SUDDHA - BRAHMA PARATPARA - RAM

" Brahman" means ' Absolute Truth'. and " Paratpara" is 'Supreme beyond the most high'. Both 'Brahman' and 'Paratpara' are synonyms. Sri Rama is the total expression of 'Brahman', and with the name and form as "Rama", he is the embodiment of dharma. He enacts the drama of Ramayana--an illusory show-- in which he acts like an ordinary man, expressing different emotions, and at the same time, sticking on to 'dharma'. He was ever conscious of his true ' Being' witnessing his own show as 'Rama the man'. Sita is not an independent entity. In the true sense, she is a part of Rama playing the role of an instigator of action in him. Sita is the 'becoming' part of Rama. They complement each other. .Rama, the hero, Sita the heroine, and Ravana the villain, are the main characters in the story of Ramayana (journey of Rama). Rama lived for 11000 years, and this story-Rama-Ayana- relates to a short period of around 40 years., including his fourteen years of forest life.


MahaVishnu and his consort Lakshmi have only , incarnated as Rama and Sita respectively, as per our belief. Now, a few thoughts regarding 'dharma':- ' Brahman the Absolute' is 'Param" (or paratparam) ' expresses' as 'Sat' which is inherent in " Param". This 'sat' only 'appears ' as phenomena. The functioning of the phenomena is according to a Rhythm. When the rhythm is applied to man's actions, it is known as 'dharma'. Thus, when man acts in a rhythmic way, he is following dharma i.e. lives in harmony with the phenomena. Sri Rama is the embodiment of dharma.


In the true sense, dharma of an individual to 'himself' is to realise the true Self in him. With this in contemplation, we may view dharma in different contexts:



dharma of an individual to another individual
dharma of an individual to parents
dharma of an individual to Guru
dharma of an individual to the family
dharma of an individual to the society
dharma of an individual to the State
dharma of an individual to the Nation
dharma of an individual to the world at large

Apart from this, there are dharmas prescribed for each varna (brahmana, kshatriya, vaisya, sudra) and for each asrama (brahmachari, grahasta, vanaprasta and sanyasa) All these codes are prescribed in dharma sastras. To realise one's true nature, is the highest dharma, as pointed out above. All other dharmas, in various walks of life, have the base in the said supreme dharma, and they are to be observed keeping in mind the supreme dharma. To the extent the supreme dharma is established in oneself, peace and harmony would prevail in his living through various walks of life. Sri Rama is fully aware of his Real ' Swaroopa', and he is exhibiting the 'swabhava' as 'Rama the man' to show dharma in its different aspects.


With this introduction, we may go through the dharma aspect projected in the story. Every hindu is expected to know the story, and so, the same is not repeated here.

When Rama is hesitant to kill the demon Tataka,( being a woman) , Sage Viswamitra justifies the necessity of killing, in the larger interest. Here, the dharma of obeying Guru's command prevails.

In the Parasurama episode, Rama could very well aim the arrow at the sage and kill him. He refrains from doing so considering the greatness of the brahmin-sage.

Rama is not at all disturbed by the words of Kaikeyi when she conveyed the desire of King Dasaratha i.e. Rama to renounce the coronation and go to the forest. Rama obeys the same. Here, the dharma towards his parents prevails.

While consoling mother Kousalya, Rama reminds her that the kingdom is not eternal, whereas dharma is eternal.

Rama endorses the view point of Sita that she is destined to share the sukha and dukkha of her husband and that she cannot be separated from him. Here, the dharma to the family prevails.

While taking leave of his father, Rama says " My only wish is to see that you adhere to dharma by fulfilling the promise given to mother Kaikeyi. I shall carry out the orders as if given by God".

Sage Bharadwaja says "Rama's forest life is going to benefit both sages and Gods. " The sage could foresee the events to happen in Rama's journey.

Rama advises Bharatha " this Universe firmly rests in Truth ("Sat'), and dharma is the manifestation of that Truth, and it is by dharma, the universe is sustained. When Bharatha threatens to go on fast till Rama returns, Rama dissuades him from that by saying that such a course is not to be resorted to by Kings, and only brahmins could do it.

Sages assembled before Rama could foresee the course of events to happen. They declare that King Dasaratha secured solution by redeeming his debt to Kaikeyi. Rama, likewise, wants to redeem his debt to his father.

When Sage Vasishta, in the capacity of a Guru, asks Rama to rule the kingdom, instead of going to forest, Rama politely replies that his parents words are to be obeyed, which is his primary dharma.

Rama, while speaking to his mother, reminds her of the tenets of dharma of a wife to take care of her husband; all religious observances on the part of a woman, are not praiseworthy if she doesn't serve her husband.

Sumitra, mother of Lakshmana, views the situation philosophically. She says that her inner mind says that Rama is the Lord of the Universe and that whether he be in the forest or in Ayodya, he would exhibit dharma. Her attitude is laudable.

Rama says that all events in one' s life are well determined, and one has no freedom on his part to change that course.

Sage Vasishta consoles Bharatha and advises that he should not react to situations and should develop an attitude of response in facing them. Sage Bharadwaja consoles Bharatha and advises that he should not blame his mother. Destiny leads our life.

Rama, in the guise of enquiry, elaborately discusses Raja - dharma, with Bharatha. Rama also advises him not to have any ill-feelings towards his mother Kaikeyi.

On reaching Dandakaranya, Rama had an encounter with one Rakshasa by name Virada who grasped Sita by surprise. Rama killed Virada and it was a blessing for him. He got again his original form of gandarva . He recalled, ' because of a curse, he turned out to be a rakshasa'.

On one occasion, Sita tells Rama that his intention of killing rakshasas without provocation from them, is not an appropriate act, although it was true that Rama had promised the sages to annihilate the Rakshasas. Further, she reminds him that in the forest , he is expected to lead an ascetic life following the principle of non-violence. Rama simply says that he has to keep his promise to the sages. (Rama is aware of the course of events to take place)

In the Surpanaka episode, Rama heard Lakshmana's sarcastic remarks (that sita is not beautiful as Surpanaka is , and that Rama might accept her as his second wife). Surpanaka then tried to grasp Sita to eliminate her. Rama asks Lakshmana to disfigure Surpanaka and chase her away. He later tells Lakshmana that it is not correct to pass sarcastic comments on wicked persons, which would result in serious consequences.

Rama spared Surpanaka's life for reasons best known to him. Surpanaka was destined to play an important role in brain - washing her brother Ravana . Similarly in the case of Maricha also, Rama purposely allowed him to escape from his arrow (which normally could not happen) on two occasions, because Ravana had to utilise him later.

Rama's killing of the rakshasas Kara, Thushana, Thisra and their army of 14000 rakshasas en- masse, single handed, is a defence measure, when they waged war against him, on the instigation of Surpanaka.

Ravana did not heed the advice of Mareecha not to have enmity with Rama , and that there is no greater sin than outraging another's wife. He also narrated his bitter experience with Rama., and his lucky escape, from Rama's arrow. When Ravana threatened to kill him , he preferred to be killed by Rama.

Sita is lured by the deer (Mareecha in disguise) and she expressed her desire to possess the animal. (Desire and posssesion lead to sorrow) . Rama himself goes to catch the deer. He does not send Lakshmana for reasons best known to him. The drama has to proceed further ultimately ending in the killing of Ravana and his associates.

Mareecha was faithful to Ravana, when he played his role as a deer, and made a false cry imitating Rama's voice. Mareecha could very well keep quiet, without making that cry. However, to have continuity of the drama, this was needed!

When Sita was being carried away by Ravana, Brahma and sages could see what was happening; but they let the event to take place, for they know that the same would result in their ultimate aim of destroying evil elements.

Rama expresses all kinds of emotions like any other ordinary mortal, when he found Sita missing. He laments, and out of anger , is threatening to destroy the entire Universe. Lakshmana took much trouble to console him.

Rama feels very sad on Jadayu's death and says 'fate cannot be conquered'.

On their way in search of Sita, they had an encounter with a rakshasa by name Kabanda. He was about to swallow them when they killed him by cutting off his hands. Kabanda then regained his original form of a gandharva , and in gratitude, directed them to Sugreeva for help to find out Sita.

After receiving the hospitality of Sabari - a woman from a hunter family-, they reached Kishkinda, made friendship with Sugriva, and promised to help to regain his wife and kingdom , by killing Vali .

Rama justifies the killing of Vali : As one belonging to Ikshavaku dynasty Rama is duty bound to protect the innocent and punish those who have transgressed the moral law. Vali being an animal, no one - to - one fight , nor face - to - face fight , was warranted to overpower and kill him.

Vibheeshana - saranagathy; Rama's famous words " I offer protection at all times to the one who comes to me only once to surrender and begs to me" This is considered as the most precious message similar to Krishna's message "sarva dharman parityajya..."

Rama tells Ravana "After being killed by me, you will also reach the same destination of gods, sages and noble kings" Rama sends back Ravana when he stood before him losing his bow as well as his chariot, and completely exhausted. Ravana was thus given an opportunity to repent for the bad deeds.

Ravana on hearing about the death of Kumbhakarna , realises and says to himself "I think Rama is Narayana himself".

On the death of Ravana, Vibeeshana laments and praises Ravana as the one who had mastered the vedas, as the one who did lot of penance, as the one who gifted lot of wealth to his friends and as the one who was determined in action. Rama consoles Vibeeshana saying "Enmity lasts upto death only, and the last rites to the dead should be performed with due honour".

Rama to Sita:"I fought the war to save the honour of my race. You now stand before me as a tainted person. You may go away from here". Sita declares "it is my femininity that stands supreme" Sita then asks Lakshmana to raise fire and she passes through it unscathed , thus proving her chastity. It is an act not to prove her chastity to Rama; but to add honour to Rama and to prove the value of chastity which even fire could not destroy.

All gods including Siva and Brahma reminds Rama "You are the Absolute; You are Brahman; You are Eternal; You are Shriman Narayana with Sri Lakshmy".