How to Find the Authority
In every culture there are ideologies that people must follow because that is the correct thing to do. Some culture’s boys have to follow what their parents say they have to do. On the other hand, there are some cultures where boys must trail religious beliefs above their parents’ wishes. The story Ramayana of Valmiki shows a religious society in which religion is over the king and family. Through the character of Rama we see how a boy goes over every restriction or impediment in order to follow dharma, because dharma is presented as the higher authority, as God. There are different ideas in the book that show how dharma is an authority, one of them is the way Rama overcomes all the obstacles in order to follow this deity.
Primarily, it’s useful to understand that when people follow dharma they go to the forest to internal integrity. In the forest it’s easy for him to get a self-examination within himself, to be able to learn about nature, to grow and then how to be a better king. Rama went into this journey because it was the correct thing to do within his society. According to story Ramayana, Kausalya said: “If, as you say, you are devoted to dharma, then it is your duty to stay here and serve me, your mother… I do not give you permission to go to the forest”. The key here is “devoted to dharma”. This illustrate how important dharma is for Rama. That it does not matter what his mom said, he is loyal to dharma and he must follow the deity’s commitments above anyone else’s. In addition, Rama said: “Among our ancestors were renowned kings who earned fame and heaven by doing their father’s bidding, Mother, I am but following their noble examples”. This shows how big is dharma’s presence in the history of this society, where many kings have fallowed this instructions from generation to generation and they have received recognition for it. For Rama, doing what their ancestors did is what is primary.
Secondly, every son has to follow what their father says in this society. If every father, as the head of the family, follows the king and the king follows dharma, who’s the real authority? Every men must obey and do dharma’s commitments. Rama says “But I am unable to give up my resolve. Abandon your resolve based on the principles of might; resorts to dharma”. This states that there is no way Rama is going to walk away from the decision to follow dharma. That is his obligation and no one will change that. He understands that “Dharma, prosperity and pleasure are the pursuit of mankind here; and prosperity and pleasure surely follow dharma”. This illustrate how Rama is willing to complete this quest not only because society is expecting him to do it, but because he will also certainly obtain a direct benefit from dharma. This presents this god as the provider of the things man have always wanted, which make fallowing dharma very appealing.
Thirdly, when people follow dharma and after completing the journey, they find “the true in themselves” and they come back as a better person. This is important because after Rama’s brother, Bharata, made it the book quotes: “He knows what dharma is. He speaks the truth. He is modest and self-controlled and always speaks pleasantly”. After someone knows dharma “He speaks the truth” this describes what a man can accomplish after following the authority dharma. “He know what dharma is” this shows how man can be better after knowing dharma. Man can control themselves and speak properly because that is what dharma gives to those who follow what’s correct.
There are several ways to become an authority: by imposition, by tradition, by being selected, because the person is the most qualified for the position, etc. These authorities influence in their followers in numerous ways in order to accomplish a goal, a social requirement, etc. Their development can be evaluated considering how efficient and/or devote their followers are. This varies depending the situation and on how this authority is implemented, considering that a leader is an authority figure but not necessary the other way around. When a man is decided to do what he is supposed to do, there is nothing that other people can do to stop him, especially when he believes that he’s doing what his authority commands.
Anyel Rijo
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