1. Family is important
Prince Ram was all set to be anointed the King soon, being the eldest of the four sons of the King of Ayodhya. Yet an otherwise loving stepmother Kaikeyi was unnecessarily instigated into obstructing the path to Ram’s ascendance. But Lord Ram did not behave bitterly towards anyone, including the step-mother. He kept his father’s promise which he could have easily side-stepped. Father’s honor became a question of his own honor. This kind of bonding and positive attachment between members of the family can finally make all things come full circle.
2. Be careful of temptations
In exile, Ram, Sita, and Laxman were living a peaceful existence, in harmony with nature. When Lankan king Ravana arrived with his uncle Marich whom he asked to pose as a golden deer, that changed everything. Sita was completely charmed by the golden deer and asked Lord Ram to catch it for her to befriend. Lord Ram went after it and disaster struck soon after. The lesson here is to not run after sudden allurements, to value what you have instead of leaping into the unknown.
3. Follow instructions, don’t alter plans arbitrarily
When Rama went after Maricha the Golden deer, he clearly instructed Laxman to watch over the wellbeing of Sita. He warned him to not leave Sita alone even for a moment, come what may. But soon Marich and Ravana played another card. The Golden deer was actually the demon Marich – uncle of Ravana – who as per the plan, screamed in Rama’s voice “Save me Laxmana”. Sita and Laxman heard that but Laxman was not ready to move. Sita cried and asked him to go save her husband. Laxman left but drew a Laxman Rekha – an electrification kind of line beyond which no one can go to her. Sita was told to not overstep that line for whatever the cause. Laxman left to know Rama’s fate. Here Ravana, dressed as an old sage arrived and beckoned Sita to step across and give him charity. Sita felt compassion for the old man seeking alms. She stepped across the line and was abducted by the able Ravana.
4. Ram Setu showed even the smallest animal matters
Shri Ram’s bridge across the sea was built by monkeys and very little human effort. In fact, a squirrel is said to scurry to the construction with whatever amount of dust she could muster on her back. She added her two ounces of effort to the mammoth bridge. Ram is said to have been impressed and caressed her back – giving her the stripes.
5. Respect your enemy
With Ravana’s death at his hands imminent, Ram had no animosity left for him. The war was for the rescue of Sita – the wife of Rama – whom Ravana had abducted. Despite diplomatic approaches, Ravana had not relented and hence the war. In death, Ram honoured his enemy as another human. He was given a proper funeral. Ram had even asked Lamana to learn statecraft and spirituality from Ravana.
