Our Ideals
The Hindu mythologies are perhaps the world’s richest, with unparallel epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In India, children from all families irrespective of class or sects, grow up learning moral values from these epics. I try to quickly sum up my thoughts on who can be considered ‘ideal’, in roles and deeds:
Ram: Ideal Husband
In my opinion, Ram was the ideal husband. The reasons are many; main one is that Ram and Sita, even after being God and Goddess themselves, chose to sacrifice their togetherness - this was the biggest test which they passed. Ram deserted Sita in order to carry out his Raj Dharma - this was the ultimate sacrifice which he made, being a loyal "husband" - without any ill feeling towards Sita. His trust in Sita was beyond any comparison. Another very strong point was that Ram never married again even after leaving Sita. Without Sita, he didn't sleep on the bed and always remembered her. When he did yagya after Sita was not there, he kept her idol at his side. He installed Sita's son as the next king after him. Before that, in order to take back Sita, Ram went on and destroyed Ravana and his kingdom of Lanka - risking his and his follower's life. Because Ram and Sita passed the biggest test - of sacrificing association for the wellbeing of this world - Ram and Sita are the ideal couple in this world.
Lakshman: Ideal younger Brother
Lakshman, the younger to Ram is also considered ideal brother. He went along with Ram to the forest as vanvaas. As soon as he heard about Ram’s vanvaas, he resolved to go along with Ram even when he had no business there. And there, he passed the biggest test – he even chose to stay away from his parents, his wife, his state, just to be with his elder brother Ram and to service him… He even risked his life in the war with Ravana. Lakshman represents the ideal younger brother…
Ram: Ideal Son
Ram played the role of ideal son in his life. Just to fulfil the wish of his father, he went to jungle for 14 months. And his father’s wish was not his own, his father’s wish was actually the wish of one of Ram’s step mothers. But Ram loved his father so much, that he took up all troubles in order to fulfil the wish of all those whom his father respected – Ram treated all his (step) mothers as his real mother… Ram represents the ideal son…
Hanuman: the ideal devotee
Hanuman ji is considered the ideal devotee. So much was his love and bhakti for Ram, which can be cited with so many events and examples throughout the stories of Ramayana that I think there has been no other devotee like Hanuman ji so far in the entire world… His bhakti took such a form that he considered himself a sevak – a servant – of Ram. And he served all his life in the bhakti of Ram, serving him as a servant. His this form of Swami-Bhakti is still practiced and taken inspiration from, by many Hindus…
Sati or Parvati: the ideal wife
Sati, wife of Shiva is considered the ideal wife. At the mere sight of insult to her husband, she chose to die in order to take another incarnation to get Shiva back. She did lots of Tap in order to get Lord Shiva as her husband. And all this despite the fact that she was Shakti – the power of God – herself. But she never showed-off her powers in pride and remained attached to her husband for whole life. Shiva in returned, loved her more than anyone else, despite always being in renunciation…. Parvati, Shiva and their sons – Ganesha and Karthik – are considered symbol of a happy family by all Hindus…
Sita: the ideal wife
Sita, wife of Lord Ram, is considered the ideal wife by all Hindus. She is worshipped as a Goddess too. She and Ram were made for each other, and they enjoyed period of togetherness. She also did sacrifice when she decided to remain with Ram when Ram was sent to the forest for 14 years: meaning her life without her husband was incomplete. When Ram had to leave her, she showed some real strength of character and gave birth to and raised her children in the best manner possible. Later on, according to legend when she saw Ram again and when Ram was in a dilemma to accept her back or not: she chose to leave this mortal world and free Ram from all dilemmas: showing the superiority of the feminine… Sita is worshipped as the ideal wife…
Parshuram: the ideal Kshatriya
Sage Parshuram is can be seen as ideal Kshatriya (warrior) by all Hindus. The legend says at one time, the kings and kshatriyas of the time had become too oppressive and had deviated from the path of dharma. Then one day while Jamadagni, Parshuram's father, was sitting near his house deep in meditation, the king Kartavirya Sahasrarjuna arrived there seeking hospitality. But as Jamadagni was deep in meditation, he did not offer the king the customary salutations. Greatly angered, the king killed the sage. When Parshuram returned he deduced what had happened and was so enraged that he not only slayed the king but all the despots of the world. In the end, tired and weary of war, he began a long penance on the western coast of India on a tract of land (now known as Kerala) reclaimed from the sea. Later, he left for Kamarupa (now called Assam) where he changed the course of the river Brahamputra, turning it towards India. All his work were selflessly done with great show of strength and bravery. We can see him as the ideal Kshatriya.
Krishna: the ideal Brother
Krishna can be called an ideal brother, which can be seen in his relationship with Draupadi. Draupadi regarded Krishna as her elder brother and Lord Krishna had promised to protect her. At the time when her husbands failed her at the site of unfortunate gamble, it was only Krishna who came and saved her modesty and honor. Not only this, but Krishna guided the Pandavas in their righteous war and never failed them. Krishna can be seen as an ideal brother by all Hindu women…
Parshuram: the ideal Son
Bhagwan Parshuram, an Avatar of Vishnu, is also considered ideal son in his life. Once his father, sage Jamadagni, became very angry at his wife Renuka (Parshuram’s mother) because of suspected breach of marital trust. In his rage, he asked Parshuram to slay his wife, Parshuram's mother. In obedience and devotion to his father, Parshuram did this deed. However, when his father offered him a reward for his obedience, he requested his mother be given back her life. So he got his mother alive again. From this story comes the recognition of this avatar with parental devotion. Seldom in our figures we find such an example of "equal" devotion towards both parents. So Parshuram is an ideal son.
Arjuna: the ideal Disciple
I think Arjuna was an ideal student. It was because he didn’t believe whatever his Guru said with a blind attitude, but he kept questioning and reasoning. His attitude towards learning was that of one perfect learner and student. And he never showed any disrespect towards his teacher – Krishna. Arjuna can be seen as a perfect disciple or student.
Pandavs: the ideal Brothers
We can take the five Pandavs as the ideal brothers. The story of Mahabharatha is full of incidents when one brother made a sacrifice for others and even risked his life. All younger brothers loved and revered their eldest brother Yudhisthir – while Yudhisthir fulfilled the role of elder brother as a father. We never find such love and bonding among real brothers, as we see it between the five Pandavs.
Sage Rishabha: the ideal father
Lord Risabha is considered an ideal father in Hinduism. He is even considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. I read from the Wiki article on him: “In Hinduism, Lord Risabha is regarded to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He appeared in the womb of Marudevi, the wife of King Nabhi. The King underwent many severe austerities and penance to please Lord Visnu to get a son like Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu accepted his plea and thus appeared as Lord Rsabha - son of King Nabhi and Merudevi. Jains accept Lord Rsabha as Rishabha, as the first Tirthankar. Hindus regard their practices are atheistic and contradictory to the teachings of Lord Rsabha in the Bhagavata Purana. (Ref: Srimad Bhagvatam: Canto 5, Chapter 6, Verse 9) Rishabha Rishi is also mentioned in the Markandeya, Vayu, Brahmanda, Skanda, and Vishnu Puranas. He followed the orders of His guru and accepted a wife named Jayanti. He begot a hundred sons in the womb of Jayanti. Of these hundred sons, the eldest was known as Bharat. Since the reign of Maharaja Bharata, the Indian sub-continent has been called Bharata-varsa. Rsabhadeva's other sons were headed by Kusavarta, Ilavarta, Brahmavarta, Malaya, Ketu, Bhadrasena, Indrasprk, Vidarbha and Kikata. There were also other sons named Kavi, Havi, Antariksa, Prabuddha, Pippalayana, Avirhotra, Drumila, Camasa and Karabhajana. Instead of ruling the kingdom, these nine became mendicant preachers, following the religious precepts of the Bhagavata Purana. Their characteristics and activities are described in the Eleventh Canto of the Bhagavata Purana during the talks between Vasudeva and Narada at Kuruksetra. To teach the general populace, King Rsabhadeva performed many sacrifices and taught His sons how to rule the citizens. (Ref: Bhagvata Purana. Canto 5, Chapter 4 Summary) Thus Lord Rsabha was an ideal father, who gave ept instructions to his sons. The instructions of Lord Rsabha to his sons are present in Canto 5, Chapter 5 of the Bhagavata Purana.
Rishi Dadhichi: the Ideal Brahmin
Ram: Ideal Husband
In my opinion, Ram was the ideal husband. The reasons are many; main one is that Ram and Sita, even after being God and Goddess themselves, chose to sacrifice their togetherness - this was the biggest test which they passed. Ram deserted Sita in order to carry out his Raj Dharma - this was the ultimate sacrifice which he made, being a loyal "husband" - without any ill feeling towards Sita. His trust in Sita was beyond any comparison. Another very strong point was that Ram never married again even after leaving Sita. Without Sita, he didn't sleep on the bed and always remembered her. When he did yagya after Sita was not there, he kept her idol at his side. He installed Sita's son as the next king after him. Before that, in order to take back Sita, Ram went on and destroyed Ravana and his kingdom of Lanka - risking his and his follower's life. Because Ram and Sita passed the biggest test - of sacrificing association for the wellbeing of this world - Ram and Sita are the ideal couple in this world.
Lakshman: Ideal younger Brother
Lakshman, the younger to Ram is also considered ideal brother. He went along with Ram to the forest as vanvaas. As soon as he heard about Ram’s vanvaas, he resolved to go along with Ram even when he had no business there. And there, he passed the biggest test – he even chose to stay away from his parents, his wife, his state, just to be with his elder brother Ram and to service him… He even risked his life in the war with Ravana. Lakshman represents the ideal younger brother…
Ram: Ideal Son
Ram played the role of ideal son in his life. Just to fulfil the wish of his father, he went to jungle for 14 months. And his father’s wish was not his own, his father’s wish was actually the wish of one of Ram’s step mothers. But Ram loved his father so much, that he took up all troubles in order to fulfil the wish of all those whom his father respected – Ram treated all his (step) mothers as his real mother… Ram represents the ideal son…
Hanuman: the ideal devotee
Hanuman ji is considered the ideal devotee. So much was his love and bhakti for Ram, which can be cited with so many events and examples throughout the stories of Ramayana that I think there has been no other devotee like Hanuman ji so far in the entire world… His bhakti took such a form that he considered himself a sevak – a servant – of Ram. And he served all his life in the bhakti of Ram, serving him as a servant. His this form of Swami-Bhakti is still practiced and taken inspiration from, by many Hindus…
Sati or Parvati: the ideal wife
Sati, wife of Shiva is considered the ideal wife. At the mere sight of insult to her husband, she chose to die in order to take another incarnation to get Shiva back. She did lots of Tap in order to get Lord Shiva as her husband. And all this despite the fact that she was Shakti – the power of God – herself. But she never showed-off her powers in pride and remained attached to her husband for whole life. Shiva in returned, loved her more than anyone else, despite always being in renunciation…. Parvati, Shiva and their sons – Ganesha and Karthik – are considered symbol of a happy family by all Hindus…
Sita: the ideal wife
Sita, wife of Lord Ram, is considered the ideal wife by all Hindus. She is worshipped as a Goddess too. She and Ram were made for each other, and they enjoyed period of togetherness. She also did sacrifice when she decided to remain with Ram when Ram was sent to the forest for 14 years: meaning her life without her husband was incomplete. When Ram had to leave her, she showed some real strength of character and gave birth to and raised her children in the best manner possible. Later on, according to legend when she saw Ram again and when Ram was in a dilemma to accept her back or not: she chose to leave this mortal world and free Ram from all dilemmas: showing the superiority of the feminine… Sita is worshipped as the ideal wife…
Parshuram: the ideal Kshatriya
Sage Parshuram is can be seen as ideal Kshatriya (warrior) by all Hindus. The legend says at one time, the kings and kshatriyas of the time had become too oppressive and had deviated from the path of dharma. Then one day while Jamadagni, Parshuram's father, was sitting near his house deep in meditation, the king Kartavirya Sahasrarjuna arrived there seeking hospitality. But as Jamadagni was deep in meditation, he did not offer the king the customary salutations. Greatly angered, the king killed the sage. When Parshuram returned he deduced what had happened and was so enraged that he not only slayed the king but all the despots of the world. In the end, tired and weary of war, he began a long penance on the western coast of India on a tract of land (now known as Kerala) reclaimed from the sea. Later, he left for Kamarupa (now called Assam) where he changed the course of the river Brahamputra, turning it towards India. All his work were selflessly done with great show of strength and bravery. We can see him as the ideal Kshatriya.
Krishna: the ideal Brother
Krishna can be called an ideal brother, which can be seen in his relationship with Draupadi. Draupadi regarded Krishna as her elder brother and Lord Krishna had promised to protect her. At the time when her husbands failed her at the site of unfortunate gamble, it was only Krishna who came and saved her modesty and honor. Not only this, but Krishna guided the Pandavas in their righteous war and never failed them. Krishna can be seen as an ideal brother by all Hindu women…
Parshuram: the ideal Son
Bhagwan Parshuram, an Avatar of Vishnu, is also considered ideal son in his life. Once his father, sage Jamadagni, became very angry at his wife Renuka (Parshuram’s mother) because of suspected breach of marital trust. In his rage, he asked Parshuram to slay his wife, Parshuram's mother. In obedience and devotion to his father, Parshuram did this deed. However, when his father offered him a reward for his obedience, he requested his mother be given back her life. So he got his mother alive again. From this story comes the recognition of this avatar with parental devotion. Seldom in our figures we find such an example of "equal" devotion towards both parents. So Parshuram is an ideal son.
Arjuna: the ideal Disciple
I think Arjuna was an ideal student. It was because he didn’t believe whatever his Guru said with a blind attitude, but he kept questioning and reasoning. His attitude towards learning was that of one perfect learner and student. And he never showed any disrespect towards his teacher – Krishna. Arjuna can be seen as a perfect disciple or student.
Pandavs: the ideal Brothers
We can take the five Pandavs as the ideal brothers. The story of Mahabharatha is full of incidents when one brother made a sacrifice for others and even risked his life. All younger brothers loved and revered their eldest brother Yudhisthir – while Yudhisthir fulfilled the role of elder brother as a father. We never find such love and bonding among real brothers, as we see it between the five Pandavs.
Sage Rishabha: the ideal father
Lord Risabha is considered an ideal father in Hinduism. He is even considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. I read from the Wiki article on him: “In Hinduism, Lord Risabha is regarded to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He appeared in the womb of Marudevi, the wife of King Nabhi. The King underwent many severe austerities and penance to please Lord Visnu to get a son like Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu accepted his plea and thus appeared as Lord Rsabha - son of King Nabhi and Merudevi. Jains accept Lord Rsabha as Rishabha, as the first Tirthankar. Hindus regard their practices are atheistic and contradictory to the teachings of Lord Rsabha in the Bhagavata Purana. (Ref: Srimad Bhagvatam: Canto 5, Chapter 6, Verse 9) Rishabha Rishi is also mentioned in the Markandeya, Vayu, Brahmanda, Skanda, and Vishnu Puranas. He followed the orders of His guru and accepted a wife named Jayanti. He begot a hundred sons in the womb of Jayanti. Of these hundred sons, the eldest was known as Bharat. Since the reign of Maharaja Bharata, the Indian sub-continent has been called Bharata-varsa. Rsabhadeva's other sons were headed by Kusavarta, Ilavarta, Brahmavarta, Malaya, Ketu, Bhadrasena, Indrasprk, Vidarbha and Kikata. There were also other sons named Kavi, Havi, Antariksa, Prabuddha, Pippalayana, Avirhotra, Drumila, Camasa and Karabhajana. Instead of ruling the kingdom, these nine became mendicant preachers, following the religious precepts of the Bhagavata Purana. Their characteristics and activities are described in the Eleventh Canto of the Bhagavata Purana during the talks between Vasudeva and Narada at Kuruksetra. To teach the general populace, King Rsabhadeva performed many sacrifices and taught His sons how to rule the citizens. (Ref: Bhagvata Purana. Canto 5, Chapter 4 Summary) Thus Lord Rsabha was an ideal father, who gave ept instructions to his sons. The instructions of Lord Rsabha to his sons are present in Canto 5, Chapter 5 of the Bhagavata Purana.
Rishi Dadhichi: the Ideal Brahmin
I think Rishi Dadhichi can be considered as the ideal Brahmin. He performed the biggest sacrifice – he donated his own bones to make a weapon for the gods to destroy the demons. A Brahmin always spreads light and positivism in this world and shows others the right path, while himself being on the difficult path of sacrifice and tap. Dadhichi, with having achieved epitome of sacrifice, can be considered the ideal Brahmin.
Comments
Post a Comment