To
whoever is reading this blog... Greetings! This is my first attempt to jump in
to the world of blogging. I have been thinking about this for more than three
years, I honestly cannot believe that I am blogging!!!! Yipeeee....OMG.
I
dedicate my first blog to Lord Ram whose stories had left me spellbound as a
child.....however thanks to a BA (hons) in Psychology, Msc in Psychology and
currently a Research scholar in Psychology has left me thinking can there
really be a Maryada Purushottam in today's world? For those who did not quite
understand the term "Maryada purushottam" aka finest specimen of
a disciplined human being. Only Lord Ram was given this title in the Indian
Scriptures.
If
I met Lord Ram (in some avatar), I have always been curious as to which
psychometric assessment tool would befit this Vishnu Avatar.....would BIG5
suffice? or the never ending 16PF?......if he is on planet earth would he have
time to answer the questionnaires given by this hapless
earthling.....or would he be too busy slaying crazy demons (there are
sooooooooooo many of them these days!)
Did
Lord Ram really deserve the title of " Maryada Purushottam?" Why in
heavens name did he leave Ayodhya just because his step mom Kaikeyi
wanted her son to become King ? What would have been his IQ and EQ score then?
Probably he would have tipped the scales of Conscientiousness on
BIG5!
The
great warrior prince groomed under the great Sage
Vishwamitra, couldn't scare Shoorpanakha away? For those who are not
familiar with this character, she was Ravana's sister and she had a huge crush
on Lord Rama....scriptures quotes that he was a handsome dude! Poor chic
proposed him and he asked her to leave.....but she did not....probably
Shoorpanaka had TYPE A personality trait! She refused to leave and started
throwing tanturms!!! Lord Rama was in a fix. Loving baby bro Laxman comes to
the rescue and chops Shoorpanaka's nose! Laxman would have definitely tipped
the trait on "Dominance" in 16PF.
Those
who are familiar with the Ramayan knows how Lord Ram when to great heights to
rescue his beloved wife Sita. But he succumbed to societal pressure and doubted
the sanctity of his pregnant wife?!! Just because she was
kidnapped he doubted the paternity of his unborn child? Poor Sita was
banished from his kingdom, but Laxman secretly escorted her to the forest, so
that she could be taken care of by Rishi Valmiki. How could a Maryada
purushottam do that?
On
seeing his twin sons Luva and Kusha, Lord Ram realises that he was wrong. He
begged for forgiveness from Sita. Scriptures quote that she went back to her
Mother Bhoomi Devi. The erstwhile King, the great Lord Ram could not bare the
pain of realising his mistake and commits suicide by jumping in to River
Sarayu....which mood disorder was he suffering from in DSMIV?
Was
Lord Rama really a Maryada Purushottam? Psychometric assessments would
answer otherwise. Or was he an extra ordinary human being who stood by
"The Truth' at all times in his life and help mankind for years to come?
Could he really be God who came on earth to teach mankind the virtues on being
"RIGHT" and "JUST" and underwent painful sacrifices in the
bargain?
As a person, Rama
personifies the characteristics of an ideal person
"purushottama" who is to be emulated. He had within him all the
desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire, and he fulfilled
all his moral obligations (maryada). Rama's purity and piety in his intentions
and actions inspires affection and devotion for him from a variety of
characters from different backgrounds. For example, he gave up his rightful
claim to the throne, and agreed to go into exile for fourteen years, to fulfill
the vow that his father had given to Kaikey. For such supreme sacrifices, and
many other qualities, Rama is considered a maryada purushottamor
the best of upholders of Dharma, a basically human but exemplary figure. Some
of his ideals are as follows:
1. At the time when it was
normal for kings to have more than one wife, Rama gave ideal of having a single
wife. 2. Rama always followed his promise at any cost. In fact, he went to
forest to make his father's promise to Kaikeyi true.
3. Excellent friend: Rama
had very touching relations with his friends irrespective of their castes.
4. Even towards his
enemies, Rama showed great nobility and virtue. When Ravana first fought with
Rama, Rama defeated him to such an extent that Ravana lost his charioteer,
horses, chariot, flag, weapons and armor. Though the situation was at his
advantage, Rama instead praised Ravana for a great fight that day, and asked
him to retire and take rest, as he must be quite tired. Ravana was greatly
embarrassed at this, but he was also gratified that Rama saved his life, and
this led him to consider for a moment whether to retreat and give Sita back!
Lord Rama is an epitome of
humanity, it might be difficult to find a human with all his qualities, but if
one carefully gaze we can find humans who work hard to help nature and mankind
in the form of teachers, doctors, lawyers, bus drivers, law enforcement
professionals, law abiding citizens, etc. Lord Rama would have left
this planet years ago but his legacy still lives on in the hearts of
humans who are truly human! They are around us but
we fail to recognize them or we take them for granted, just
like how Lord Ram was taken for granted by mankind.
Maryada Prushottam aap
kahan ho? vapus kab awoge?
