Dharma as an Authority
Authority can be defined as someone or something that has the power to define or control people or situations within a specific environment. An authoritative figure can be portrayed as a demanding figure in some ways or it can be just someone or something that a person looks up to with respect.
The story Ramayana which was written by Valmiki follows the path of Rama’s life when he was exiled to when his throne was rightfully returned to him and he became king. The path of Rama’s life is set forth by his Dharma. In Hinduism, Dharma is one’s way of life or a set of “rules and obligations” that one has to follow throughout his life. Even though Dharma is not a physical being it is still considered an authority over those in the Hindu religion. Dharma is a devotion to truth. It defines what it is you are supposed to do; it is not a specific definition of what is good versus what is bad. Each person has his or her own Dharma that they have to follow.
According to the Dharma one should follow the guru, the king and his father respectively in that order. This is why when Rama obeyed his father without question when his father made it known that he would have his son exiled instead of receiving the throne as king. One of Rama’s father’s wives said to Rama “If you wish to establish that both you and your father are both devoted to truth, let Bharata be crowned … and go away to the forest for fourteen years” (1177). Even though Rama’s father did not utter these words out of his own mouth, and there was no explanation as to why his father actually agreed to have him exiled Rama obeyed his wishes completely and does as his father wished.
The obligation that Dharma has over people is constantly shown also with his wife Sita. A wife’s Dharma dictates that a wife should always stand by her husband. The most important part this is shown in the story is when Rama goes home to her to tell her about his father’s wishes. Rama tried to persuade Sita to stay back and live her life as much as she could and to this she replied “Serving you, I shall not incur the sin of leaving your parents: thus I have heard from those who are well versed in the Vedas and other scriptures that a devoted wife remains united with her husband even after they leave this earth-plane” (1182). Sita is very devoted to her husband and her love for him makes her better able to follow her Dharma that she should always serve her husband.
One could say that Dharma is a demanding type of authority. It is set to be followed and should always be followed no matter the circumstances. . But if one follow his Dharma completely it could lead him to prosperity and happiness throughout his lifetime. During the story of Ramayana, Rama actually is thought to be strayed away from his Dharma and does the opposite of what it is that he is supposed to do. However, one could argue that if Dharma is to be completely followed then maybe when Rama is thought to have strayed he is actually following his own personal Dharma which leads him to defeat the demon Ravana and is given back his throne when he returned home.
Shauna Fearon
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