06/08/2020
Shri Ram - Idol for every yoga practitioner
by Gandhar Mandlik
About 7500 years ago, India witnessed the life of a great king Shri Ram who lived an exemplary life of a yogi. Shriram’s life gives a powerful message of truth, equality, unconditional love, respect, discipline, simplicity, restrained mind and selflessness. Additionally, the wonderful and inspiring story of Shri Ram has set an ideal direction for individuals and the society for generations. Shri Ram represents the cultural identity of not only the Indian society but also other countries like Thailand, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Ramayan, the story of Shri Ram is popular in countries like Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Iran and in religions like Buddhism and Jainism.
The example Ram Rajya or kingdom of Ram is the perfect idea of rule of law. Mahatma Gandhi lived with this idea of Ram Rajya close to his heart and died with the last words of “Hey Ram”. Although Shri Ram never wrote any text or religious book, people cutting across the society have treasured him as a role model and embodiment of the virtues. The Hindus all over the world treat him as the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu (Shri Vishnu is the cosmic energy responsible for maintaining the creation) for his virtues.
Shri Ram was born into a royal family belonging to the kingdom of Ayodhya (Ayodhya is located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in India). He was a very intelligent, educated and well-trained prince. Shri Ram was undoubtedly a great scholar and the best archer of his time. The eldest of 4 siblings, he was to succeed his father and become the next king. However, a selfish politics deprived him of his rights, and he was sent to 14 years in forest without any fault of his own. Interestingly, Shri Ram accepted this injustice as a respect to his father and stepmother and his commitment to keeping the word given to his parents. Furthermore, he left on this unknown journey without any discontent or aggression accompanied by his wife Devi Sita and younger brother Laxman. Interestingly, he was equally comfortable with hardships of forest life as if the life was same like that of his comfortable palace.
During the exile, the beautiful Devi Sita was kidnapped by Demon King Ravan as the demon wanted to marry her. Despite having no army of his own, Shri Ram did not lose the courage while exploring the available options. He met Shri Hanuman, a wise and powerful tribal leader who later became a great devotee of Shri Ram. With the help of this group of tribal people, Ram found Sita who was kept in captivity in Sri Lanka. The way to reach Sri Lanka was very difficult as the ocean had to be crossed but by building a bridge using innovative thinking the army reached Sri Lanka and fought a war with king Ravana, defeating him.
During his stay in the forest, Shri Ram brought positive changes to the lives of tribal people, showing the society that a life of simplicity and preserving nature is extremely crucial for survival of mankind. May it be a story of saving a little squirrel or treating the injured bird or planting banyan trees, he showed the deep connection we have with the nature. His stories of transforming mistreated life of Ahilya, a neglected woman yoga practitioner or extreme respect given to Shabri, a tribal woman living the path of yoga, displayed the higher importance and respect women should be given in progressive society. Shri Ram fought for the honour of women. Moreover, despite winning the war he didn’t take over the kingdom but reinstated Bibhishan as the king, the brother of slain king Ravana. The story of Shri Ram is about courage, standing up for truth, fighting for the honour of women, protecting and respecting the weak and neglected, non-attachment, humility and unconditional love for all life forms.
In conclusion, every society needs a role model for inspiration, direction, trust and positive experience of life. Shri Ram represents the these virtues which are necessary for positive experience of life and for survival of humanity. If we try to follow Shri Ram’s path of truth, then there will be no problems. Furthermore, all will have respect for each other, everyone will get equal opportunity and the direction of personal and social life will be beyond desires and ego which will stop destruction of nature.
Jai Shri Ram