Parents / Sibling Relationships
One great value Ram has propagated is being great son of Dasrath. He is considered a very affectionate son and one who follows every instruction of his father. One quality which is always talked about Ram is about following his father's instruction always. He left his throne and went to forests to fulfill Darath's promise to his wife Kaikai. His stay in forests foregoing his inheritance is ultimate sacrifice. He never budged from his vanvas even after pleading by repentant Kaikai.
Do you need this amount of sacrifice for respect to parents unmindful of consequences. It may be not practical for every son and daughter to be obedient to every instruction. Many a times parents are not wise like Dasrath as they can be petty and dangerous like Kaikai. Mature children may have to understand the justification and act appropriately.
Why is this bonding so important . Ultimately the journey in this world is wading through series of relationships to bond with people. A journey without bonds is terrible and scary. How much can you sacrifice has to and can do is depending on need of the circumstances, ability for sacrifice and the situation of the individual.
One prerequisite for this bonding to happen is that every individual in the relationship web must play their role to the broader understanding else the whole bonding can fall apart like kaikai role for a short period. It has disrupted Ayodhya for a period of fourteen years. The atmosphere din't fall apart as Bharat was affectionate to his brother Ram and made Kaikai realise her mistake and be part of the bonding. Lakman's love to Ram edges towards bhakti. Shatrughan is treated more liked a child by all his brothers making it a parental affection
Instances of affection in Ramayan are numerous
Do you need this amount of sacrifice for respect to parents unmindful of consequences. It may be not practical for every son and daughter to be obedient to every instruction. Many a times parents are not wise like Dasrath as they can be petty and dangerous like Kaikai. Mature children may have to understand the justification and act appropriately.
Why is this bonding so important . Ultimately the journey in this world is wading through series of relationships to bond with people. A journey without bonds is terrible and scary. How much can you sacrifice has to and can do is depending on need of the circumstances, ability for sacrifice and the situation of the individual.
One prerequisite for this bonding to happen is that every individual in the relationship web must play their role to the broader understanding else the whole bonding can fall apart like kaikai role for a short period. It has disrupted Ayodhya for a period of fourteen years. The atmosphere din't fall apart as Bharat was affectionate to his brother Ram and made Kaikai realise her mistake and be part of the bonding. Lakman's love to Ram edges towards bhakti. Shatrughan is treated more liked a child by all his brothers making it a parental affection
Instances of affection in Ramayan are numerous
- Ram without battling a eyelid agrees to forgo throne to Bharat but requests Kaikai to relent on her demand to his vanvas to allow him to stay with Dasrath
- Bharath abhors the idea of rajyabhishek and goes to Ram asking his return
- Lakshman was always ready to follow Ram to Vanvas and share Ram's ill fate
- Bharat, Lakshman and Shatru are not ready to take throne from Ram when wants to follow Sita in her exale
- Ram was ready to excuse Kaikai after her repentance
- Ram's affection to Matas is genuine which is demonstrated always
In the end Ramayan is demonstration of family values by Ram in every turn and ultimate. Follow it wherever you can and enjoy love and affection generated by it. You become a demonstration of family values to your next generation to follow else you will face consequences
We have read this story any number of times in our life. It would have influenced our minds to an extent which is the purpose of this kind of writing. Valmiki wanted us to inculcate such values and thus created a character like Ram. I thiught about it at length. Honestly, I am not convinced that Ram going to forest was a great idea. It was not in his best interest or his kingdom. Ultimately he suffered a lot for no fault of him. Ironically, he lost his father too. People may not like if I say he didn't show good judgement. He should have asserted himself and taken the reins from his father. Then, there was no story.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it is a good effort from you to highlight the value if affection in family.
In my opinion, not only good qualities but also the negative ones must be brought out. After all, Ram was human and so he is also vulnerable to human frailties.
Rules are contemporary. Vachan nibhana was the order. Currently supplier payments are not honoured . Let us understand Ram's behaviour under that context.
DeleteRules are seperate discussion
Rama didn't make any promise and didn't beeak any. Dasarath gave a blank cheque to Kaikeyi, which was foolish. Rama was not in any obligation to honor his father's stupid promise. He had a right to the throne.
DeleteI agree we must see in the context of that time.