Great Works at 10.20am Spring 2015

Authority takes form in many different ways, some of which can be very specific and hard to follow. One authority that falls into that category is Dharma. The story Ramayana by Valmiki, is written to teach about Dharma through the pit falls of the main characters. Dharma is described as specific rules that everyone must follow. The main character Rama, has the ability to specify certain rules such as the one where a father’s command must be followed, “the commands of a guru, the king, and one’s aged father, whether uttered in anger, cheerfully, or out of lust, should be obeyed by one who is not of despicable behavior”(p.1179). This clearly shows how specific rules can be, this rule in particular states that no matter in what state a person is, the command must be obeyed. Dharma is also a way of life, it is a path, as written in the book. This path is the devotion to truth, because it is the one and only truth in the universe as stated by Rama, “the universe rests on truth, and I am devoted to truth”(p.1179). This is why even though Kaikeyi was the one to tell Rama to vanish the city, he still obeyed. Rama trusted that Kaikeyi was also following Dharma and telling the truth. Dharma is the ultimate authority, where the pursuit of prosperity and pleasure come after. Dharma is also a hierarchy, where it is at the top of the chain and followed by gurus, kings, and then fathers . Dharma is demanding; it must be done, no matter if it’s just or not. It is to be acted upon and not based on reactions or feelings, “abandon your resolve based on the principle of might; resort to Dharma”(p.1179). Dharma is purely obeying the authorities and resorting to truth.

It can be argued that Dharma is not the ultimate authority in the book because we see all of the characters drifting form them. There are many occasion where the main character Rama falls short in his Dharma. Also Ravana himself because, he went against his Dharma in not harming Sita. Thus giving an idea that everyone has an authority to themselves. However, even though these characters fall out of their Dharma, they still come back to their respective paths. Dharma is an authority figure because it encompasses everyone, it is not like other religions where peoples’beliefs set them aside from it. There is Dharma not only for the good, but also the bad. It has a set of rules for all kinds of roles as well. That of Sita is the Dharma of a wife, where she mustn’t leave her husband’s side. That of Rama is the Dharma of a son, where he follows and obeys the commands of his father. Ravana has his own Dharma too, where it is just to be evil.

Dharma as mentioned, is the demand of obeying rules and hierarchies, as well as a devotion to truth. It is in all ways the main authority in the book because, the book itself is written to teach about Dharma. This kind of authority is a legitimate authority where it specifies everyone’s duties, functions, and responsibilities.

Jenny Redrovan