Moral Dilemmas
DASARTHA'S CHOICE
"'You have promised me the granting of two boons, and you have sworn to it in the name of Rama -- your darling son Rama. And now I'll speak out my mind. If you reject my demand, you will be the first of the Ikshvahu race, proud descendents of the sun god himself, to go back on a promise for the sake of convenience.' She took breath and demanded..." (from Valmiki, trans. R.K. Narayan)
Moral Dilemmas
The Role of Dharma
Definition
Dharma is defined as:
Dharma is a major concept in Hindu culture. It is a complex idea of cosmic moral order underlying all existence. Correct actions reinforce this moral order, are acceptable to the gods and bring auspicious consequences. Actions that are not right violate
dharma and bring personal, and sometimes cosmic, suffering. Therefore, the moral choice for a Hindu is doubly important. Bad actions (incorrect choices) can not only harm those who make these decisions, but they can actually trigger cosmic tragedies
like floods and droughts. Good actions bring cosmic harmony; bad actions bring cosmic suffering.
Introduction
The following five lessons will give substance to the discussion of moral dilemmas in the Ramayana. Each character faces a distinct dilemma in which he must make choices most in line with righteous behavior. The correct
choice depends on principles, circumstances, and individual personality. It is not easy to act according to dharma; thus the dilemmas the characters face present thought-provoking problems.
Dasaratha's Choice
Dasaratha, king of Ayodha and Rama's father, has to choose between a promise he has made to his son or a promise made to his wife.
>> go to this lesson
Lakshmana's Loyalty
Lakshmana, brother of Rama, must decide to stay and protect his sister-in-law or to save his brother's life.
>> go to this lesson
Rama Chooses Sides
Rama has to decide whether to follow through on a hasty promise to support the younger brother, Sugreeva, against his older brother, Vali, in a battle to the death.
>> go to this lesson
Hanuman Burns Lanka
Hanuman, monkey general and devotee to Rama, is faced with the decision to punish the city of Lanka, both the innocent and the guilty, or to flee without harming anyone.
>> go to this lesson
Sita's Ordeal by Fire
After Sita returns from being held captive in the home of the evil Ravana, Rama must decide whether to accept her back or to put her through a trial by fire to prove her chastity.
>> go to this lesson
Full lesson Plan
REFERENCE AND CLASSROOM MATERIALS