Danny Michelin 10/25/2010 Humanities Dedication in the Ramayana

Dedication is a very apparent theme in the Ramayana. It is as though the main idea of the book is dedication. From Rama's dedication to his wife to the devotion of his wife, there are many examples to be found. The first example in the book, ... Please comfort my father, see that he realizes the nature of present situation-of my duty as his son in keeping his word. A word is given like an arrow, it goes forward, you cannot recall it mid way., although controversial, is a great example of dedication. Rama is utterly dedicated to his agreement, and has no intention of breaking off of that agreement. This is very common with Rama, as he never breaks promises. In the Ramayana, there is a large number of examples for devotion, such as when Sita dedicated herself in going with Rama into exile, (I'm coming with you; My place is by your side wherever you may be), where she was committed to Rama for the entire time when she was captured, and where Rama had a sole duty to rescue her and bring her back to safety. These kinds of events are very common between Rama and Sita, obviously because they are husband and wife. There is a sort of brotherly dedication that is very common in the book, which is best portrayed by the relationship between Lakshmana and Rama. A good example of this is when, Lakshmana had posted himself, as normally he did, on an eminence shaded with trees, and was watching in all directions. When he saw Soorpanaka near the hut, he became alert; when he found her stalking Sita, he sprang down on her. She had just laid hands on Sita, when she found herself grabbed, held down by her hair, and kicked in the stomach, because he is protecting what is his brothers. Although these are forms of good dedication, there is an apparent theme of obsession,

especially in Ravana's case. He was obsessed over Sita and was dedicated to getting her, and making her queen. He had gone to such lengths to capture her, (..Except for the fact that you are a woman, I want you and will die if I don't have you) because of his obsession with Sita. Prior to that event, he had completely disregarded the safety of his sister Soorpanaka, who had just been mutilated, because she was describing the beauty of her. Although Sita had been with Rama in a past life, she is another good example of obsession. She was infatuated with Rama and became restless because of her desire for Rama. She would cry for Rama, begging to be with him, and she got her wish. As you can see, even in the beginning of the book, there is a very apparent theme of dedication in the book, and it is brought up many times. It almost seems as though this book was about dedication, from Rama's consistent views and picking a very righteous path, the obsession of Ravana for Sita, the relationship of Rama and Laksmana, and the devotion that Rama and Sita have for each other.