Most of us know what constitutes the way of righteous living but we lack the courage to make the necessary sacrifices to actually live it, hence our conflict in live. In the days of the Rishis the life of dharma was taught in the Gurukula system where the student lived some ten or twelve years with the teacher. Today this is no longer practical and we resort mainly to books for our inspiration and guidance.

               The great epic Ramayana shows us through the courage examples of its hero Shri Rama how values can be practiced in everyday life. If there is one book that has exercised the maximum influence in moulding the character of the Hindus, it is undoubtedly the Ramayana alone.

 In fact ,the in-depth study of the Ramayana gives us the complete understanding of the Hindu Vedic culture.It is said that when Brahman, the supreme Reality, which is revealed by the Vedas, incarnated in this world as Shri Rama, the Vedas appeared in the form of the Ramayana through the sage Valmiki .This clearly establishes the status of the Ramayana as a spiriture. It is not a mere imaginary story of an ordinary person in history, or else it would not have Enjoyed such a high place of reverence in the hearts of millions. The Ramayana is at par with the Vedas.

        The two main subjects dealt with in the Vedas are dharma-the righteous way of living and Brahman- the supreme Reality of the Universe. While the Vedas teach us dharma through injuctions such as speaking the truth ,respecting one’s parents and teachers as living Gods, and so on, the Ramayana gives us the actual demonstration of dharma in the form of the ideal life lived by Shri Rama. Indeed he was the personification of dharma.      

        While living in the world, very often we come across many conflicts regarding performance of duties and maintaining various relationships with other human being. Shri Rama shows us the way and teaches that dharma alone should be the criteria in deciding upon any course of action. Dharma alone is above all human relations. Such an uncompromising life dharma lived by an individual gives purity of mind leading to the realization of one’s true self as being identical with Brahaman.

Thus the individual fulfils the very purpose of existence. Dharma lived by the society at large integrates the society leading it to prosperity. Thus we see that while dharma is the means, Brahman is the goal. Shri Rama lived a life of dharma and he himself is the pure Absolute Brahman,the Supreme Lord of the Universe. The greatest dharma of all jivas (individual) is to serve Him in thought, Word, and deed.

Inspired by Lord Shiva, Goswami Tulasidasa undertook the composition of the Ramayana and on its completion received the Lord’s blessing that his work will, in efficacy, be like the Sama Veda. We can see the truth of this wherever Tulasi Ramayana is read and studied. People have obtained material wealth and solace in the periods of trial in their lives through the Tulsi Ramayana .However the main purpose of its study is twofold-to develop dispassion for the world of objects and devotion for the Lotus feet of Lord Shri Rama.

 Goswami Tulsidasa gives the spiritual symbolism of the story as well.Shri Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana represent Self knowledge, devotion and dispassion respectively, whereas Ravana is the personification of delusion with all its symptoms such as ego, selfishness, anger, and so on. Knowledge alone destroys ignorance and bestows peace and bliss upon the spiritual seeker.

The path of spiritual sadhna has been beautifully pointed out by Tulasidasa As follows:

“The Vedas declare that self-control and discipline are the flowers, Knowledge

Is the fruit and its sweet juice is the devotion for the Lotus Feet of the world

May all, through the study of the Tulasi Ramayana, gain this nectar of devotion?

For the Lord.