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Entering the New Millennium, one finds a steep erosion in values, especially of the family, the building block of society, due to uninhibited consumerism. It is necessary to reassess our values by emulating the great preceptor, Sri Rama. Some of these are:
Duty to parents – Rama was a dutiful son who obeyed his parents unhesitatingly by agreeing to go on exile for 14 years.
Filial love – His love towards his brothers is an example to follow.
Compassion – Rama’s deep compassion especially towards the poor and helpless, seen from his love towards Sabari, Jatayu, Vibhishana and others.
Statesmanship – Rama asked the fallen Ravana to go back and return the next day for battle. He could have easily killed a tired and disarmed Ravana but he did not.
Regard to foe – As Ravana was lying vanquished, Sri Rama asked Lakshmana to go and take some advice from Ravana. Concealing his pride, Lakshmana went and stood by the side of Ravana’s head and made his request. Ravana smiled and said what could he say to the brother of Vishnu incarnate. However to honour the request, he said, “What you intend doing tomorrow, do today and what you intend doing today, do now.”
Respecting common people’s views – Rama first made Sita pass a fire test to establish her chastity and later sent her to a hermitage while she was pregnant, though he himself had no doubts about her chastity. This was to show to the people by precept.
Ramakrishnan Srinivas,
Chemical Engineer,
Kolkata
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