T Ram Sewak

RAJA RAM

In Ramcharitmanas 7.20-31, Goswami Tulsidasji writes that with the advent of 'Ram Rajya,' righteousness, peace, tranquillity, ecological balance, and prosperity prevailed. The citizens were intelligent but humble and enjoyed a stress-free physical and mental well-being. Shri Ram, conscious of his duty as a King, teaches dharma (righteousness) to the citizens of Ayodhya through a discourse popularly called the Purajan Gita (7.43-47).

ek bar sab aaye.

baithe guru bhav bhanjan.

"One day, invited by Shri Ram, the Guru, the learned and all citizens assembled. When everyone had taken their respective seats, the Lord, who dismembers the shackles of birth and death of His devotees, addressed them".

In Gita 3.21, Shri Krishna says that people follow whatever a great man does. Demonstrating this dictum, Shri Ram performed His entire leela, establishing the tenets of dharma and setting the gold standard for conduct as a prince, son, brother, husband, and king. Now, He teaches His Purajan (citizens) how to live a life based on dharma and attain moksha (salvation). Also, after ensuring the well-being and happiness of his citizens in this material world, he focuses on their welfare in the spiritual world.

One dharmic attribute that sparkles here is Shri Ram's humility even while inviting and addressing the citizens, His Guru, and the learned. Through this address, Shri Ram sends a message to all rulers that their duty is beyond merely providing security and means of livelihood for their citizens; it's about their lives. How should they live? What are their duties? What is right/wrong? What value-based goals should they aspire to? Only a ruler who treads the path of dharma will have the moral right to urge his citizens to follow it.

What makes the masses worship someone even after centuries of their having departed? Two reasons: First, they served and cared for humanity, and second, they did it despite suffering personal loss and dukh. / DAILY WORLD /

Namami Ramam Musings-67

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com