Bharata got very upset and angry for the moment. But soon he realizes the importance of his duties after listening to Rama’s words. Bharata took Rama’s Sandals  (Padukas) and placed them on the throne. Bharata’s emotions are meaningful. Instead of being  caught by desires for the kingdom, he respected his brother’s values and chose righteousness.  This is essential for everyone. This also shows whatever happens, somehow the righteous people will get the rule even by their humble deeds.

We also cannot forget Ravana and Kumbhkarana even when they are demons.  At the end Rama asks Lakshmana to seek knowledge from Ravana. Ravana has knowledge of  the four Vedas. Though a great devotee of Lord Shiva, Ravana followed unrighteousness and  desires. This proves that when we are caught by our own desires we forget our duty and that  leads to our own destruction. From this, Rama also proves that every person has a positive and negative side; and we should never forget a person’s positive aspect. Kumbhkarana knew that  he would be killed by Rama, but obeyed his brother and eventually died in peace. The demon  Maaricha also realizes that dying in the hands of God is better than death in the hands of a  demon. 

Even when Ramayana has many characters, some are embodied as simple but  useful for they are duty bound and devoted. It also signifies that patience can fulfil any task at  any time, like Rama and Sita who control desires and uphold dharma; which also requires  swadharma (self-duties). Altogether, the ‘Ramayana’ creates peace, happiness and unity in  society. Even when we feel some adharma parts in this epic; it mainly encourages positive  thinking that spreads about world-wide qualities. The ‘Ramayana’ is the basic tool for shaping  society and us for ever.