This Dussehra, looking at five lessons Ramayana's pivotal-characters taught us
Among the 365 days of the year, nothing tells us good will finally defeat the evil like the day of Dussehra. As Lord Ram killed Ravana, ending a long battle, He told us right eventually wins. With distressing incidents becoming more common than ever, it is important to remember what Ramayana told us: righteousness. Here's looking at five lessons the epic saga told us.
Maryada Purshottam Ram lived by rules and that isn't bad
Maryada (translated to decorum) is what Lord Rama swore by. He never crossed any line, smiled even when sentenced to exile, treated everyone (e.g. Sabri) with respect, and even before killing Ravana gave him multiple chances to rectify his mistakes. In a world, which is a lot angrier and frustrated, Rama's decorum has the capacity to make everyone calmer. After all, what's life if some rules aren't followed, what's civilization if decorum is ignored?
Ravana was arrogant but thirsty for knowledge
The ten-headed demon king Ravana was arrogant, had zero regards for women, and saw nothing beyond his ill-placed ambitions. But, boy, was he knowledgeable. Someone who had read all Vedas, and was a Shiv Bhakt like none other, Ravana couldn't have been killed had the Lord himself not descended earth. The gist is, Ravana didn't need to acquire knowledge, he still did because he wanted to be the best. If he can keep learning, can't we?
Sita and her patience were Godly
In abduction, Sita displayed patience which was Godly. Yes, she was a God but chose to live like a human and go through unimaginable hardships, only to teach us the value of patience. It was her patience, and also self-belief, that kept her sane when she was abducted. Moreover, given her Godly powers, she could have killed Ravana instantly, but she didn't. She taught us everything happens at the right time, you just have to stay patient.
When you are the strongest, you need to stay loyal
You are strong, you can move mountains (literally), burn castles, and your tail can kill enemy's army in one second. Meaning you have everything, but you let loyalty be the one trait that defines you. Pawan-putra Hanuman, the monkey-lord, taught us you can be most powerful but without loyalty, your existence is inconsequential. While relationships break at the drop of a hat these days, having a bit of his loyalty is what we need.
Laxman sacrificed everything, didn't want anything in return
Laxman stayed with Rama, even though he wasn't supposed to. Leaving all the royal pleasures, Laxman didn't sleep for 14 years straight. A warrior par excellence, Laxman was the embodiment of sacrifice. Though finding someone even remotely close to him seems impossible now, it isn't that difficult to implement Laxman's traits in real life. Not everything has to be driven by selfish motives, right?
We always need a Rama, don't believe otherwise
Amid the furor over Lord Rama (His temple is one of the most politically-charged topics in the country) his lessons have been forgotten. The chest-thumping people will rake His issue ahead of elections, and the 'atheists' will claim He doesn't deserve the honor or respect. But if not for Ramayana, none of us would have gotten a guide to life. And that's why we need Rama and His teachings.
