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Lord Ram–eternal symbol of human ideals (Maryada Purushottama Rama): Vangamaya Vol-30

The holy Ramayana is a unique pearl in the unlimited treasure of Indian culture which has been glowing the hearts of billions of people from different walk of society since ages. This religious scripture has also been a center of attraction for erudite studies in Literature and Social Philosophy. It describes the divine life and ideal character of Lord Ram who is regarded as an incarnation of God Vishnu – the second of the trinity Gods, who had appeared in human form in the Tretaa Yug (ancient era after the Vedic age) to protect the earth from devil threats and suppressions and to create heavenly environment of life on this planet.
The “Valmikiya Ramayana” written in ancient Sanskrit verse by Maharshi Valmiki and the “Ram Charita Manasa” written in a popular dialect of Hindi by Goswami Tulasidas are regarded as the most original and complete versions of Ramayana. Every direction of the righteous human life is covered in these great treatises on the character and life of Lord Shriram. God’s manifestation in human form as Shriram is a symbol of culmination of human glory. That is why the character of Lord Shriram is considered to be that of “maryaada purushottama” – supreme glory of mankind.
The lives and works of great personalities, angels or divine incarnations are described, studied, read and discussed again and again…. to educe the reflection of their virtues and teachings in more and more people with greater impact. “Shriram Charita Manasa” or “Tulasi Ramayana”, as it is sometimes called, serves this purpose remarkably. The attribution of the divine image of Lord Ram, the simplicity of Tulasi’s language and the lucid style and rhythmic arrangement of his words is so beautifully conjugated here that it becomes more and more interesting and closer to the heart, as one repeatedly reads it or listens to its discourses….
The Tulasi Ramayana is perhaps the most read and well received book in India. Almost every Indian has read or heard it in some form. It can indeed be an excellent mode of teaching moral conduct and social and civic responsibilities to the masses in a country like India. Pt. Shriram Sharma’s acumen had realized this fact with an objective of enlightenment of people in the modern times. He therefore had made it an integral part of the “vichaar kraanti” project of his Yug Nirmaan mission – which aims at cultivating suitable environment of life and culture in today’s society by way of refining and ameliorating people’s thinking and arousing eternal sentiments of humanity in their hearts.
Acharya Sharma had incorporated the implications and teachings of “Ram Charita Manasa” in the public-awareness programs of his mission and elucidated specific qualities and incidents of the ideal life of Lord Ram in order to set the background for moral education and social elevation under the vichaara kraanti programme. The present volume of Vangmaya series discusses important aspects of Ramayana and character of Lord Ram in new light, emphasizing the points which are most relevant for the human society today.
The central theme of Ramayana as projected via selected stanzas called “chaupaais” (metre or verse of four lines) in the “Ram Charita Manasa” – has also been elaborated here perspicuously…. Lord Ram’s divine personality is that of a true hero, affectionately honored by the masses through the depth of their hearts. His appearance as a prince, a citizen, a son, a brother, a husband, a friend, a warrior or a king,….. etc, is indeed ideal. His serene love and generosity for all beings, his pains for the downtrodden, his piety, naturally make him an ideal hero whose duty-bond life and virtuous character leaves remarkable impressions on the human mind. This along with the impact of religious faith of people in the holy Ramayana makes Lord Ram’s life as the best example for teaching – what is an ideal conduct at personal, familial and social levels. His life is therefore the best theme for Acharya Sharma’s mission of evolution via development and elevation at the grass-root, which emphasizes righteous and natural progress of the personal, familial and social spheres of life. In the present volume, specific pieces of the “Rama Charita Manasa” are presented along with literal meaning, implications and detailed explanations. Emphasis is laid on the aspects pertaining to our day-to-day life. Interesting stories and illustrative examples are also cited to make the reading more lucid and comprehensible.
A significant number of scholars and saints have written or preached on Ramayana from different angles. Ramayana is like an ocean of knowledge encompassing the expansion of almost all tendencies and all varieties of emotions and aspirations of human life although, in the context of the times of yore. Bringing out real ‘pearls’ from the abyssal of this ocean is indeed an arduous task demanding in-depth study of the earlier works and research to extract the nectar for the benefit of the world today. More important is the eloquent style of presentation of this essence to make it useful for all men and women – including the illiterates and the erudite scholars as well. The present volume has the confluence of all – the essence of Ramayana and excellence of expression and the power of engrossing and inspiring people’s mind and heart.
Despite being a divine incarnation, Lord Ram lived like an ordinary human being and faced the ups and downs of life….. His pious personality and unperturbed devotion to the highest ideals of humanity reflect how an ordinary human could rise up to higher realms of humane glory and eventually awaken the source of divinity existing in himself. The truth of “Jeevo Brahmaiva Naaparah” (the individual and thou souls are one and the same in the origin…..) – becomes alive in the life of Lord Ram as a human being…..
Different chapters and sections of the present volume focus at different aspects of the life of – Maryaada Purushottam Shriram. How he sets examples of ideal conduct and ideal behavior in his interactions with his parents, wife, brothers, sisters, children, fellow beings, teachers, subordinates, etc, is elucidated here giving details and practical guidance in the context of the circumstance and mode of living in the present times…… Importantly, the topics of hygiene, health, education, family planning, financial self-reliance, etc, are also covered here along many other important facets of personal and familial life. Social issues, of special relevance to the Indian society are also discussed. These include – the need for equality of man and woman, ideal system of marriages, eradication of castism and religious anomalies…., etc. Explanations along with citations from the “Ram Charita Manas” are made to enable the reader get a glimpse of the true implications and impact of the philosophy and religion in original social system of India. For example, in the context of the topics of Shabari and Kevata, it is highlighted that – Lord Ram believed in equal respect for all; he established a happy and progressive social system free from the discriminations due to caste, creed, religion, community, sex or social status etc….. The prudence, integrity, valor, patience, fairness, altruism and virtuous deeds of Lord Ram as a king are analyzed here to highlight what makes one a successful leader, a perfect hero of a nation…..
The topics of religion, devotion and God too are focused here in the context of the life of Lord Ram and associated teachings of the Ramayana with a major objective to eliminate the misconceptions and illuminate the readers’ minds with the righteous meanings and importance of the philosophy of religion, impact of devotion on human psychology and the bhakti yoga and realization of God. Those who have not read anything on Ramayana as well as those who know it by heart all should read this volume to find the solutions to the problems of their own lives and to the problems faced by the world at large. Knowing about Maryaada Purushottama Lord Shriram, from the author Pt. Shriram (Sharma), who not only shared the name but also the divine virtues of the former – is indeed a rare opportunity bestowed by this volume.