A few years ago when Ramanand Sagar directed “Ramayana” and then “Uttar Ramayana”, all of us suddenly became aware of the stories and the knowledge imbibed in the great epic. While Ramayana focused on the life and character of Sri Ramchandra as growing into a great king or ruler, the Uttara Ramayana focuses on the life of Sri Ramchandra as a ruler of Ayodhya. Along with the faces of Arun Govil as Ram and Deepika Chikhliya as Sita, Ramanand Sagar also became a face in every family. Ramanand ji touched upon the topic of Sita and Ram’s end very carefully and delicately so as not to hurt the public sentiments.
While reading through the Valmiki Ramayan, when Ram finds out about Luv and Kush, he offers them to come to their kingdom as princes. When asked about Sita, Ram responds that he had never exiled or left his wife but the queen of Ayodhya. Ram had always upheld his principles. Knowing it all, Sita chose to return back to Mother Earth. Later Ram requested for solitary time in his chamber. Lakshmana vowed at Ram’s request and told that he would guard the door and if yet someone sneaks in, he would cut his head off. When Lakshman was guarding the door, he saw Sage Durvasa hurriedly heading towards the door seeking a conversation with Ram. Lakshman stopped in his tracks and requested to come later as Sri Ram seeked solitary confinement gathering himself. Sage Durvasa, known for his anger upon not meeting his conditions, told Lakshman that he shall curse whole of Ayodhya to burn if his request is not granted. Horrified at thinking of Ayodhya’s feet, Lakshman opened the door of Ram’s chamber and fell on Ram’s feet telling him about Sage Durvasa. Ram smiled at Lakshman. Turning around Lakshman saw there was no Durvasa. Ram explained to Lakshman that finally the thought of Ayodhya took precedence in Lakshmana. Lakshmana felt sorry for his behavior and also to keep his vow, went to the banks of Saryu to chop off his head and end himself.
Ram explained to Lakshmana that all his life he followed every promise to uphold his family principles. All his life he lived and performed his duties towards Ayodhya. He gained name, his prowess, friends, love of his brothers and immense knowledge in his performance of duties. However, as an individual, he had lost everything – his wife, his kids, his home and his life while following his duties. Lakshman on the other hand exemplified his loyalty towards Ram throughout his life. He was so devoted that he left his own wife back at the place and walked into the forest following his brother and sister-in-law on their path to exile. Fulfilling his loyalty towards Ram, Lakshman fought in the war against Ravan and got severely hurt. However, he got his life back when Hanuman brought the Sanjivani herb from Himalayas overnight. But, when he changed his loyalty towards Ayodhya, he had to give away his life.
Similarly, when it was time for Ram to meet Yama, he had to send Hanuman to nether world else Yama could not have entered the periphery of Ayodhya. Hanuman’s loyalty was towards Ram. However, fulfilling his duty, he missed the point what Ram wanted.
Loyalty is always a great asset. Every good leader needs to have at least a few loyal followers with him. At the same time, loyalty helps one to safeguard them and follow a proven path easily. However, it is a question as to how much of loyalty is actually good? Should I give in to my leader’s voice completely? Should I reason with what is being asked of me? Should my subjects reason with me? What if all my people blindly follow whatever I suggest?
My thought is to reason, ask and understand while being loyal. This not only saves yourself, but also helps to be of some value to your leader as well.
Story taken from the book "Sita" by Dr Devdutta Pattnaik.
While reading through the Valmiki Ramayan, when Ram finds out about Luv and Kush, he offers them to come to their kingdom as princes. When asked about Sita, Ram responds that he had never exiled or left his wife but the queen of Ayodhya. Ram had always upheld his principles. Knowing it all, Sita chose to return back to Mother Earth. Later Ram requested for solitary time in his chamber. Lakshmana vowed at Ram’s request and told that he would guard the door and if yet someone sneaks in, he would cut his head off. When Lakshman was guarding the door, he saw Sage Durvasa hurriedly heading towards the door seeking a conversation with Ram. Lakshman stopped in his tracks and requested to come later as Sri Ram seeked solitary confinement gathering himself. Sage Durvasa, known for his anger upon not meeting his conditions, told Lakshman that he shall curse whole of Ayodhya to burn if his request is not granted. Horrified at thinking of Ayodhya’s feet, Lakshman opened the door of Ram’s chamber and fell on Ram’s feet telling him about Sage Durvasa. Ram smiled at Lakshman. Turning around Lakshman saw there was no Durvasa. Ram explained to Lakshman that finally the thought of Ayodhya took precedence in Lakshmana. Lakshmana felt sorry for his behavior and also to keep his vow, went to the banks of Saryu to chop off his head and end himself.
Ram explained to Lakshmana that all his life he followed every promise to uphold his family principles. All his life he lived and performed his duties towards Ayodhya. He gained name, his prowess, friends, love of his brothers and immense knowledge in his performance of duties. However, as an individual, he had lost everything – his wife, his kids, his home and his life while following his duties. Lakshman on the other hand exemplified his loyalty towards Ram throughout his life. He was so devoted that he left his own wife back at the place and walked into the forest following his brother and sister-in-law on their path to exile. Fulfilling his loyalty towards Ram, Lakshman fought in the war against Ravan and got severely hurt. However, he got his life back when Hanuman brought the Sanjivani herb from Himalayas overnight. But, when he changed his loyalty towards Ayodhya, he had to give away his life.
Similarly, when it was time for Ram to meet Yama, he had to send Hanuman to nether world else Yama could not have entered the periphery of Ayodhya. Hanuman’s loyalty was towards Ram. However, fulfilling his duty, he missed the point what Ram wanted.
Loyalty is always a great asset. Every good leader needs to have at least a few loyal followers with him. At the same time, loyalty helps one to safeguard them and follow a proven path easily. However, it is a question as to how much of loyalty is actually good? Should I give in to my leader’s voice completely? Should I reason with what is being asked of me? Should my subjects reason with me? What if all my people blindly follow whatever I suggest?
My thought is to reason, ask and understand while being loyal. This not only saves yourself, but also helps to be of some value to your leader as well.
Story taken from the book "Sita" by Dr Devdutta Pattnaik.
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