Sri Ram - Revision history

Jyoti: /* Character */

2022-02-13T19:05:22Z

‎Character

Jyoti: /* The person */

2020-10-11T17:13:12Z

‎The person

Jyoti: /* A secular (panth nirpeksh), ethical leader */

2019-04-15T08:25:23Z

‎A secular (panth nirpeksh), ethical leader

Jyoti: /* The person */

2019-04-13T15:47:09Z

‎The person

Pdewan: /* The person */

2019-04-12T15:20:18Z

‎The person

Pdewan: /* The person */

2019-04-12T15:19:44Z

‎The person

Jyoti at 21:36, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T21:36:06Z

Pdewan: /* Sri Ram symbolises compassion */

2017-10-24T15:35:42Z

‎Sri Ram symbolises compassion

Pdewan at 15:14, 24 October 2017

2017-10-24T15:14:41Z

Pdewan: /* Sri Ram symbolises compassion */

2015-06-28T22:37:53Z

‎Sri Ram symbolises compassion

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 Vibhishana leaves behind his royal comforts, his place at Lanka’s powerful court, his wife and children, his wealth and property – and for whom? For a broke, homeless migrant (who has no clue about his divinity) and has only a motley crew of unarmed vanaras. That is an extraordinary sharanagati, total surrender, as kathakars expound.
-[[Category:India|R
+=Life=
 SRI RAM]]
-[[Category:Religion|R
+[[Category:Religion|RSRI RAM
 SRI RAM]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:13, 11 October 2020
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	Shatrughna’s example is one that we can strive to emulate. We may not be among the Bharatas and Lakshmanas of this world, who can directly interact with the Divine. But we are free to serve society and the nation.		Shatrughna’s example is one that we can strive to emulate. We may not be among the Bharatas and Lakshmanas of this world, who can directly interact with the Divine. But we are free to serve society and the nation.
		+
		+	=Character=
		+	==Nobility==
		+	[https://epaper.timesgroup.com/olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TOIM%2F2020%2F04%2F02&entity=Ar01205&sk=3FC2ED51&mode=text&fbclid=IwAR3LLKdkUTJbbxzCVHp2Srkub6PAQgpT1d-O8bt_mWoBXcGRMArTBMbrnrA Renuka Narayanan, Why So Many Souls Fall In Love With Rama, April 2, 2020: ''The Times of India'']
		+
		+
		+	Ramanavami, the birth of Rama in the month of Chaitra, refreshes tender thoughts of Rama, the embodiment of compassion, kindness and graceful behaviour. ‘Raman’ means one who is happy and also, one who makes others happy. Although the Ramayana is full of sorrowful partings, the character of Rama shines like a light in the darkness.
		+
		+	Rama’s amazing goodness at Chitrakoot to Kaikeyi, even though she drove him out of home into the forest for 14 years and took away his rights on the eve of his anointment as crown prince. It made a deep impression on me, of a high standard of behaviour. Rama’s inner composure: He never said one rude or reproachful word to Kaikeyi but rather, tried to make her feel better about herself. Nor did he allow Lakshmana and Sita to deviate a hairsbreadth from the cordiality and respect due to a mother, an elder.
		+
		+	This compassionate, forgiving quality of Rama’s character is declared by Narada at the very beginning of the epic, when Valmiki says, “I wonder if there is a single person blessed with all the good qualities one can think of.”
		+
		+	His list is an interesting revelation about ourselves as a society and what we are taught to admire: integrity, courage, honesty, gratitude, sticking by one’s principles, concern for all living beings, learning, skill, beauty, anger control, lack of jealousy at all times and undaunted heroism in dealing with whatever life throws at one.
		+
		+	“I will tell you about such a person,” says Narada, and gives Valmiki a potted history of Rama’s circumstances.
		+
		+	When Dasaratha asks his people what they think of his plan to make Rama the crown prince, even the fond father is astonished by the praja’s enthusiasm. Look at the reasons they give Dasaratha, apart from Rama’s wisdom, valour and kingly skills: “Rama speaks lovingly to everyone and his words have never been false. He respects elders and wise people. He is genuinely interested in the welfare of others. When out riding, he stops and talks to the man on the street. He readily forgives and forgets a wrong but remembers even the smallest nice thing that anybody ever did for him. He is well-read and well-mannered. He is a ‘drapi’ (angry only when rightfully required and in the right proportion)”.
		+
		+	The citizens of Ayodhya even leave their homes to follow Rama into the forest, so deep is their attachment to their sweet-natured prince.
		+
		+	Perfect strangers fall under Rama’s spell, like the forester Guha who takes Rama across the Ganga and actually prepares to defend Rama against Bharata and the entire Ayodhyan army. Rishi Bharadwaj and any number of other forest-dwellers become deeply attached to Rama in the course of 13 years in the forest. In the 14th year, a well-educated, well-spoken superhero like Hanuman is instantly drawn to Rama’s goodness. He forgets his disguise and blurts the truth about himself.
		+
		+	Vibhishana leaves behind his royal comforts, his place at Lanka’s powerful court, his wife and children, his wealth and property – and for whom? For a broke, homeless migrant (who has no clue about his divinity) and has only a motley crew of unarmed vanaras. That is an extraordinary sharanagati, total surrender, as kathakars expound.
		+
		+	[[Category:India\|R
		+	SRI RAM]]
		+	[[Category:Religion\|R
		+	SRI RAM]]

	=Values=		=Values=

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:25, 15 April 2019
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	Similarly, Rama showed great respect for the elderly Shabari, a woman from a lower caste, whose berries were consumed with great love and enthusiasm although she gave them to him only after taking the first bite. No person of royal descent will be accepting any edible item that is first tasted by a person of inferior caste. But Rama honoured the intention of the old woman who wanted to make sure that only the sweetest of berries were offered to him. Yes, there may be aspiring leaders who ostensibly mimic such acts by consuming food with the downtrodden castes or touching their feet and so on, but on the very face of it, such acts appear to be feigned humility. The crux of Rama’s leadership lessons lie in the famous couplet of Ramcharitmanas in which he describes the way leaders should act. Paraphrased below is the essence: “The leader should be like the mouth that eats and drinks at one source but makes sure that it nourishes every part of the body judiciously.”		Similarly, Rama showed great respect for the elderly Shabari, a woman from a lower caste, whose berries were consumed with great love and enthusiasm although she gave them to him only after taking the first bite. No person of royal descent will be accepting any edible item that is first tasted by a person of inferior caste. But Rama honoured the intention of the old woman who wanted to make sure that only the sweetest of berries were offered to him. Yes, there may be aspiring leaders who ostensibly mimic such acts by consuming food with the downtrodden castes or touching their feet and so on, but on the very face of it, such acts appear to be feigned humility. The crux of Rama’s leadership lessons lie in the famous couplet of Ramcharitmanas in which he describes the way leaders should act. Paraphrased below is the essence: “The leader should be like the mouth that eats and drinks at one source but makes sure that it nourishes every part of the body judiciously.”
		+
		+	==Leadership Lessons From RamCharitManas==
		+	[https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TOIDEL%2F2019%2F04%2F13&entity=Ar01802&sk=131EF43B&mode=text Kanti Mohan Rustagi, Leadership Lessons From Ramcharitmanas, April 13, 2019: ''The Times of India'']
		+
		+
		+	Ramcharitmanas, the epic saga of Rama authored by Tulsidas, is not merely biographical poetry; it is also a message to lead a stress-free life, prepare to successfully face complex contingencies and refine one’s behavioural, leadership, management and relationship qualities and attributes. Therefore, Ramcharitmanas is not limited to being a bhakti song – it is much more than that for it has all the ingredients in it to do a world of good to the young, to educated professionals and others, to read this epic with open eyes and mind to better their professional and personal lives.
		+
		+	Ramcharitmanas depicts simple episodes from the life of Rama that could help us to hone our leadership skills. At the beginning of the Rama-Ravana battle, the demons – upon being heavily beaten by the monkey army – run to their king, Ravana, who admonishes them and threatens to take their lives himself if they choose to run away from battle: ‘Jo run bimukh suna mein kana, so mein hatab karal kripana. Sarbasu khai bhog kari nana, samar bhumi bhaye ballabh prana.’ This is one style of leadership, that is, to keep employees in fear, insecure, under threat of losing their employment and/ or life and so, get the work done while continuing to enjoy the benefits.
		+
		+	During the battle, the tide turns and Kumbhakarna kills and eats thousands of monkeys, creating panic amongst them and making them run away from the battlefield. Rama leads from the front and commands Lakshmana, Sugreeva and Vibhishana to protect the monkey army while he himself would carry out a head-on fight with Kumbhakar na: ‘Sunu Sugreeva Vibhishana Anuj Sambhareo Sen, Mein dekhon khal bal dalehi bole rajivnen.’ A good leader in difficult times will lead from the front and protect his people, while an evil leader will risk his people’s well-being and even lives, to protect himself.
		+
		+	It does not mean that a good leader has to be soft. He has to maintain a balance between the softness and hard decisions to achieve the goal. Upon Sugreeva getting immersed in the leisure of a newly found kingdom, Rama directs Lakshmana to admonish him. Rama counsels him: ‘Bhaiy Dekhai Le Aavahu Taat Sakha Sugreeva.’ A leader keeps his eyes focussed on the goal and uses anger and a tough exterior only to achieve his goals, so that objectivity is not lost.
		+
		+	A good leader has to build confidence in his people and enable them to realise their potential. Angad was down in spirit after the death of Vaali, his father, and was even sceptical of his uncle, Sugreeva’s intent, which he even expresses thus: ‘Pita vadhe par maarat mohi.’ Rama realises this, and to build Angad’s confidence, sends him as messenger to Ravana’s court, encouraging him by saying, ‘Baali tanay budhi bal gun dhama,’ and the result was for everyone to see. Angad was not only successful in creating fear in the minds of the people of Lanka but was also one of the most valiant warriors of the war along with Hanuman. Thus, a true leader not merely brings out the best from his people but helps them achieve beyond the best.
		+
		+	Ramcharitmanas is not a simplistic religious epic but is an inspiration to everyone, and in every walk of life. Readers, listeners, and followers of this epic have only to interpret it with an open mind and wide perspective to reap benefits.

	=The Rāmāyaṇ and Sri Ram=		=The Rāmāyaṇ and Sri Ram=

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:47, 13 April 2019
Line 37:		Line 37:

	Shatrughna’s example is one that we can strive to emulate. We may not be among the Bharatas and Lakshmanas of this world, who can directly interact with the Divine. But we are free to serve society and the nation.		Shatrughna’s example is one that we can strive to emulate. We may not be among the Bharatas and Lakshmanas of this world, who can directly interact with the Divine. But we are free to serve society and the nation.
		+
		+	=Values=
		+	==A secular (''panth nirpeksh''), ethical leader==
		+	[https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TOIDEL%2F2019%2F04%2F12&entity=Ar02002&sk=EE0E4D6E&mode=text Pramod Pathak, Ethical Leadership Lessons From Rama, April 12, 2019: ''The Times of India'']
		+
		+
		+	Ramanavami, the birthday of Rama, is celebrated with traditional gaiety in large parts of India. This is also election time, when we are in the process of electing a new government. This is a very suitable occasion to remember and reflect on the life and times of Rama and it is a good time to draw some lessons from the way he administered his people. More so, we have a lot to learn from the leadership values he stood for. This is particularly so, because Ramrajya is a metaphor for the ideal government, the search for which is still on, over seven decades after the country gained independence.
		+
		+	Let us go over some of the leadership traits Rama symbolised. Interestingly, these traits find copious mention in modern management literature as the desirable ones that administrators and managers need to follow. Ironically, they are missing in those desirous of leading the country.
		+
		+	As the term ethical leadership becomes the most recommended style, we need to find out how Rama embodied the qualities of ethical leadership.
		+
		+	The first and foremost point is that his were truly secular values based on universal humanism rather than any preference for caste, class or creed. The essence of Rama’s philosophy lies in his answer to his younger brother Bharata’s query in the Uttarkand of the Ramayana.
		+
		+	Bharata wants to know what is the noblest of all religions. Replying to this, Rama says that the greatest religion is that of doing good for others. An epitome of righteousness in every sense of the term, Rama exhibited superlative qualities of love and humility in his conduct – a contrast from the hatred and arrogance prevalent in today’s leaders.
		+
		+	Rama’s noble act of effecting Ahalya’s redemption is a true depiction of the spirit of civility and concern for women’s rights. The story of Ahalya is a milepost in women’s emancipation. In endorsing Ahalya’s character, Rama’s action suggests that society must embrace a victimised woman rather than treat her as a culprit. His courteous treatment of the boatman who ferried him along with Sita and Lakshmana across the river Ganga during the beginning of the exile period is an exemplary act of humility that is virtually extinct these days.
		+
		+	Similarly, Rama showed great respect for the elderly Shabari, a woman from a lower caste, whose berries were consumed with great love and enthusiasm although she gave them to him only after taking the first bite. No person of royal descent will be accepting any edible item that is first tasted by a person of inferior caste. But Rama honoured the intention of the old woman who wanted to make sure that only the sweetest of berries were offered to him. Yes, there may be aspiring leaders who ostensibly mimic such acts by consuming food with the downtrodden castes or touching their feet and so on, but on the very face of it, such acts appear to be feigned humility. The crux of Rama’s leadership lessons lie in the famous couplet of Ramcharitmanas in which he describes the way leaders should act. Paraphrased below is the essence: “The leader should be like the mouth that eats and drinks at one source but makes sure that it nourishes every part of the body judiciously.”

	=The Rāmāyaṇ and Sri Ram=		=The Rāmāyaṇ and Sri Ram=

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-[[Category:India|R]]
-[[Category:Religion|R]]
 [[File: Vishwamitr brings Sri Ram and Sri Lakshman to his hermitage.jpg|Vishwamitr brings Sri Ram and Sri Lakshman to his hermitage. <br/> A miniature painting from a Persian- language Ramayan  commissioned by Emperor Akbar, c. A.D. 1594. <br/> Photo courtesy: Museum 'Rietberg. |frame|500px]]
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 </div>
 |}
+[[Category:India|R]]
 =The person=
 == Relationship with brothers==

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 The story of the Dasaratha-jātaka seems to me to be a garbled and bowdlerised snippet cut off from a possibly pre-Vālmīkian version of the old Rāma-saga; the rest of the theory appears to be quite mistaken.] Certainly Rāma was a local hero of Ayōdhyā, and probably he was once a real king; so it is likely enough that an old saga (or sagas) attached itself early to his memory. And as his fame spread abroad, principally on the wings of Vālmīki's poem, the honours of semi-divinity  began to be paid to him in many places beyond his native land, and about the beginning of our era he was recognised as an incarnation of Vishṇu sent to establish a reign of righteousness in the world. In Southern India this cult of Rāma, like that of Kṛishṇa, has for the most part remained subordinate to the worship of Vishṇu, though the Vaishṇava church there has from early times recognised the divinity of both of them as embodiments of the Almighty. But its great home is the North, where millions worship Rāma with passionate and all-absorbing love.
 =What Sri Ram symbolises=
 ==Sri Ram symbolises compassion==
 '' From the archives of ''The Times of India'': 2008 ''