Epics in Imprints-1.pdf - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

VIVEKANANDA KENDRA PATRIKA
pleasure principle (Kama) and the
Mahabharata on power principle (Artha).
The Indian tradition and culture have
not forbidden the individual from
experiencing the mundane and sensual
pleasures. But they insist that should be
bound by the principle of Dharma with the
sole aim of liberation – Moksha. In this
process man’s consciousness grows from
the earthly’ plane to a universal plane. If
one forgets and eliminates the sole
purpose of life (Moksha ) leading a worldly
life, exclusively for the purpose of Artha
and Kama, one lands in competition,
conflict, chaos and destruction. The same
get reflected in society. The modern man
is experiencing, Artha and Kama ignoring
Moksha and the path of Dharma. He is
getting caught in the web of sorrow and
catastrophe.
In the Ramayana, Rama is praised
‘Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah:’. Rama stood
as the embodiment of Dharma. Rama took
the responsibility of establishing Dharma
not only in the domain of ‘Asuras’ (Lanka)
but also in the domain of Vanaras. When
Rama and Lakshmana were in search of
Sita, they met Sugriva the brother of Vali.
Sugriva had lost his wife as well as his
kingdom and was even thrown out from
Kishkindha. Rama and Sugriva were in
similar plight. Rama enraged by the
adharmic act of Vali and killed him to
establish Dharma in the kingdom of
‘Vanaras’.
Surpanakha the sister of Ravana was
attracted by the fascinating personality of
Rama. She expressed her desire for him,
but Rama refused to accept her. When she
tried to cross the line of Dharma, she was
punished. Here Surpanaka is a symbol of
Adharmic Kama like Vali and Ravana. She
aspired for pleasure for the sake of
pleasure. Rama aspired for pleasure
within the frame of Dharma and he
elucidated the path of Dharma and
declared “I will not tolerate even the
shadow of adharma on this earth”.
Ravana a learned person, acquired
enormous powers by his tapas. He
developed an animosity against great
rishis and Devas without reason. He
conquered the Devas, the Dikpalakas and
imprisoned them. He did not allow the
cosmic forces to perform their duties and
controlled the heavenly world. He
exhibited his strength and wealth before
Sita in order to lure her. He sought
pleasure by adharmic means. Due to his
adharmic action he lost everything in his
life, finally his life too.
After the war, Rama asked Sita to prove
her chastity not in suspicion of her but to
prove the purity of Sita to the world. Being
the king of ‘Ikshwakuvamsa’ he shouldered
the responsibility of guard the Raja dharma
and be an ideal to the subjects. Even at
the time of sending Sita to the forest basing
his charge on the casual utterance of a
common man, he sacrificed his personal
pleasures his principles to protect Dharma.
Here the concept is, if a king compromises
in protecting Dharma for the sake of
personal pleasures, people will only follow
him.
The Epic “The Mahabharata” deals with
power conflict. Pandavas and Kauravas
fought for the throne of Hastinapura.
Pandavas sought for their legitimate share
in the kingdom not for enjoing power but
to establish and protect dharma. It is quite
different in the case of Kauravas. If
Pandavas had aspired for power for the
sake of power and pleasure, they would