Question
Core Messages of Ramayana and verses from Ramayana that one can refer, to enrich life in general
Answer
Qns-1- Is there a similar theological dimension to Ramayana?
Yes, there is indeed a theological dimension to Ramayana.And there is also a similar timeless wisdom,like in the Mahabharata epic, in the timeless epic Ramayana.
As said by Swami Vivekananda,the soul of every human being {the Jivatman}desires to be in affinity with the Paramatman{and attain Moksha}. But, the three Gunas viz Satva,Rajas and Tamas, which are present in the human body, always tries to prevent the human being from reaching the Paramatman.
Swami Vivekananda has explained these views, taking the example of Sita’s story from the Ramayana and how Sita reunites with Sri Rama, after the forced stay in Lanka.
In the said example, Sita’s journey, represents the journey of each human being’s soul.
Example given by Swami Vivekananda
For Swami Vivekananda, Sita’s story is symbolic of the soul’s journey towards Moksha.
According to Swami Vivekananda, Rama represents the Paramatman and Sita the Jivatman,in each human being, and each body is the Lanka.
The Jivatman which is enclosed in the body, or captured in the island of Lanka, always desires to be in affinity with the Paramatman.
But the Demons would not allow.
Elaborating this Swami Vivekananda says that Vibhishana represents Satvaguna, Ravana represents Rajas and Kumbhakarna represents Tamas.
These gunas will keep the Jivatman back, from joining the Paramatman.
Sita sees Hanuman the Guru or divine teacher who shows her, her divine ring – that is Brahmajnana, the supreme wisdom, that destroys all illusions. Sita finds her way to Sri Rama.
The Adhyatama Ramayana may be referred to, for enhancing the spiritual dimensions of thought. It contains the precepts related to devotion, knowledge, dispassion, adoration and good conduct etc. A copy of the Adhyatma Ramayana is available at the link attached.
Qns-2-What are some of the verses from Ramayana that one can refer to enrich life in general ?
Reading the Ramayana{verses} and applying its teachings, in the journey of life, will indeed help in enriching life in general.
The Ramayana epic, is the story of Sri Rama{avatar of God Vishnu} and his consort, Sita{avatar of Goddess Lakshmi} and the greatness of their Godly personalities.
The Ramayana is also the story of devotion and love of Sri Rama’s brother Lakshmana{Adishesha avatar of God Vishnu}.
The Ramayana epic is also the story of Ravana’s downfall. And amply highlights how arrogance and not adhering to the path of Dharma, becomes the cause of downfall of a being, despite having high scholarly achievements and other prowess.
The story highlights how Ravana was once a staunch devotee of God Shiva and how this devotion subsequently got eroded over a period of time and how that resulted in the loss of all blessings, which he had gained by worshipping God Shiva.
The Ramayana epic, is also the story of bravery of the Vanaras, who were basically, the divine creations of God Brahma, for aiding Sri Rama in annihilating Ravana.
In this context, it is pertinent to mention that, the gods became progenitors of Vanara heroes at the dictate of Brahma to come to the aid of Rama in annihilating Ravana. The monkey-like Vanara race was procreated by numerous celestials endowing it with peculiar mighty physique and particular power to come to the help of Rama.
When Vishnu attained the sonship of the great-souled king Dasharatha, then Brahma the self-created addressed all of the gods this way.Ramayana [1-17-1]
Let mighty and guise changing helpmates be procreated to that truth abiding and valorous Vishnu who is the well-wisher of all of us.Ramayana [1-17-2]
The earth is thus suffused with those mighty army generals of Vanara race whose physiques resembled the clusters of clouds and peaks of mountains, and who have emerged for the reason of helping Rama. Ramayana[1-17-37]
The Ramayana epic is also the story of many other important characters, who were associated with Sri Rama’s journey of life.
From the foregoing, one can appreciate that, every human being can benefit immensely, by reading the Ramayana epic{all its verses}, as it pictures the whole gamut of human life.
The Ramayana epic, throws light on the duties and responsibilities of humans, in various roles as father, mother, husband, wife, brother, sister, son, daughter,etc.
In addition, it also throws light on the duties of individuals as master, subordinate, teacher, pupil and so on.
There are many verses in the Ramayana with enriching teachings. These teachings can be applied practically, in day–to-day lives.
Few of the verses that one can refer to, which will enrich life in general, are as follows.
VERSES
1.दुर्लभम् हि सदा सुखम् ||{from २-१८-१३} Durlabham hi sadaa sukham
To be happy always is something which is difficult to achieve.That is to say, happiness and sorrow alternate in one’s life and there cannot be uninterrupted happiness alone.
2.सत्यम् एव ईश्वरो लोके सत्यम् पद्मा समाश्रिता | सत्य मूलानि सर्वाणि सत्यान् न अस्ति परम् पदम् || २-१०९-१३
Satyameveshwaro loke satyam padma samashrita. Satya moolani sarvaani satyaan na asti paramapadam.
Truth is God and all virtues follow truth. All are rooted in truth there is nothing higher than truth."
3.कुलीनम् अकुलीनम् वा वीरम् पुरुष मानिनम् | चारित्रम् एव व्याख्याति शुचिम् वा यदि वा अशुचिम् || २-१०९-४
Kuleenam akuleenam vaa veeram purushamaaninam Charitrameva vyaakhyaati shuchim vaa yadi vaashuchim
One's conduct explains whether one belongs to a good family or a bad family, valiant or arrogant and chaste or unchaste.
4.न सुप्रतिकरम् तत् तु मात्रा पित्रा च यत् कृतम् ||{from २-१११-९}
Na supratikaram tat tu maatraa pitraa cha yatkrutam
It is difficult for the children to repay the debt of what the mother and the father have done to bring them up.
5.उत्साहो बलवान् आर्य नास्ति उत्साहात् परम् बलम् | सः उत्साहस्य हि लोकेषु न किंचित् अपि दुर्लभम् || ४-१-१२१
Utsaaho balavaan aarya naasti utsaahaat param balam Sotsaahasya hi lokeshu na kinchid api durlabham.
Vehemence is might, oh, noble one, there is no superior might than vehemence and to him with vehemence there is no impossibility in the world, even the slightest.
6.अनिर्वेदम् च दाक्ष्यम् च मनसः च अपराजयम् | कार्य सिद्धि कराणि आहुः तस्मात् एतत् ब्रवीमि अहम् || ४-४९-६
Anirvedam cha daakshyam cha manasashchaaparaajayam Karyasiddhikaraanyaahuh tasmaat ethat bravimi aham.
Insistency, ingenuity and indomitability of heart are said to be the causes for achieving results, therefore I am speaking all this.
7.न विषादे मनः कार्यम् विषादो दोषवत्तरः | विषादो हन्ति पुरुषम् बालम् क्रुद्ध इव उरगः || ४-६४-९
Na vishaade manah kaaryam vishaado doshavattarah Vishaado hanti purusham baalam kruddhah ivoragah
Loosing heart to dismay is an unworkability, because dismaying itself is detrimental, and dismay alone ruins a person, as a vicious viper unworkably ruins an innocent child.
8.कल्याणी बत गथा इयम् लौकिकी प्रतिभाति मे | एहि जीवन्तम् आनदो नरम् वर्ष शतात् अपि || ५-३४-६
Kalyaanee bata gaathheyam laukikee prathibhaati me Ethi jeevantam aanando naram varsha shataadapi
Joy rushes to surviving man even though (it be) at the end of a hundred years- this popular adage appears true and auspicious for me.
9.कौसल्या सुप्रजा राम पूर्वा संध्या प्रवर्तते |
उत्तिष्ठ नर शार्दूल कर्तव्यम् दैवमाह्निकम् || १-२३-२
Fortunate is Kausalya to beget you as her son Rama... get up oh, tigerly-man, eastern aurora is emerging, daytime tasks towards gods are to be performed. [1-23-2]
The foregoing sloka, at Sl 9, is also the 1 st sloka of Sri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam, which is a prayer.
10.यद् अत्रभवतः किंचित् शक्यम् कर्तुम् प्रियम् मया |
प्राणान् अपि परित्यज्य सर्वथा क्ऱ्तम् एव तत् || २-१९-२१
If I have to do whatever action is dearer to my revered father, that action is just done in all respects even by renouncing life.
11.सा वीत शोका व्यपनीत तन्द्री | शान्त ज्वरा हर्ष विबुद्ध सत्त्वा |
अशोभत आर्या वदनेन शुक्ले | शीत अन्शुना रात्रिः इव उदितेन || ५-२९-८
Free from sorrow, her weariness removed, her mental affliction alleviated and her consciousness awakened with exaltation, that esteemed lady (Goddess Seetha) looked splendid with her countenance, as a night with the moon appears during the bright fortnight.
12.अशास्त्रविदुषाम् तेषाम् कार्यम् नाभिहितं वचः |
अर्थशास्त्रानभिज्ञानाम् विपुलाम् श्रियमिच्छताम् || ६-६३-१५
The words spoken by those who did not know the scriptures, who do not recollect the books dealing with practical life and who covet for abundant wealth are not to be implemented.
13.तस्य भूयो विशेषेण मैथिली जनक आत्मजा |
देवताभिः समा रूपे सीता श्रीः इव रूपिणी || १-७७-२८
In her mien Seetha is identical with goddesses, and she is like personified Goddess Lakshmi, thus she is the reshaped Divine Prosperity, and as she hails from Holy Mithila she shall be held Holy, and since she is the daughter of Janaka, a loftiest sagacious and invincible king, she is sagely and stately, besides being shapely, and she with all these heaps of natural traits and characteristics, Seetha is rejoicing the heart of Rama. [1-77-28b, c]
14.वाच्यावाच्यम् प्रकुपितो न विजानाति कर्हिचित् |
नाकार्यमस्ति क्रुद्धस्य नावाच्यम् विद्यते क्वचित् || ५-५५-५
An agitated person ever does not know which appropriate words are and which are forbidden words to be uttered. For enraged persons, there is neither an improper act nor ever an improper word to be spoken.
The study of the Ramayana is also the study of “Eternal Truths in Action”, as performed by Sri Rama, in the Ramayana.
Reference links:-
(1) http://sg.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/95117/9/09_chapter3.pdf
(2) http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/vr_index.htm
(3) https://archive.org/details/TheAdhyatmaRamayana
(4) http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga17/bala_17_frame.htm
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