4 Key Pursuits in Life: Insights from the Ramayana’s Four Brothers
From my school days, the tales of the Ramayana were a recurrent theme.
Growing up in the ’90s, I remember watching this epic unfold on Doordarshan, the only channel we had back then. Over the years, my understanding of the Ramayana was enriched through tales shared by my mother, grandmother, and uncle.
It was also officially integrated into our formal education curriculum, these stories were also frequently shared by teachers during informal sessions.
I vividly recall that during my years at my alma mater, Govt High School Medical Campus and later at Khallikote College, Odisha, the Ramayana was officially introduced to us at least on four separate occasions. Here’s a breakdown of those instances:
Class VIth —Literature — Odia (ପାଦୁକା ପୂଜା) in 1999 by Nirad Sir
Class VIIth — Literature — Odia (ରାମାୟଣ କଥା) in 2000 by Krushnapriya Didi
Class Xth — Literature — Odia (ଶ୍ରୀରାମଙ୍କ ନୌଯାତ୍ରା) in 2003 by Pramila Didi
Class XIth —Literature — English (The Ramayan on Television )in 2004 by Tripathi Sir
I’m deeply grateful to all my teachers for imparting the tales of the Ramayana so vividly; their lessons remain etched in my memory even after several years and it will remain forever.
As of 2023, it’s been several years since my formal education. Recently, I chanced upon a course Ramayana by His Grace Gauranga Das, a Spirituality, Sustainability, & Social Impact Leader at ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village, Palghar, Maharashtra, India. This course provided me with a fresh, enlightening perspective on the Ramayana. It made me realize how much there still is to learn about this epic.
So, Why Ramayana — Why Now? Let’s understand -
The Ramayana, one of the world’s oldest and most revered epics, isn’t just a tale of heroes, demons, and divine interventions. It’s a tapestry of life’s lessons, human values, and profound philosophies.
Central to the narrative are the four brothers: Rama, Laxman, Bharat, and Satrughna. While on the surface they are valiant princes battling the forces of evil, a deeper dive reveals that each embodies one of the four primary aims of human life, known in Sanatan philosophy as the puruṣārthas. These aims — Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth or purpose), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation) — guide human existence and endeavor. In this post, we’ll explore how each brother, through their actions and relationships, beautifully represents one of these pursuits, offering readers timeless lessons on balancing life’s intricate dance of duty, desire, ambition, and liberation.
- Rama and Dharma:
Rama, the protagonist of the Ramayana, epitomizes dharma or righteousness. Throughout the epic, Lord Rama is shown as the ideal son, ideal husband, and the ideal king. He consistently makes choices that uphold dharma, even when they lead to personal suffering or hardship. His adherence to duty and righteousness makes him the embodiment of dharma.
2. Laxman and Artha:
Laxman’s unyielding support and dedication to Rama can be seen as a pursuit of purpose or ‘artha’. While artha often refers to wealth and material success, in Laxman’s case, his wealth is his unwavering dedication and service to Rama. He renounces the comforts of the palace and chooses a life in the forest just to serve and be by the side of his elder brother, Rama.
3. Bharat and Moksha:
Bharat’s renunciation and his genuine desire to place Rama on the throne, even in Rama’s absence, shows his detachment from material desires and power. He rules the kingdom on behalf of Rama, keeping Rama’s sandals on the throne as a symbol of his brother’s rightful place. This detachment and placing duty over personal gain could be seen as moving towards moksha or liberation.
4. Satrughna and Kama:
Satrughna, the youngest of the brothers, is supportive of Bharat and is there to aid his pursuits. If he is associated with kama or desire, it might be viewed in the context of his dedication and desire to serve, support, and follow his brothers, especially Bharat.
It’s important to remember that these interpretations are allegorical, designed to impart deeper philosophical and ethical meanings. The Ramayana, at its core, is an exploration of human values, relationships, and duties, and these allegories serve to provide layers of understanding to these themes. Different scholars and spiritual teachers may provide varied perspectives on these associations.
So, why wait ? Consider visiting Ayodhya with your family to seek the blessings of Lord Rama. More importantly, embrace and internalize the values taught in the Ramayana.
Don’t forget to, Explore and enroll in courses from Govardhan Eco Village. Dive deeper into knowledge by visiting https://www.vidyapitha.in/
