The Legend Of Ram

Dear One,

'Ram... Ram... Ram... Ram...' was the constant utterance in the lips of the dying King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. He was heart broken over his decision to send his beloved son Ram in to exile, fulfilling a blind promise he had made long ago to his beautiful queen. Repenting over his own his vile decision, the King's saddened heart gave away and he breathed his last, uttering the name of his beloved Ram. Death becomes acceptable to those who don't have a purpose to live.

In an another corner of the vast palace, two virtuous mothers were shedding tears - one out of joy and the other out of despair. One had gained favor with the King on behalf of her son, the other had lost her only son  for fourteen years and all her hopes too died with it.

Of the four brothers, Ram was the eldest and the wisest. The other three had their own unique qualities, but Ram was set in a different mould altogether. He was what the others were not - Divine. He had an equally virtuous wife, named Sita. Ram had chosen a nomadic life for the next 14 years, to honor his father's words and Sita chose to follow her husband dutifully - In pleasure or in pain.

His half-brother, Laxmana, knew his destiny lay woven with Ram's and decided to follow in his brother's foot steps. A choice that was to fulfill an age old prophecy - the collaboration of Man and God to vanquish evil. So Ram, Sita and Laxmana set out on a journey of a lifetime, and for 14 years they were to be tried and tested in the fires of life and death.

Ram's epic life was a testament of duty, sacrifice and responsibility; he lived his life as another man, only to be recognized as God. The story of Ramayan, in truth is the story of man in search of his own divinity. It shows us the way to lead a life of piety, and transform ourselves into a reflection of the Divine. Divinity, is simply the lack of banal human traits such as hatred, jealousy, anger, lust, greed etc. making one Divine. The journey of attainting the state of inner purity is man's true pilgrimage.

Ram was an impeccable ruler of his time. It is said, in his time, no one ever was found to be wanting and sad. Life was lived to the fullest, with divine qualities manifesting in each one of them. It was rightfully called the Golden Age of Indian civilization.

Ramayana is the story of Man, God and His Creative principle. Ram is the symbolic representation of all things Divine; Laxmana, everything human and Sita, the connecting link between the two. These three form an inexplicable bond of existence and they are inseparable and inter-linked in nature. They cannot exist without the other. Ram, the pinnacle of divinity; Laxmana, is the essence of man's quest to attain that supreme state, and Sita, the deciding principle to grant us that glory.

In retrospect, life is filled with only two choices - right or wrong. The choices you make, decides your fate. Laxmana, too had a choice - either to stay back and enjoy all the pleasures of  the princely life or accept a life of virtuous peril in the company of Ram. He chose Ram over the world, only to be filled with endless joy.

How often as humans, we make wrong decisions, that grants us temporary satisfaction, but deprives us a life time of true happiness. Following Laxmana's example, let us too, embrace the Divine for the mundane and never lose hope in this forest of life. Many wild animals prowl in the open to take you down, but if you follow the virtuous life of Ram, you shall remain unscathed and unharmed by the perils of life. Sita, or the creative principle of God, will assist and protect you in every step you take towards attaining that supreme state of being.

This is the untold secret of Ramayana. Man is capable of attaining the Divine, by the kind of choices he makes. Temporary grief can be a harbinger of eternal peace. Choose the right side of life, and everything will be all right. Make the life of Ram, an example to shape your own. Remember, He was, what we are not - a man who unknowingly became an aspect of God.

In celebration of Ram and his exemplary life - Jai Sri Ram!

Peace in oneself. Peace in the world.