Importance of Ramayana in our daily life !

 

In India, the way for transfer of wisdom from generation to generation, has been through stories. Thanks to the sages and rishis of the past, wisdom has been transferred through stories, illuminating all those, who have been wise enough to heed the lessons.  These stories, have been aimed at teaching man lessons for rightful conduct in one’s day to day life, so as to achieve whatever he may desire, whilst living in harmony with the world around.

Story telling has been proven to be an effective way to impart wisdom, that sticks. Storytelling helps with learning because stories are easy to remember. Organizational psychologist Peg Neuhauser found that learning which stems from a well-told story is remembered more accurately, and for far longer, than learning derived from facts and figures. Similarly, psychologist Jerome Bruner’s research suggest that facts are 20 times more likely to be remembered if they’re part of a story.

One of the Indian epics is, Ramayana. According to Ramayana, on the day of Vijay Dashmi, the epitome of virtuosity, Lord Ram, who was an avatar of Lord Vishnu, killed the vicious King Ravana. An interesting story of the triumph in itself, we tend to overlook the rich lessons we can learn from this Indian epic.

One of the beautiful and eye opening narratives is found in Aranaya Kanda, where Shabri appears.

 

Aranya Kanda & Shabri

 

Shabri was born in a warrior clan in ancient India. In her family, hunting of animals for food, was normal. However, Shabri being tender by heart, despised violence. The harm done to other beings by her family, disgusted her, and so she fled away into the forests. In the forests, she found Rishi Matanga, who accepted her as his disciple.

While Shabri was an ardent devotee of Ram, she also served her master, sincerely. Impressed by her years of self less service, before leaving his body, Rishi Matanga, prophesied that one day, Shabri will be able to see her beloved, Ram.

Shabri, like any human being, had self doubts. She wondered ,” Why will  Ram, who belongs to a royal family, visit my small hut. I am illiterate, poor.”

However, despite self-doubts, she meticulously prepared each day, to receive her beloved as guest. Never, losing zeal, she decorated the pathway to her hut, with fresh flowers. Anticipating that Ram may need food when he arrives, she plucked berries everyday and tasted them, so as to choose only the sweetest of them, for her lord.

Days turned into months, months into years and years into decades, yet she saw no signs of arrival of Ram. Now, an old woman, Shabri didn’t let age, dampen her spirit. Needing a cane to walk, she prepared for her anticipated guest, with the same love, as she had when starting. Cleaning her hut, decorating it with flowers and collecting delicious berries, everyday. And voila ! Finally Lord Ram did arrive( If you want to read this passage in greater detail, click here :Shabri in Ramayana).

Out of the numerous learned men waiting to host him as a guest, Ram chose to be the guest of an illiterate, destitute Shabri.

Now what can we learn from this anecdote, to help us achieve success in life?

 

1) One needs to have a clear goal :

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”

― Albert Einstein

 

Shabri had a goal in mind, to meet her beloved Lord Ram. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s goal was,” to be the greatest bodybuilder of all time”. Having a grand goal, helps us navigate through the trials of life. Our subconscious mind is like a navigation system, till the time we know our goal, no matter what path we may face, we will eventually reach our destination.

However, one needs to be clear about the things one truly cares about, before choosing a goal. Often we may crave for a particular job. However, after some time, we start hating it. Phrases like “Thank God It’s Friday!”, are so popular in our culture. Why do we stop valuing things, which we once craved for ? Shabri has the answer once again !

Shabri, though an illiterate woman, was wise enough to know what she truly cared for in life and so worked towards that goal, with zeal each day.

 

2) Once you have chosen a goal, don’t wait for inspiration :

 

One of my favourite writers, Somerset Maugham once said, “I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.”

Pop culture has made us believe that all great scientists, social reformers, artists were struck by an act of inspiration. However, that’s contrary to what success in real life is about.

Shabri prepared her hut every day with the same meticulousness. She was aware that opportunity could arrive at her doorstep, anytime.

Similarly, in life, we shouldn’t wait for inspiration. We should diligently work towards sharpening our tools daily, so that we may be fully prepared for the opportunity, when it comes our way.

 

3) Never let temporary failure, dampen your spirit :

 

Shabri faced rejection and uncertainity each day for years on end, till the moment she finally tasted success. She didn’t let the numerous rejections, perturb her tenderness. The years of failure strengthened her resolve, her longing to meet Lord Ram.  And when she finally achieved her goal, she wept and danced with joy !

Shabri was an epitome of dedication, discipline and perseverance towards her goal. In pursuit of our goals, may we all get inspired by her life and never let the enthusiasm in us die. Jai Shri Ram !

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