Op Research

The air was rich with expectation. Though it was still early morning, the entire city was up in joy. It was indeed a special day. Today Rama, their beloved prince, was to be crowned. An embodiment of virtue and righteousness, Rama was the eldest among four princes. But fate had something else in store. Rama's father Dasharatha, himself a generous and popular king, was forced under oath by one of his three wives (Rama's stepmother), to banish Rama to the forest for fourteen years, and to crown her own son instead.

There is no doubt that the throne rightfully belonged to him. But what was Rama's reaction to these happenings? Not a slightest sign of disappointment or sorrow crossed his face. Smiling, he said: "Surely the king's promise must be fulfilled. My hair shall be twisted and I shall wear the bark and go to the forest this very day." Dasharatha recognizing the injustice of the situation requested Rama to disobey him, and seize the throne by force. But Rama, insisting that there was no joy in getting a kingship gained by the breaking of a promise or by the slaying of one's own brothers, declined to do so.

Rama's adventures give ample opportunity to a willing poet attempting to chronicle his exploits. All however point in the direction which portrays him as the quintessential hero. This is achieved by presenting him as spectacularly qualified to display his prowess across a variety of situations requiring heroic succor. These characteristics casting Rama in the complexion of the 'archetypal hero' can be classified as follows:

1) Facing the Unknown

2) Hero and the Goddess: Love and Sublimation

3) Heroic Nobility

4) The Path of the Karmayogi

Facing the Unknown

The story of Rama is the story of the archetypal hero who lies within the depths of our own psyche. His journey to the forest is the unique voyage all of us must make. It is an adventure into the mysterious and the unknown. The jungle or forest is an apt and well recognized Jungian symbol for the...