Mahatma Ghandi's Views and Opinions of the Rama Essay

modernity came up. Both sources talked about this and both had very similar ideas. While there are many traditional aspects there are also many modern aspects in this novel. It is a battle for Rama about which side to pick or lean more towards. Rama sees this as less of a conflict and more of a privilege. She states on page 25, “It was a privilege of our generation to be the link between two periods in our history, one of domination, the other of independence. We remained young and efficient, for we were the messengers of a new design.” With being a part of a religion with such traditional values, it is hard for Rama to express freely her modern views of the world. Ramatoulaye does not allow disapproval to persuade her. She is able to remain her own person with her own

Central Idea: Mahatma Gandhi is a trailblazer for change thru nonviolent resistance, compassion for others, and mercy for his oppressors, that made a large impact on the world.

In the story of Ramayana, Lord Rama is considered the embodiment of dharma; dharma is not just a set of do and don’t or a simplistic evaluation of good and evil. Sita explains, “Three sins must be avoided if one is to live perfectly in dharma…my love [Lord Rama], dharma is, most of all, peace [by following the path of righteousness]” and further explaining, “Dharma is a subtle thing. One can be true to it only if one’s mind is entire without desire” (163-164). She explains way of right living and putting one’s mind truly to it; dharma is the eternal law of cosmic order, an enlightened way of living for humanity. Throughout the story, there are difference examples showing dharma: the right way of living. First example is when Lord Rama

Sunjata also did not have the ability to walk in the beginning of the story. In the Ramayana, culture believes Rama is portrayed as the human version of the God, Vishnu. Rama is strong in physical appearance and perfect. “His chest, his wrists and fists are

On your drive to and from work, you see a myriad of conflict. From cars honking at each other for causing traffic, to couples arguing in the car on their way out to eat, to siblings fighting for who gets to control what plays on the radio, we are surrounded by small issues which frequently lead to outbursts of violence. It is truly a wonder that in a world with so many people and so many different worldviews, we haven’t killed each other off yet. What is the root cause behind why we have somehow maintained the human race?

Mahatma Gandhi, or “the great-souled one” as called by many of his followers was a leading figure in the fight for India’s independence, but he also was an advocate for world peace, showing his devotion with many “hunger strikes” (History.com staff, 2010). One of his greatest quotes, “No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive” shows the biggest fault of cultural inequality. This displays to me that people cannot work together while refusing to accept others.

Hindus are extremely respectful and prideful people with many strong core beliefs. These beliefs have been passed down through the ages in The Ramayana. Throughout this epic poem, Rama, his family, and many others exemplify what it means to be Hindu. Rama is considered to be a perfect Hindu and follows all aspects of Hinduism flawlessly. This includes following duty, honor, responsibilities based on a person’s place in society, and most important to Rama, family. In the epic The Ramayana, family is portrayed as the most important aspect to the Hindu belief.

He was a messiah for the tortured and oppressed humanity. Ghandi is a spirit of non-violence, peace and love. One of his famous quotes “An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” This quote creates an intense consequence to show others that the path you seek will not purposely be beneficial. But instead by doing this is leads to the destruction of both. ” Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”Muscle mass cannot equal the power of a person who has steeled themselves to accomplishing a goal. The power of the will and determination to achieve whatever is necessary.His vision enlighten others due to his resourceful thoughts and techniques; being able to view a perspective of having the possibilities for change in oneself and in others, and having the power to act on those possibilities. Which allows us to developes a sense of safety and acceptance of our anger with each other that guides our emotional energies towards constructive, effective

Aroused by the massacre of Amritsar in 1919, Gandhi devoted his life to gaining India’s independence from Great Britain. As the dominant figure used his persuasive philosophy of non-violent confrontation, he inspired political activists with many persuasions throughout the world (Andrews 23). Not only was Mahatma Gandhi a great peacemaker, but also his work to achieve freedom and equality for all people was greatly acknowledged. Gandhi’s unconventional style of leadership gained him the love of a country and eventually enabled him to lead the independence movement in India.

The ideological stand point here is good vs. evil. Rama and his allies are the good battling against evil. Rama had allies who understood his cause and went in

“Dharma is knowledge prominently directed to the achievement of desired happiness here (i.e. in this life) and hereafter by means of appropriate actions”. (Khan, Benjamin. The Concept of Dharma in Valmiki) Rama and Krishna have been set as perfect exemplars of Dharma in the texts of Ramayana and Mahabharata respectively. They are considered to be the reincarnations of God Visnu, a Supreme Being, and supposedly lived their lives according to the Dharmic (or right) way of life. However, the stories of Rama and Krishna in the texts include some of their actions, which are questionable to the act of Dharma. This may lead one to question Ram and Krishna as true exemplars of Dharma.

Dharma is the duty that people must fulfill in order to achieve their life’s purpose. In the Hindu religion, it is what guides the followers’ life choices and actions. Only the utmost just decisions and choices will lead down the path of obtaining dharma. At first glance, the Indian epic, The Ramayana, is a love story about a prince who is banished to the forest and an evil creature subsequently kidnaps his wife. However, it serves a much greater purpose in the Hindu culture. The Ramayana serves as a guide to living a life of moral righteousness. Rama and Sita are role models of how men and women should interact with each other and with society. There is multiple times throughout the epic that Rama faces morally difficult decisions that he flawlessly surpasses, a feat that his human peers surely would not have had the mental strength to accomplish. Rama is the supreme example of how to live a moral life. Rama’s dharma is to destroy evil, and throughout the book the difficult choices he makes and the heroic actions her performs are what guide him in his quest to fulfill his duty. Other characters in the epic, such as Ravana, are faced with the same moral dilemmas and chose incorrectly, which ultimately lead to their demise. Rama’s profound greatness is a result of his ability to place dharma above all other humanly desires and personal interests.

The Ramayana focuses more on the need to obey and respect each other and one’s rightful duties. These dharmic beliefs focus on relationships. Lord Ram must obey his father, King Dasaratha, in his decision to take away his inheritance of the throne and must respect that decision. Although no one except for the new king, Bharata‘s, mother wanted him to leave and convinced the King that he must fulfil his oath he made to her many years ago. Rama strove to be the perfect son thus fulfilling his duty of obeying his father’s wishes. Even as Bharata begged him to take his place as ruler instead, Rama denied it on the basis that he had to obey his father and follow his every word.

The original The Ramayana is a great epic that has stood the test of time, and has been influential yet controversial throughout history. R.K Narayan’s version has been the same; his composition of stories adds another layer to the already plentiful themes, leaving the reader satisfied with his brilliant description and insight. Through Narayan’s constant comparison that parallels Rama to a perfect specimen, he is demonstrating a “Straw Man” argument. Its effect illuminates Rama’s flaws rather than his seemingly perfect composure. Narayan consciously chooses moments at Rama’s darkest hours to transform him into the relatable human figure he was meant to become.

Mahatma Gandhi is renowned all over the world for his nonviolent philosophies and impact upon civil rights. He was the primary leader of India’s move towards independence. Gandhi engineered a form of non-violent protest that would influence the world. He was born on 2nd October, 1869, in Porbandar, India. Gandhi studied law and advocated for the civil rights of Indians, and influenced many civil rights movements. Even after his death, Gandhi’s actions inspired future civil rights movements around the globe. He most notably impacted, civil rights movements in three regions of the world; South Africa, India and America.