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Essay / The role of Dharma in the Ramayana by Rk Narayan
The Ramayana is an important text of the Hindu religion, which presents Rama as an ideal human being. Rama's journey through life is used as a model for how to live. According to RK Narayan's version of the Ramayana, humans should perform their dharma and encourage others to do the same. Following one's dharma will show humans what they should do, what they should avoid doing, and how they should respond to adverse situations they encounter in life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayR. K. Narayan's Ramayana details several stories of Rama following his dharma and living a good life because of it. Rama first fulfills his role as a good son when he obeys his father's order to travel with sage Viswamithra and protect him. His obedience is rewarded when his true power awakens during their journey. This takes place in Chapter 1. He later fulfills his role as a good son when he honors his father's word and leaves Ayodhya to live in the forests for 14 years. His father begged Rama not to leave, but Rama's stepmother, Kaikeyi, reminded him: "It is your duty to help your father keep his promise." Otherwise, he will damn himself in this world and in others. You owe him a duty as his son.” After hearing this, Rama kept his word and immediately went to live in the forests with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. This episode was detailed in chapter 3. By leaving Ayodhya, Rama was able to learn from the saints and ultimately rid the world of evil forces. Rama fulfilled not only his role as a good son, but also that of a good husband. An example of Rama fulfilling his role as a good husband was depicted in chapter 7 of RK Narayan's Ramayana, when Sugreeva asked Rama to join him in the capital. Rama replied: “I have lost my wife; and it should not be said that I enjoy the luxury of a palace, while she is perhaps undergoing untold suffering somewhere.” Rama did not stop trying to save his wife, Sita, until he achieved his goal and saved her from Ravana in chapter 12. As one must honor one's dharma, one must also be careful not to violate no part of his dharma. Some characters in RK Narayan's Ramayana who violated their dharma are Soorpanaka and Ravana. Soorpanaka violated her dharma as Ravana's sister when she tricked and manipulated him into taking Sita so that she could have access to Rama's affections in chapter 5. Although her brother stole Sita, Soorpanaka did not win Rama's favor and only accomplished by pushing Ravana to violate his own dharma. Ravana violated his dharma as a faithful husband when he stole Sita, a married woman, and ignored his own wife in chapter 5. By taking Sita and refusing to return her to Rama, Ravana brought about his own destruction, which happened in chapter 12. As the characters violated their dharma in RK Narayan's Ramayana, Rama faced many adverse situations. In the face of these challenges, Rama remained humble and performed his dharma to the best of his ability. Rama helped others, remained faithful and loyal, forgave and only harmed others if he had no other choice. When his enemy's relative, Vibishana, sought asylum from him in chapter 10, Rama said, "Whatever happens later, it is our first duty to protect." When Rama welcomed Vibishana, he helped Rama win the battle against Ravana by revealing information about Ravana's troops and weapons. When Rama won the battle against Ravana, he was able to save his wife, Sita. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a now., 2006.