The Hindu : Ramayana, an ocean of morals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 12, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Ramayana, an ocean of morals

CHENNAI APRIL 12 . Besides several statements made by God Himself (when He was amidst humanity) on a variety of topics touching on a man's conduct, all of which have relevance even today, two carry great significance. One among them says: "No purpose will be served by continuing to harbour enmity towards one with whom there had been difference of opinion all along. Hostility ceases with the death of such a foe." Based on this the Lord commands Vibhishana to perform the funeral rites of his brother as the former initially was reluctant to do them owing to their opposite views on a vital decision. The second relates to the attachment one should show to his motherland. The Lord was told about the prosperity of the island of Lanka but He replied that the birthplace of anyone is to be loved more and He hence wanted to return to Ayodhya as soon as His task was over.

The Ramayana presents these aspects when the hero emerged victorious after punishing the culprits. The epic is compared to an ocean from which anyone can obtain any number of morals and guidelines. Though Ravana had mastered the Vedas, possessed enormous strength and was deeply religious, one bad trait of yielding to passion stood against him. He was adamant and ignored the advice of the elders. He ridiculed his brother that for the sake of saving his life he had sought refuge in an ordinary mortal (referring to Rama).

The Divine work has mentioned about the wicked tactics adopted by the son of Ravana by carrying out a special religious rite to wipe out Rama and His army. Normally Homas are performed to invoke the blessings of Divine beings for the success of certain endeavours. But in this case his intentions were bad and ultimately he was vanquished. Another doubt which may arise among sceptics is how when the mountain containing medicinal herbs was brought by Anjaneya, only the monkeys (which had been killed in the war) were revived on inhaling the breeze while the demons did not. Ravana had ordered his (dead) soldiers to be pushed into the sea, while Rama's troops remained on the field. How Rama was generous in permitting Ravana, who lost everything in the battle, to come back refreshed reveals His zeal to uphold the ethics of warfare, said Sri Burra Sivaramakrishna Sarma in his Harikatha.

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