The Ramayana main character Prince Rama standing with an arrow quiver on his back and holding a bow

The Ramayana

by Vālmīki

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From The Ramayana, identify two examples of Rama following his dharma.

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Rama is a perfect prince. His background and his upbringing make this possible. As the son of a king, he has been taught the values of a good ruler and when he gets married to Sita, she becomes his teacher. Rama obeys both Kaikeyi and his father because it is his dharma or duty as a perfect prince. Lastly, in helping intimidate demons to protect Victrimitra, Rama shows that he will help others who are following their dharma and thereby making the world a better place.

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In The Ramayana, Rama is the 7th incarnation of Vishnu—which is why he stands out as one of the greatest heroes of India. Rama represents the perfection of the princely class. Part of his perfection stems from the fact that Rama always strives to follow his dharma. Two ways that he does this during The Ramayana are when he accepts his father’s banishment willingly and when he volunteers to help protect Victrimitra in the forest.

Near the beginning of Rama’s tale, he volunteers to protect Victrimitra, the great sage. Victimitra comes to Rama’s father’s court in Kosala to ask for help defending the sages against demon attacks. The sages are performing religious rituals in the forest and are being harassed by demons who dislike the rituals. Rama comes to the aid of Victrimitra simply because it is the right thing to do. He defeats several demons and ensures that...

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Victimitra and the other sages are safe. In volunteering to help, Rama is following his dharma by protecting an important religious ceremony.

After Rama is married, there comes a time when Rama is supposed to be banished from the kingdom. One of Rama’s father’s wives is Kaikeyi, and she is convinced, by her maidservant Manthara, that her son Bharata should sit on the throne after the king dies, instead of Rama. Kaikeyi has two boons to extract from her husband, and so she wishes Rama is banished from Kosala for 14 years. Rama, instead of fighting like Lakshmana suggests, chooses to obey to decisions of his father. This is keeping in line with his dharma because he respects his father’s authority as a good son. Rama’s selfless decision to go quietly explains why he is such a popular hero and figure.

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In addition to examples in previous answers is the heartbreaking point in the Ramayana when Rama decides he must exile his loyal wife Sita in order to follow his dharma. 

After he saves Sita from her kidnapper, Ravan, Rama is suspicious of the possibility that Sita was unfaithful to him with Ravan. She goes through trial by fire (Agni Pariksha), to prove her faithfulness and purity. Sita succeeds in the trial, and Rama happily welcomes her back into his arms. 

However, when they make their return to Ayodhya, people of the kingdom are still spreading rumors about Sita being unfaithful, and this is undermining their respect for Rama. Because he is now the ruler of Ayodhya, and must be able to keep order, he believes that he is following his dharma when he banishes Sita to the forest.  

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In Ramayana, two examples of Lord Rama following Dharma would be when he willingly accepts his banishment to the forest as well as his commitment to retrieve Goddess Sita from the demon- king Ravana.

Dharma is an adherence to one's duty.  Dharma means to act in accordance to righteousness and order. Lord Rama is exiled because Kaikeyi and Manthara seek to consolidate their own power.  However, Lord Rama understands his dharma as a son is to respect his parents.  Even though what is done to him is far from dutiful, he understands his dharma.  Lord Rama follows his dharma as a son and does not hesitate in accepting his banishment to the forest for 14 years.  

Another way that Lord Rama follows his dharma is in finding Goddess Sita. Lord Rama realizes that the demon- king Ravana has abducted Sita Devi.  He understands that to get her back is going to come at intense cost. Yet, he does not hesitate in following his dharma as a husband and soulmate. Along with his brother, Lakshmana, Lord Rama sets out on foot to Lanka in order to retrieve her.  He accepts the dharma that there will have to be a confrontation with the mighty Ravana.  In doing so, he follows his dharma to its natural end.

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