Topic > The Role of Dharma in the Ramayana by Rk Narayan

The Ramayana is a significant text found in the Hindu religion, which presents Rama as an ideal human being. Rama's journey through life is used as a model for how to live. According to RK Narayan's version of the Ramayana, human beings should realize their own dharma and encourage others to do the same. Following one's dharma will show human beings what they should do, what they should avoid doing, and how they should respond to adverse situations they encounter in life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayR. K. Narayan's Ramayana details several accounts of Rama following his dharma and living a good life because of it. Rama first fulfills his role as a good son when he obeys his father's command to travel with and protect the sage Viswamithra. His obedience is rewarded when his true power is awakened during their journey. This happens in chapter 1. He later fulfills his role as a good son again, when he honors his father's word and leaves Ayodhya to live in the forests for 14 years. His father begged Rama not to leave, but Rama's stepmother Kaikeyi reminded him, “It is your duty to help your father keep his promise. Otherwise he will be damned in this and other worlds. You have a duty to him as a son." Upon hearing this, Rama kept his father's word and immediately left to live in the forests with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. This episode has been described in detail in chapter 3. Leaving Ayodhya, Rama was able to learn from the saints and ultimately rid the world of evil forces. Rama fulfilled not only his role as a good son but also that of a good husband. An example of Rama fulfilling his role as a good husband was depicted in chapter 7 of R K Narayan's Ramayana, when Sugreeva asked Rama to join him in the capital. Rama replied, “I have lost my wife; and it should not be said that I am enjoying the luxuries of a palace, when perhaps she is suffering untold suffering somewhere.” Rama did not stop trying to save his wife, Sita, until he achieved his goal and saved her from Ravana in chapter 12. Since one should honor one's dharma, one must also be careful not to violate any part of one's dharma. Some characters from RK Narayan's Ramayana who violated their dharma are Soorpanaka and Ravana. Soorpanaka violated her dharma as Ravana's sister when she deceived and manipulated him into taking Sita so that she could gain access to Rama's affection in chapter 5. Although her brother took Sita away, Soorpanaka did not gain favor with Rama and only accomplished in pushing Ravana to violate his own dharma. Ravana violated his dharma as a faithful husband when he kidnapped Sita, a married woman, and ignored his wife in chapter 5. By taking Sita and refusing to return her to Rama, Ravana brought about his own destruction, which occurred in chapter 12 .When the characters violated their dharma in RK Narayan's The Ramayana, Rama had to face many adverse situations. In the face of these challenges, Rama was humble and fulfilled his dharma to the best of his ability. Rama helped others, remained faithful and loyal, forgave and did not harm others unless he had no other choice. When his enemy's relative, Vibishana, sought asylum with him in chapter 10, Rama said, "Whatever may happen next, it is our first duty to protect him." When Rama welcomed Vibishana, he helped him win the battle against Ravana by revealing information about Ravana's troops and weapons. When Rama won the battle against Ravana, he was able to save., 2006.