Ramayana is an epic tale of love, devotion, and sacrifice that has been cherished for centuries in India and beyond. It tells the story of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and his journey to save his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of the demon king Ravana. While the story of Ramayana is filled with many powerful themes and characters, one of the most significant is the power of position. Throughout the story, we see how the characters' positions in society, as well as their personal attitudes towards power, shape their actions and ultimately determine their fates. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the story of Ramayana to explore the power of position and its impact on the characters and the world around them.
Story of Power of Position Ramayana
Once upon a time in Ayodhya when Lord Rama returns to Ayodhya after winning Lanka and giving it to Vibhīṣaṇa. So everyone was sitting, and Lakṣmaṇa asked Lord Rama "You address Bharata as a saint and Hanuman as someone with tendencies of a saint, but you never addressed me as a saint."
Poor Lakṣmaṇa always served Lord Rama, but Lord Rama everywhere said, "Bharath Sama Bhahi" Whoever was dear to him, he would say, you're like my brother Bharat. So, Laxman thought it was very strange. I'm the one who stayed up in the forest for 14 years; I fought beside him in the war, I am the one who got struck by the arrow, I am the one who fainted, I used to go hunting, I did all the service, and despite all that, I am not the one who is dear to him.
Every time, Lord Rama says, "Bharath Sama Bhahi" What's with this? So Lord Rama answered that question by saying, "when a person does not have anything, then detachment is natural because grapes are sour. It is natural to be detached when you don't have anything to give, but the test is when you have something."
Lord Rama meant that if it were anyone else but Bharat, he would have experienced the kingdom being its king for 14 years who leaves the throne? no one leaves a throne. A position of power is intoxicating that no one wants to sacrifice it.
Lord Rama said to Lakṣmaṇa that the throne, a position of power, is intoxicating and that no one wants to sacrifice it. The throne, a position of power, is intoxicating in itself.
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So Lakṣmaṇa asked what's the difference between a saint and a non-saint? Every person sitting in a position of power is a non-saint?
Lord Rama said I did not say that. I never said that every person in a position of power is a non-saint. On the contrary, many are not in a position of power, but they are so-called saints but truly are non-saints.
Lakṣmaṇa said please shed light on this and clear my doubts what is the difference between a saint and a non-saint? Vibhīṣaṇa came into your refuge. Is that why he is a saint?" I"s Vibhīṣaṇa a saint because he came into your refuge. Meaning thereby if any person chants God's name, does he become a saint?"
It's mentioned in Ramcharitmanas that all the fortune collected by Rāvaṇa through his hard work and time, the estate of Sri Lanka, Lord Rama gave the same to Vibhīṣaṇa by his mere sight. When Vibhīṣaṇa Lord Rama met for the first time, Lord Rama performed his coronation by putting a mark on his head (tilaka)
Lord Rama replied, "No. Let me give you an example that will clarify the difference between a saint and a non-saint. If you understand this example, it will clarify the difference between a saint and a non-saint."
Lord Rama said, "There's an axe; it's sharp and made out of iron; what happens when the axe hits a sandalwood tree? Does that tree stop being a sandalwood tree? Or does the sandalwood tree become iron? NO, the axe starts smelling of sandalwood after it hits the sandalwood tree. The behavior of the sandalwood tree is the same as that of a saint. They do not let go of their qualities even if an axe hits them."
On the other side, A non-saint is like a matchstick with a head but no brain. Only with a little bit of friction, the matchstick blows. A person can be a saint if he rises above his tendency to be angry. A non-saint person will get angry by the first hit. If he is able to, he will take out his anger on the person next to him. If he is unable to, he will take out his anger on someone he is able to. If he cannot take it out on anyone, then he will be tensed within and will call the world useless.
Lord Rama said "the classic sign of a non-saint is that he loses his qualities on the first hit. The foremost sign of a saint is that he keeps sharing and spreading his qualities." For example, If you crush a flower, your hand becomes fragrant. The flower has left, but it leaves a fragrance behind in your hand. This is a quality of a saint.
It's a beautiful example. Lakṣmaṇa said, "You are correct; however, this is not fair. It is a great injustice that a saint is getting hit. I understand that sandalwood did not let go of its qualities but in the process, it got cut into pieces at the end. The axe has the sandalwood's fragrance but it will be there only for a short period. But the axe did its job of cutting the gentle sandalwood tree. So don't you think this is great injustice?"
From my perspective, this is an injustice because the sandalwood tree is cut in pieces, whereas the axe is where it was. The axe has cut one tree today but will cut many more in the future."
Lord Rama asked Lakṣmaṇa, "Remember I told you about Maya?" Lakṣmaṇa had asked Lord Rama, "what is the difference between Jeev and Maya?" Lord Rama replied, There is Vidya and Avidya. People are tied in Avidya. In pride/ego, people divide things that cannot be divided.
For example, how would one divide the water if there were no prideful vessels to fill in the water? The river does not, the sea does not, and rain does not divide it. But in pride, a person creates a distinction that this is you and me.
Lakṣmaṇa replied, "Yes." Lord Ram says, "You are saying all this under the influence of Maya. Up until where your thoughts reach and your mind is able to go, that is Maya." Lakṣmaṇa replied, "Are you saying this is not injustice?"
Lord Rama said "Listen to me carefully. The axe that cuts a sandalwood tree is hit several times when it goes to a blacksmith for sharpening. It goes through fire. The sandalwood that did not let go of its qualities goes on the forehead of a God." The motion of a saint of a good deed is like the motion of sandalwood. There may be torture and suffering for a short period but trust me, if a person does not let go of his good qualities, then his spiritual progress is continuous.
The best spiritual seeker stops their spiritual progress because of anger. Anger is one vice that makes a person non-saint from a saint. He is going like an ant up on the wall and falls with a blow of wind. If a person wins over his anger, then he is a saint. Because you will feel that when we rise above our anger, all other emotions take a back seat and are unactionable. They then are almost out of life, dead.
All vices start from anger, and anger's base is ego. The ego does not break easily in a day and does not go away with persuasion. Ego comes from what we have accumulated and seen in our society and surroundings. If we spend many years in a new environment, our attitudes and tendencies will change accordingly.
But until it changes to its fullest, be mindful and ask yourself, did I get angry? When it comes, step back for a moment and ask yourself, why am I angry? Who in me is angry? Your mind's direction and motion will change at that very moment.
Conclusion :
Lord Ram in the Ramayan teaches us many lessons about ego and power. He shows us that ego and power should never be used to harm or control others. Instead, they should be used to guide, protect and help people. He also shows us that ego and power can be a source of strength if they are used correctly and that they should be balanced with humility. Finally, Lord Ram teaches us to always remain humble and respectful, even when we have power or influence.
What can we learn from Lord Ram?
Lord Rama was born in Treta Yuga to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in the holy land of Ayodhya. He belonged to a clan called Suryavanshis- descendants of the sun god. Being the eldest of the siblings, he was destined to rule the throne of Ayodhya, and he set ideal principles for not just a king but also for mankind such as:
Duty above everything else-
Lord Rama as a son always respected his parents and considered their wishes as his orders. He did not question once as to why he was being exiled and obliged to the demand.
Similarly, being the king of Ayodhya, his first duty was toward his citizens. When he learned that his people were not happy with him accepting Sita, he left his beloved in a forest in the care of a Sage.
Always stay humble-
Despite being the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, king of Ayodhya, and an immensely powerful man, Lord Rama was truly kind and humble. When Sabari offered him fruits that she tasted, he took them with much gratitude and love.
Keep good company-
By helping Sugriva win a battle against his brother and by being kind towards Hanuman and his friends, Lord Rama gained a very powerful and able circle of warriors/companions who helped him find Devi Sita and rescue her from Ravana.
Never give up-
It took Lord Rama a long time to find Devi Sita. However, he did not give up on the search and left no stone unturned. He traveled the lengths and breadths of Earth and fought valiantly till the last day of the battle. He also kept motivating his soldiers and companions to be brave and not give up.
Why is Rama a greater hero than Bharata and Lakshmana?
In the story of Ramayana, Rama is considered a greater hero than Bharata and Lakshmana for several reasons.
Firstly, Rama's character is portrayed as the epitome of righteousness and virtue. He is the embodiment of dharma or moral duty, and his actions throughout the story reflect this. For instance, he willingly accepts his exile to the forest, even though he was the rightful heir to the throne of Ayodhya because it was his duty as a son to obey his father's command. He also shows compassion towards all beings, regardless of their social status or identity, and treats them with respect and kindness.
Secondly, Rama's heroism is not just limited to his physical strength or bravery in battle. He also displays great wisdom, intelligence, and foresight in dealing with complex situations. For instance, he develops a strategy to rescue Sita from Ravana's fortress, which ultimately leads to Ravana's defeat. He also demonstrates his ability to forgive and reconcile with his enemies, such as when he forgives and befriends Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, after his defection.
Lastly, Rama's heroism is also derived from his selflessness and sacrifice. He willingly gives up his rightful claim to the throne of Ayodhya and accepts exile to the forest, so that his stepbrother Bharata could rule in his place. He also risks his own life to rescue Sita from Ravana's captivity and to protect the honor and reputation of his family.
While Bharata and Lakshmana are also important characters in the story of Ramayana and display their own virtues and strengths, Rama's character stands out as a greater hero due to his embodiment of dharma, wisdom, selflessness, and sacrifice.
