Holy books of all religions are the perennial source of joy to the mankind. They contain the noblest thought of man and finest moral value of our civilization. They are also educative and instructive. When the clouds of sorrows darken our lives, holy books cheer us with their noblest thoughts and pearls of wisdom. I have read a number of books written by great scholars of the past as well as present.
The holy book I like most is the Ramayan. It presents a vivid picture of our cultural and social life, religion and thought in ancient India. Outwardly, it depicts the story of a wandering prince with his wife and brother to keep his father’s promise and finally fought a battle with a villain to save his wife. But the inner meaning of this book is far-reaching. It presents the true culture of ancient India.
King Dasharatha had a natural love with his son Rama. At the same time, he had a moral obligation to fulfill a pledge given to his second wife Kaikei. At this critical juncture, Rama renounced the throne. He became a hermit and went to forest for 14 years. Devoted Sita and obedient Laxman also followed with him. The ten-headed demon king Ravana abducted Sita. Vice ruled over virtue. Every tears of Sita destroyed golden Lanka and finally the demon king was killed by the great archer Lord Rama. Then they returned to Ayodhya. The narration of the ideal Rama, the obedient Laxman, the faithful Sita and the loyal Bharat in it is lively and wonderful. It highlights the real truth.
Tears of love and affection well up in our eyes when we learn it from the Ramayana. The victory of virtue over vice is the essence of this holy epic. It also teaches that we should stand on ‘Dharma’ in spite of all hardship.