Lord Ram and his stand on Varnas and Castes
Ramayana tells the story of Lord Ram. Lord Ram is considered Maryada Purushottam मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम (Ideal Man), someone whom we all Hindus take inspiration from.
Ram stood for equality of all human beings: his were actions based on dharma. So it is interesting to see his stand on varna system and caste system. Researchers say there were no birth-based caste system at that time in Sat Yuga, like we currently see it around. Varna system was very much there, but it allowed freedom to people based on their occupation and inclinations. I read a portion of an article which lists examples of how Ram never discriminated based on castes. This may be enlightening to many:
Lord Rama cared for all human beings and was around people from all castes. There are many examples proving this beyond doubt:
Maharishi Valmiki, the composer of the original Ramayana was a Bhil Adivasi.
Lord Rama, with his brother Laxmana, visited Maharishi Matanga’s Ashram ' Rishi Matang was born into the lowest 'castes' as a Chandal. (Matang Rishi became a Brahman by his karma)
Lord Rama, while searching for Sita Devi together with His brother Laxmana was offered half-eaten fruit ‘ber’ from a Bhil tribal devotee ' Shabri. Rama and Laxmana gladly accepted and ate her remnants.
Maharishi Narada was a great devotee of Shri Rama and came from a Shudra caste and himself taught Ratnakar or Vailya (yet to become Valmiki) to meditate on the mantra “Rama Rama”.
Maharishi Vashista was reborn of Urvasi, an Apsara. He was a guru of Lord Rama.
Maharishi Parashara was son of a fisherwoman (Matsyakanya-Satyavathi Devi) and narrated the stories of the 10 avatars of Vishnu.
Lord Rama after all was the “noble that cared for the equality of all".
This is why he is hailed as Maryada Purushottam. We should learn our sense of true egalitarianism from him. In the time of today's divisive politics, our spirit of equality should not be lost in our attempt to be 'politically correct'; but should come honestly from our correct attitude and righteous actions.
(Rahul)
Ram stood for equality of all human beings: his were actions based on dharma. So it is interesting to see his stand on varna system and caste system. Researchers say there were no birth-based caste system at that time in Sat Yuga, like we currently see it around. Varna system was very much there, but it allowed freedom to people based on their occupation and inclinations. I read a portion of an article which lists examples of how Ram never discriminated based on castes. This may be enlightening to many:
Lord Rama cared for all human beings and was around people from all castes. There are many examples proving this beyond doubt:
Maharishi Valmiki, the composer of the original Ramayana was a Bhil Adivasi.
Lord Rama, with his brother Laxmana, visited Maharishi Matanga’s Ashram ' Rishi Matang was born into the lowest 'castes' as a Chandal. (Matang Rishi became a Brahman by his karma)
Lord Rama, while searching for Sita Devi together with His brother Laxmana was offered half-eaten fruit ‘ber’ from a Bhil tribal devotee ' Shabri. Rama and Laxmana gladly accepted and ate her remnants.
Maharishi Narada was a great devotee of Shri Rama and came from a Shudra caste and himself taught Ratnakar or Vailya (yet to become Valmiki) to meditate on the mantra “Rama Rama”.
Maharishi Vashista was reborn of Urvasi, an Apsara. He was a guru of Lord Rama.
Maharishi Parashara was son of a fisherwoman (Matsyakanya-Satyavathi Devi) and narrated the stories of the 10 avatars of Vishnu.
Lord Rama after all was the “noble that cared for the equality of all".
This is why he is hailed as Maryada Purushottam. We should learn our sense of true egalitarianism from him. In the time of today's divisive politics, our spirit of equality should not be lost in our attempt to be 'politically correct'; but should come honestly from our correct attitude and righteous actions.
(Rahul)
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