Ramayana, the epic story depicting the life of Rama, prince of Ayodhya is a sacred religious text in Hindu culture. Although there are many versions of Ramayana, the original and the oldest one was written by Valmiki. The protagonist of the story, Rama leads a virtuous life and his wife, Sita stands beside him in each ordeal that Rama is put through in his life.
The story begins with the birth of Rama and follows his life until his death. Love, one of the main themes of the story, is expressed through the relation of Rama and Sita. Their love is truthful and in accordance to Dharma.Ravana also loves Sita but his love is immoral and disregards the rules of Dharma.
Role of Love Rama and Sita love each other intensely but their love is not portrayed as romantic love. Their love for each other is defined by their duties towards each other. Sita, as a loving wife provides succor and support to Rama in each moment of their married life. When Rama is exiled from his kingdom, he prepares to leave the kingdom and spent the next fourteen years of his life in forest. Rama desires to embark on his journey alone but Sita insists on coming along.
Her love and care for Rama is so intense that she is ready to give her royal life and lead a life full of hardships with Rama. “Happier than in father’s mansions in the woods will Sita rove, Waste no thought on home or kindred, nestling in her husband’s love! ” (Valmiki & Dutt 34). For her, living with Rama is most important than the luxurious life. As a dutiful wife, she wishes to share the sorrows and hardships of her husband. Sita chooses a life of adversity over that of luxury and comfort, for it is a duty of wife to share the burdens of the husband.Sita is presented as a loving and caring wife in the story; her life stands out as an example to be followed by married women.
The depth of love that Sita feels for Rama shapes her life. The love of Sita for her husband is visible in her actions when she places the comfort of her husband above her own needs. “If the righteous son of Raghu went to forest dark and drear, Sita steps before her husband wild and thorny paths to clear. ” (Valmiki & Dutt 34).
The role of love in the story is to teach the principles of Dharma to young people.The duties of a loving wife are presented through the character of Sita. How should a wife behave? What are duties of a wife towards her husband? How can a loving wife support her husband during his adversities? All these questions are answered by the actions of Sita. The same feeling of love is expressed by Ravana.
But Ravana’s love for Sita is depraved. He wants to force his love upon Sita. He wishes to marry her but he overlooks the fact that Sita is already married and being a pious wife, she will never consent to Ravana’s wish. Ravana is a demon who disrespects the principles of Dharma.He is so consumed by his power and pride that he thinks that he can overpower any woman. But Sita’s love for her husband is so strong that Ravana is unable to change her mind.
Every attempt of Ravana to lure Sita is futile, as she never yields to the wishes of Ravana. Ravana is powerful but his power fails to impress Sita. Ravana abducts Sita and separates her from her beloved husband. Ravana places Sita under confinement, Sita is greatly distressed by Ravana’s act.
But Ravana is not moved by the pain of Sita. He is concerned about the fulfillment of own wishes.Love which brings joy and happiness in one’s life can cause suffering, if it is influenced by the arrogance of one person. The arrogant person fails to respect the feelings of the person whom he claims to love. Ravana is also claims to love Sita but his action defy his claims.
Dharma Ramayana, the story of Rama, teaches the principle of Dharma through the characters of Rama and Sita. “Dharma states that each human has a divine or righteous path before them, and their job in life is to satisfy dharma. Those who betray it, as Ravana does in the Ramayana by separating Sita and Rama, are doomed to death and punishment. (What is The Ramayana? ) Love is bound by the principles of Dharma, the role of love in the relationship of wife and husband are influenced by these principles. Sita follows the Dharma of a wife and never falters from her path. On the other hand Ravana’s love is against the principles of Dharma.
Ravana is erroneous in his actions; first he kidnaps Sita and then tries to force her to marry him. Ravana falls for Sita, knowing that she is married to Rama. Dharma teaches one to respect woman and regard the wife of other person as his sister.But Ravana flouts the teachings of Dharma and behaves according to his will. Dharma never approves the love of Ravana, for it is based on selfish and immoral motives.
Love relates to Dharma in Ramayana and this relation is evident through the ideals of Rama and Sita. Love which follows the righteous path of Dharma is accepted by the society. In a relation of love, both the individuals should respect each other and share one another’s sorrows. The role of love expressed in Ramayana, is to teach the principles of Dharma and define the duties of wife and husband towards each other.
