The Ramayana is perhaps one of India’s greatest reflections on what the ideal man and woman, brother and sister, wife and husband, and friend and king should be. More specifically, the Ramayana shows the perfection of the prince who became king. He was known as Rama. Rama epitomized the values of his culture, and because of this, he is now revered as a god. He is the standard bearer for the values of a ruler, a husband and a brother.

In the Ramayana, Rama is set to become the king, but instead is banished into the forest by his father, because of a favor he owed unto one of his wives. Her maidservant Manthara persuaded Queen Kaikeyi she would be forced into slavery, as would her son Bharata, if she did not rid the land of Rama.

Like a slow but deadly poison worked the ancient nurse’s tears,

And a wife’s undying impulse mingled with a mother’s fears,

Deep within Kaikeyi’s bosom worked a woman’s jealous thought,

Speechless in her scorn and anger, mourner’s dark retreat she sought (Kirk 194).

The queen, after hearing the maid’s words long enough, committed herself to banishing Rama from the land, and having her son Bharata become king. Queen Kaikeyi went to the mourner’s room, and the king found her there, in a terrible shape. King Dasaratha inquired to her dismay, and the queen reminded him of a promise he owed her, and asked it to be met now. The king of course assured her anything she wished would be hers. Kaikeyi told the king her desire to see Rama banished and Bharata instead to be ruler. The king, after much mourning and lamenting, was forced to agree. Upon hearing this, Rama immediately consented, with no ill will towards King Dasaratha, or toward Queen Kaikeyi. "I would willingly give Sita, the kingdom, my life and goods to Bharata if he asked for them. How much more will I relinquish them for my father and fulfill his promise (Valmiki II.1.II)." This is a strong sign of Rama’s love not just for his father, but also for Kaikeyi, whom was not his mother. In addition, he refused to give in to his brother’s arguments that King Dasaratha’s word was not binding. Rama was the embodiment of what a son should do, and how he should behave. In fact, Rama has remained as the gauge of what a son in India should be like.

This is further evident when the entire royal family and others come into the forest to persuade Rama to come back with them and rule the land. Rama refuses, although they plead, argue, and cry for him to return. By this time, most people, especially princes used to luxury would have succumbed and returned with his people to lead them gloriously. However, Rama does not give in, for he wants his father to have honor. In this way, Rama is the perfect son, living in dharma.

Rama was also the perfect husband to his wife, Sita. Incidentally, Sita is also the standard bearer of what all Indian women should be like. When Rama married Sita, as is the custom they had never met before. Because of this, they were forced to fall in love with each other after marriage. Their love is strong, and, as it is proved through the fire test, monogamous. This provides a clear contrast with his father, King Dasaratha, who had three wives.

  A perfect example of their love for each other is when Rama was exiled to the forest, and Sita insists that she accompany him. Rama was relieved that she wanted to come, but he tries to make her stay because of his fear for her in the dangerous forest.

When Ravana kidnaps Sita, Rama is distraught. Rama says to Lakshman, "If Sita is alive I will return to the asrama, if she is dead I will relinquish my life (Whaling 51-52)." Suicide over the loss of a loved one requires a great deal of feelings for them. Also, when Rama finds out Sita has indeed been kidnapped, he trembles and asks Lakshman, "Is all well with Sita (Whaling 52)?" Rama was willing to go to any length to rescue Sita from his enemy Ravana. It is ultimately ironic that Rama was forced to banish Sita for what he felt was the greater good, his kingdom and his people. Although he was living and ruling a utopia, he was disheartened to know that Sita is out there without him.

Rama is not only a perfect husband; he is also a perfect ruler, willing to forgo his own pleasure for the welfare of his subjects. The banishment of Sita is an example of his ranking of statehood above his own life. Although it pained him greatly, he knew what was important for the preservation of his land and dharma. This aspect demonstrates the perfection of Rama as a ruler over his people.

In addition, Rama ruled the kingdom based upon dharma. An example of this was when Vibhisana came to Rama’s camp. When his enemy Vibhisana comes to Rama’s camp for protection, Rama affords him it. This is because Rama obeys his duty as a king, although he was not yet an acting ruler, to grant protection to those who have come to him for refuge (Whaling 68). Rama was truly a great and impartial king.

When Rama was the ruler of his land, it was prosperous, people did not go hungry, and there was great joy in the air. All of the religious ceremonies were observed, and the people loved Rama more than anything or anyone. All castes operated together without distrust, and there was great social harmony (Whaling 69).

Not only was Rama a great ruler of his people, but those who could call him their friend were lucky indeed. One such person was Sugriva. Rama and Sugriva pledged their friendship by the fire, so fire could be their witness, and vowed to aid each other in retrieving their wives. Rama takes care of his end of the bargain first by slaying the captor of Sugriva’s wife, Valin. When Lakshman was angered with Sugriva for not holding up his end of the pledge, Rama calms him down. Rama is not angered with Sugriva, because he trusts him.

Rama was also a great hero and warrior. It is Rama that slays the ultimate evil, Ravana. Rama also slays many demons not only in that epic battle, but also as a young boy of fifteen years of age (Whaling 59). In the epic battle with Ravana, Rama rallies his soldiers around him just when it seems as if they might lose the battle. Rama was also always confident in battle, his soldiers, or Lakshman, could take heart in knowing he would never fail them.

Also, Rama was the only one capable of wielding the bow of Siva, and Rama breaks it in two. It was widely believed even the gods could not bend the bow. Rama was a hero not only to those around him, but to himself and to his country.

Rama was also a perfect brother. He did not treat Bharata negatively after the news of his banishment reached him. In fact, he acted as if it had not occurred. When King Dasaratha died, and all of the royal family and the kingdom came to get Rama so he could take his rightful place at the throne, Rama declined. Even when Bharata himself insisted Rama take his throne, Rama insisted he stays and honor his father’s promise. In return though, Bharata vowed to leave Rama’s slippers on the throne, so Bharata would only be ruling in Rama’s absence.

Rama protested to love Lakshman more than Sita when Lakshman was wounded in battle (Val. I.7.16.). Rama also says to Lakshman, "You are my second self, and my prosperity is in you (Whaling 53)," and "I desire life and throne for your sake (Val II. 4. 43.)."

Rama was a perfect king, brother, husband, hero, and friend. Great people such as Ghandi have referred to his life. His time of rule in India is unanimously regarded as the best times of India’s. He is worshipped as a god, and his name is renowned around the world in Indian communities. He is, in short, the epitome of greatness and perfection, something that all Indian men aspire to be like.

 

Works Cited

Kirk, James A. Stories of the Hindus: An Introduction Through Texts and Interpretation.

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1972

Lai. Lakshmai. The Ramayana. Himayatnagar: DISHA BOOKS, 1992

Prasad, S., 1998. "Sri Nama Ramayana." http://www.home.att.net/~sprasad/namarame.htm

Whaling, Frank. The Rise of the Religious Significance of Rama. Delhi: MOTILAL

BANARSIDASS, 1980

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