FREE ESSAY ON RAMAYANA

RAMAYANA

Alexander Eisen 10.20.00
UGC 111 Essay #2 : Ramayana
The epic of Ramayana 
and some of the 
Hindu virtues derived from it
The poetic author, Valmiki, does not calls Rama "the perfect man" in his well known tale
of Ramayana for no reason. For this story has been a legendary epic that many generations
of the Hindu culture have been modeling their society after, for over two thousand years.
It has been an influential teaching for children and scholars of all ages because of its
simplicity and exemplary concepts and virtues of the Hindu people. From childhood most
Indians learn the characters and incidents of this epic and they furnish the morals,
ideals and wisdom of common life. This epic helps to bind together the many peoples of
India, transcending caste, distance and language by showing all the perfect way to
practice dharma throughout one's life. As will be explored in this essay, from Ramayana,
one can derive many of the virtues of the Hindu culture such as perfectionism, honesty,
order, obedience and respect, and active asceticism. All these characteristics make a
human being perfect and are achieved through the practice of dharma, as explicitly shown
by the main character of Ramayana - Rama. 
Rama is indeed a perfect man in the eyes of the Indian people. Many Hindus even regard
him as an incarnation of the god Vishnu. The main reason for that is Rama lived his
entire life in an exemplary manner - by the rules of dharma. In fact, that was why
Indians consider him heroic and respect him so much . When Rama was a young boy, he was
the perfect son. Later he was an ideal husband to his faithful wife, Sita, and finally a
responsible ruler of Aydohya. 
The first example of obedience and respect displayed by Rama is vivid when the news of
his banishment, enforced by his own parents, are brought to him. He handles the situation
with remarkably patient and wise attitude and says to his stepmother, I gladly obey
father's command …Why, I would go even if you ordered it.. By doing this, he shows
characteristics of great piety to his parents and the lack of desire to be a powerful and
authoritative rich ruler, all while knowing that he is giving up his righteous turn to
rule the kingdom since he is the oldest of the four sons of the king. Instead, he
willingly goes off into exile - forest infested with evil spirits whom he battles with
the power of good and defeats. As in most of the Eastern world, this example of respect
being paid to elders, parents, authorities (no matter what one is commanded to do) is
very important in one's 'faith'; and the fact that one successfully wards off evil, gives
him/her the title of a cultural model hero, just as seen in Rama's case. 
Rama's casual attitude about going off into the forest for fourteen years also shows his
asceticism - the will to give up his material, emotional and physical attachments. His
peaceful and patient attitude towards his life is vivid due to his enduring wisdom. For
he goes beyond the material and physical world to strive for a higher state of being -
nirvana, something all Hindus look forward to. He says the following to his brother
Bharata, when he is offered the throne again, "I should have known that you would
renounce gladly what most men work lifetimes to learn to give up". Physical attachments
like money and emotional attachment like love are only barriers in the path of dharma
because they bring desires for possession and pleasure. Rama shows that, by faith, it is
more important not to complicate one's short life on earth with these distractions but
rather it is vital for one to strive for this state of perfectionism (nirvana) by
concentrating on working hard for it on earth (dharma). 
Rama makes no mistakes in the story of Ramayana. He is always makes quick and wise
decisions whether in battle or in peace. He is concerned about maintaining order and
getting rid of evil as he defeats Ravana, the 10-headed king of Lanka who abducts Sita.
This bravery against evil is another Hindu virtue that is inbred into Hindu boys. It is
believed that the best way to practice dharma is through action instead of meditation as
in Buddhism. Rama, exemplifies exactly that by always working on setting the order of
things straight. He makes quick and impulsive decisions and caries them out effectively.

The last major virtue that is popular among Hindu culture, related to Rama is honesty.
Rama never lies himself and even puts his wife Siva to a test to prove her credibility
and purity to him, after she is resqued from Ravana's hostage. She does that indeed by
immolation, and thus Rama accepts her back as his wife showing all that loyalty and
honesty are the basis of their relationship. 
All of Rama's characteristics are factors to his success and thus scholars analyze him
and try to help all Hindus understand the importance of practicing dharma by preaching
the virtues of Rama. His perfectionism and wittiness, the strive for order and peace,
obedience, respect, loyalty and honesty to parents, women, friends and elders, his
asceticism and good-will actions are all ideals in the eyes of the Hindu folk. Also, his
heroic contributions, harmonious attitude and also the belief that he is indeed Vishnu,
should be evidence enough that to walk the path of dharma, one should follow in his
footsteps.
Bibliography
Book of Ramayana