In this series of short articles on
Ramayana, I am presuming some knowledge on the part of the readers about the
broad story of the epic. In the last month’s article, I had quoted a verse. The
correct reading of the verse is as under:
In this article, we will see Shree Ram’s
sense of steadfastness to his word. The strength of his word was such that
nothing could deter him from his pledge. His intention and speech were so
aligned, that he never deviated from his word by giving lame excuses or finding
loop-holes. His well-known words are 
Ram never makes two (contradictory)
statements! There is no inconsistency between his utterances. Here are four
instances which demonstrate his complete alignment between what he meant and
what he said, what he said and what he did and between his utterances at
different times. In today’s world, these examples would inspire and open our
eyes.
1. When he was
going to exile, mother Kausalya tried to stop him by ‘emotional blackmailing’.
She said “Ram, do you agree that mother’s word is superior to that of the
father? Her word should prevail?” Ram nodded in approval.
“Then” she said, “Your father
Dasharatha is sending you to exile; but I am asking you not to go”.
Immediately, Ram retorted, “Mother, this command to go to exile is that of my
mother Kaikeyi only!”. He did not take shelter that Kaikeyi was his
step-mother.
2. While in exile, Ram never entered any
city. Since he had pledged to be in exile, he remained in exile.When he killed
Bali and handed over the kingdom of Kishkindha to Bali’s brother Sugreeva; Ram
refused to enter Kishkindha for attending his coronation. So also, after
killing Ravana, he installed Bibheeshana as the king of Lanka. Still, he did
not attend his coronation. Not only that, he sought his permission as a king,
to meet Seetaji as Seetaji was detained by Ravana in Lanka. This was the height
of courtesy and decorum.
3. When Bharata came to see Ram in the
forest to take him back, the sage Jabali said to Ram, “when you handed over the
kingdom to Bharata, you discharged your duty of honouring the word of your
father Dasharatha. Now, when that same Bharata is offering it back to you, what
is wrong in accepting it? There is no breach of your vow!”. “No”
Shree Ram said, “there were two parts of my father’s promise to mother Kaikeyi
– one was handing over the heirdom to Bharata; and 14 years’ exile for myself!
If I accept the kingdom, there will be a breach of the other part!”
4. While in exile, the sages and their
pupils staying in Ashramas came to request him for protection from cruel
and wicked demons. Shree Ram, duty conscious to the core, replied to them
politely, “It is a pity; rather shameful on my part that you have to
approach me with such a request! As a representative of King Bharata, it is my
bounden duty to protect all the subjects from evil. Your request clearly
reflects on my failure. Don’t worry. I will destroy the demons and make your
lives safe and comfortable”.
These are only a few illustrations. Ramayana
is full of such instances demonstrating a sense of duty in thought word and
deed, not only on the part of Shree Ram but also many others. We can learn from
these examples and apply them in day-to-day life.
