Twinn Swan

The noblest emotions and aspirations that reside and stir within a human being are expressed by the perfect being that is Lord Rama. Every significant character in Valmiki’s Ramayana performs their respective functions to the same ideal of perfection.

At crucial and important moments, however, that quest for perfection is compromised. This in no way diminishes the status of the individual’s quest for perfection, but rather, it shows how we fit into the larger world that we inhabit.

Lord Rama–the perfect one, the perfect man—has to play the game of life in a world full of human imperfections. With perfection as the ideal, each significant character conducts themselves in a way as to establish their long-term values.

In the Hindu tradition, it is none other than one’s Guru teacher that imparts the long-term values that one must not only hold dear, but also uphold.

For Lord Rama, that Guru is the Sage Vasistha.

At the tender teenage age of sixteen, Rama was tired of palace life. He sought the permission of his father to go around his kingdom. After returning to the palace from his explorations, Rama becomes unhappy and disinterested in the affairs of the state.

For an adolescent youth, such a state of mind is not only natural, but even expected. The concerned parent and father Dasharatha sends his son Rama to his Guru Vasistha to get over what could have been either depression or teenage angst.

Rama dutifully describes to Vasistha what he is both experiencing as well as going through.

Vasistha, in turn, provides wisdom to Rama. He does this not only to answer the questions that were raised by Rama but also to provide him with a long-lasting solution. The Sage teaches Rama how he can get over the perplexities of life that continually cause suffering.

The collected discourses that take place between Rama and Vasistha form part of a great treatise known as Yoga Vasistha.

The Sage’s teachings are: one’s own efforts are the only way to end one’s misery. It is through our effort alone that we can become wise and come out of difficult situations. If a person does not make any effort to save himself, there is none that will be able to save him.

Present efforts can always rectify the errors and mistakes of the past, because the present is stronger than the past.

Lord Rama learnt his lessons well. By the end, he became Valmiki’s perfect human being.