The Ramayana is one of the
greatest epics of Hindu Mythology. Written by the Hindu sage Valmiki, the
Ramayana is not just a story, but also an educational medium used by the
ancient sages to espouse the importance of doing your dharma (duty) in relationships. The Ramayana depicts characters
that we should aspire to be like, such as the ideal father, ideal son, ideal
brother, ideal leader, ideal wife, etc.
Learn how you can use one
of the greatest gems of Hindu Mythology, namely the Ramayana to teach your
family moral values and ethics with the following suggestions.
Sibling
Relationships
If your child has any
siblings, focus on the love the brothers had for each other. Why did Lakshman,
who was used to all the worldly luxuries due to a prince, decide to give all of
that up voluntarily to live with his elder brother for 14 years of hardship in
a forest? Because he loved his brother and could not bear the thought of having
to live 14 years without him.
You can also teach your
child the importance of standing up for his siblings with the example of
Surpanakha. When Surpanakha was insulted by Lakshman, her brothers Khaara and
Dooshan rushed to avenge her not caring of the fact that it could lead to their
death. When Rama and Lakshmana did indeed vanquish her brothers, Surpanakha
sought her other brother Ravana's aid, setting the wheels for the grand battle
between Rama and Ravan, good and evil, into motion.
In today's materialistic
world where disputes between siblings are commonplace, stories like these need
to be extolled and repeated time and again. Parents need to encourage their
children to not only spend time with their siblings, but also stand up for each
other and be there for each other when required. Such deep affection can be
cultivated only when parents encourage such growth, and keep emphasizing the
importance of love amongst siblings.
Differentiating between Right and Wrong
You can teach your child to
choose right over wrong even when wrong may feel more right by giving him the
example of Bharat, who was awarded the honour of ruling the mighty kingdom of
Ayodhya. Bharat could have just accepted the throne and the absolute power and
luxury that came with it but his sense of right and wrong would not permit him
to do what most others would greedily do. Instead, upon learning that his
mother Kaikeyi had unjustly managed to get Rama banished from Ayodhya, he
immediately went into the forest to look for Rama and offer him his rightful
position as ruler of Ayodhya. So great was his devotion to his brother and so
strong was his desire to be fair and just, that when Rama refused to return to
Ayodhya before completing his 14 years in exile, Bharat placed Rama's footwear
on the throne and ruled Ayodhya in the name of Rama – as Rama’s emissary until
he returned to regain his rightful position.
This teaches your child
that even if something is extremely desirable, he should only accept it if is
attained in a just manner without hurting or affecting anyone else in an unfair
and unjust manner.
The Value of a Promise
Dashrath had granted
Kaikeyi two boons when she had saved his life on the battlefield. The day before
Dashrath was to retire and crown his eldest son Rama as king, Kaikeyi demanded
that Dashrath grant her the boons she desired as promised. Her first desire was
that Rama should be exiled to the forest for fourteen years, and the second,
that her son, Bharat, be crowned King in his stead. Dashrath was naturally
heartbroken at the prospect of having to send his son into exile for fourteen
years, but for this noble hearted clan, honouring one’s word is the highest
duty. Even when Dashrath began to falter at the prospect of actually following
through on his promises due to his love for his first born and pleaded with
Rama not to leave, Rama reminded his father of the value of a promise given and
left Ayodhya to keep his father’s word. When Bharat begged Rama to return to
Ayodhya, Rama once again reminded Bharat that he could not and would not
dishonour his father by breaking the promise he had made to Kaikeyi.
If Rama, a prince who had
been brought up in the lap of luxury and who stood to gain a position of absolute
power and luxury if he disregarded his father’s promise, willingly chose to
live a life of exile and hardship for 14 years in a forest, what does it teach
our children? It teaches them not to tarnish the value of their promise for
small and unimportant things like eating their veggies or finishing their
homework and so on.
Love and Respect for Parents
Rama's insistence on
keeping the promise made by his father also shows the deep love and devotion
that he had for his parents. He willingly chose to spend 14 years in exile in a
forest to protect his father’s much respected honour. Such was the regard he
paid to his father. Dashrath too loved his child so deeply that when Rama left
for the forest, Dashrath could not bear the thought of being away from his son
for 14 years and breathed his last.
This demonstrates the love
and respect Rama had for his parents. He listened to every command his parents
made, he honoured their promises and ensured that no one could accuse them of
being unfair. He did not go against his parents’ wishes even though being
passed over for the throne was unfair to the firstborn son of the ruler of a
mighty kingdom. He obeyed his parents and is immortalised for doing so. It also
showcases the love parents have for their children. Hopefully, the fact that Dashrath dies pining for his
son will make them aware of the attachment you have for them and will make them
more respectful of and more devoted to you.
Beware of Bad Counsel
Kaikeyi was fundamentally a
good natured woman, but was convinced to send Rama into exile and insist on her
son Bharat being crowned king by the venomous counsel of her maid servant whom
she consider loyal and wise. Manthara’s vicious scheming not only poisoned
Kaikeyi’s mind into demanding those two appalling boons, but also ruined her
life. She lost her beloved husband to heartbreak and her son Bharat, for whom
she asked for those very boons, chastised her for dreadful behaviour.
This is a very important
lesson for your children. It teaches them to stay on guard against vicious
counsel. It teaches to be vigilant in order to avoid being scammed. It teaches
them to be firm of mind and not let their minds get swayed easily by people. It
teaches them to question their behaviour and think of the consequences of their
actions before making any big or small decisions.
Protecting the Weak
Jatayu, an aged demigod in
the form of a vulture, witnessed Ravana kidnapping
Sita and taking her forcefully to Lanka. Disregarding his old age, Jatayu tried
to save Sita by fighting Ravana valiantly but failed. Rama and Lakshman came
across him where he was lying breathing his last. Jatayu informed Rama about
Sita’s whereabouts and Ravana’s plans before breathing his last. Moved to tears
by the gallantry and courage of the aged Jatayu, Rama gave the bird
its last rites as though the bird was his father.
This teaches your child
that he must always stand up for the weak. If his friends begin bullying a
younger child, your child’s moral code will not allow him to just stand by as a
meek spectator. The fact that Jatayu was so old and still tried to take on the
powerful Ravana single-handedly, teaches your child to be courageous and be
unafraid to take on any challenge that comes his way and accomplish it to the
best of his ability.
Therefore, retell the Ramayan to your children
not just for its piety, but also because the magnum opus teaches your children
to have strong morals and live a life of righteousness. The Ramayana will enrich
their lives and help you mould your children to be the leaders of tomorrow with
strong cultural and traditional influences.
