Lets learn the life lessons from the great epic of Hinduism- Ram Charitmanas.
NAMASTE!
Welcome to the oasis of engrossed readings at www.onindianpath.com. Let’s rejoice the meaningful and learned teachings form great epic – Ram Charitmanas.
Introduction to Ram Charitmanas
Hinduism is a profound journey to explore life, its meaning, and the path toward salvation. To guide us, we have two great epics: the Ramayana( Ram Charitmanas) and the Mahabharata. The former teaches us virtues, wisdom, and life lessons from the life of Maryada Purushottam, Lord Shri Ram. Meanwhile, the latter offers life lessons through the Bhagavad Gita, a spiritual and insightful dialogue between Lord Shri Krishna and Arjuna.
What is Ramcharit Manas?
Ram Charitmanas is an epic poem in the Awadhi language, composed by the 16th-century Indian bhakti poet Tulsidas. This work is also known as the Tulsi Ramayana, Tulsikrit Ramayana, or Tulsidas Ramayana. The term Ram Charitmanas translates to “Lake of the Deeds of Rama.” It is considered one of the greatest works of Hindu literature. Additionally, Ram Charitmanas has been acclaimed as “the living sum of Indian culture and the best and most trustworthy guide to the popular living faith of the Indian people.”
Lessons of Ram Charitmanas
a) Not every heart is ready to listen or change.
सठ सन बिनय कुटिल सन प्रीति | सहज कृपन सन सुंदर नीति ||१||ममता रत सन ज्ञान कहानी | अति लोभी सन बिरती बखानी ||क्रोधिहि सम कामिहि हरिकथा | उसर बिज बए फल जथा ||२||
Ever tried advising a fool? Or showing love to someone wicked? It’s like encouraging a miser to be generous or offering wisdom to someone blinded by love. Talking about detachment to the greedy or peace to the angry is just as futile. Even sharing stories of God with someone consumed by lust—none of it works. Furthermore, it’s like planting seeds on a thorny bush. Nothing grows.The moral? Know where to invest your energy. Not every heart is ready to listen or change.
b) Sometimes, patience and humility aren’t enough
काटेही पई कदरी फरइ कोटि जतन कोऊ सींच |बिनय न मान खगेस सुनु डाटेही पई नव नीच ||
No matter how much you water a banana tree, it only bears fruit when it’s cut. Similarly, a mean person doesn’t respond to kindness; they only change when scolded.Take the example of Shri Ram. He and the monkey army waited for three days by the seashore, hoping the sea would make way to Lanka. Despite Shri Ram’s humble prayers, the sea remained unmoved. It wasn’t until Shri Ram grew angry and spoke to Lakshman that things began to change.
बिनय न मानत जलधि जड़ गए तीनि दिन बीति।बोले राम सकोप तब भय बिनु होइ न प्रीति॥
Three days passed, but the sea didn’t listen to Shri Ram’s request. Frustrated, Shri Ram told Lakshman, ‘There is no love without fear,’ meaning people often don’t act unless they fear the consequences.The moral? Sometimes kindness isn’t enough. A little firmness is needed to get things done.
c) Not everyone responds to kindness or reason.
लछिमन बान सरासन आनू। सोषौं बारिधि बिसिख कृसानू।।सठ सन बिनय कुटिल सन प्रीती। सहज कृपन सन सुंदर नीती।
Shri Ram, frustrated with the sea, said to Lakshman, “O Lakshman, bring my bow and arrow. I will dry the sea with my fire arrows.” You cannot reason with a fool. They never understand prayers or requests because their minds are dull. Only fear makes them act.
He also advised, “Do not speak lovingly to someone with a crooked nature. Such people are dishonest and untrustworthy. They cause trouble for others to fulfill their selfish desires. Love and kindness will be wasted on them.
Lastly, he said, “Do not discuss generosity with a miser. Misers, who are greedy by nature, will never part with their wealth. Talking about donations or helping others with them is a waste of time.”
And in modern times, this teaching holds great significance. Not everyone responds to kindness for reason. Sometimes, firmness is the only way to deal with stubborn, selfish, or dishonest people.
d) Choose Your Conversations Wisely
ममता रत सन ग्यान कहानी। अति लोभी सन बिरति बखानी।।क्रोधिहि सम कामिहि हरिकथा। ऊसर बीज बएँ फल जथा।।
Similarly, trying to talk about detachment with a greedy person is also pointless. Infact, greedy individuals fixate solely on money, making it impossible for them to embrace a life of asceticism. Their thoughts revolve around wealth, leaving no room for higher ideals or virtues. Additionally, when faced with attachment or greed, it’s best to refrain from discussions about detachment or knowledge. They simply won’t understand or appreciate the deeper messages.
Talking about peace with an angry person is often useless. In the heat of anger, individuals lose their meaningful conversation is impossible. Anger clouds their judgment, preventing them from distinguishing between good and bad.
Similarly, discussing God with someone consumed by lust is pointless. A lustful person is fixated solely on their desires, losing sight of healthy boundaries in relationships and age. Engaging in spiritual discussions with such individuals yields no results.
However, Shri Ram teaches us that attempting to converse about important matters with those who are unreceptive is a waste of effort. Just as seeds fail to grow in barren land, discussions with the wrong people often lead to no fruitful outcomes. It’s essential to recognize when it’s best to hold back and choose our conversations wisely.
Thus, Ram Charitmanas teaches us to live life with happiness and contentment. As the guidance given by Shri Ram, we risk wasting our time and facing unnecessary mental stress. Being mindful of whom we engage with can save us from frustration. Not only this, it also help us focus our energy on more productive conversations.
e) True peace comes from letting go willingly
अवश्यं यातारश्चिरतरमुषित्वापि विषया,वियोगे को भे दस्त्यजति न जनो यत्स्वयममून्। व्रजन्त: स्वातंत्र्यादतुलपरितापाय मनस:स्वयं त्यक्ता ह्ये शमसुखमनन्तं विदधति ।।
Apparently, worldly things will slip away from us one day. This is something we all know deep down. Whether we let go or they leave us, the result is the same. But I’ve learned that choosing to let go on my own brings a sense of freedom. True happiness and peace come from making that choice ourselves.
f) Live righteously, and blessings will follow naturally
जिमि सरिता सागर महँ जाहीं lजद्यपि ताहि कामना नाहीं llतिमि सुख सम्पति बिनहिं बुलाये lधर्मशील पहँ जाइ सुहाये ll
Just like a river moves through tough and rocky areas but still reaches the sea without wanting anything. Same ways, it happens to a person who follows the path of Dharma (righteousness). Happiness, wealth, and success come naturally to them, even if they don’t try to get them. Indeed, these blessings are eager to stay with someone who lives a righteous life.
g) Embrace the Truth
सत्य वचन में प्रीति करले,सत्य वचन प्रभु वास।सत्य के साथ प्रभु चलते हैं, सत्य चले प्रभु साथ।।
When you love the truth, you invite God into your life. In fact, God always stands by those who uphold the truth. Moreover, as you walk with the truth, God walks alongside you, every step of the way.
Although, truth is addicted to divine vision.Just as sunlight doesn’t reflect on a dirty mirror, God’s light cannot shine on an impure conscience. As a result, evil thoughts take control. Consequently, such a person cannot receive “divya drishti” or divine vision. Therefore, they miss out on many divine powers and treasures.
Conclusion
At the end, all my avid readers, always remember: “You are pure consciousness, a soul glowing with its own divine light!” Over time, Maya (ignorance) may have dimmed that light, hiding your true essence. But it’s within your power to break free from those illusions and reconnect with your pure self. Moreover, we have much more to discuss from Ram Charitmanas, we will continue the series further in future.
Personally, I’ve found that letting go of Maya’s grip brings a deep sense of peace and clarity. When we embrace our true nature, we step into our own light and discover the strength and serenity that were always within us.
Stay connected with us and continue growing alongside us.
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