ETHICS OF PROMISE KEEPING

ETHICS OF PROMISE KEEPING

Kaikeyi’s demand for Rama’s exile and kingdom for Bharata forms a turning point in the epic story. Valmiki characterizes Kaikeyi as a woman who is morally weak, susceptible to all ill advice of others. The initial reaction of Kaikeyi to the news that Rama was getting consecrated was that of a modest woman with no selfish motives. She says to Manthara, on being informed about Rama’s consecration, “I do not find any difference between Rama and Bharata. Therefor I am pleased that Rama is being consecrated as the king.” This attitude of Kaikeyi reveals that she had the moral quality of gentleness. But being morally weak her judgement of right and wrong disappeared due to external factors. Selfish ends became more predominate in herand on Manthara’s advice she committed the sin of asking Dasratha to send Rama into exile and to give the kingdom to Bharata. Both these demands were unjustifiable morally and made everybody, except her and Manthara, unhappy. The role of Dasratha was conflict between his moral duties of being truthful to his words and rejecting them because of their being against moral law exposes moral crises in him.

He was unprepared for the event and the sudden shock from Kaikeyi’s demands makes him speechless because of his commitment to the principle of promise keeping. He implores her to take back her demands but his entreaties become futile. He was no ascetic to renounce the world; the bondage of his love for Rama was too strong so that he could not bear his separation from Rama for 14 years. It proved fatal and ultimately he dies. Valmiki hints that Dasratha had a premonition of such a death as curse of the blind ascetic whose son young hermit Shravanhad been shot by Dasrath whole filling his pitcher for the use of his blind and aged parents.

Valmiki gives beautiful descriptions of how the people of Ayodhya were emotionally attached to Rama. Rama has conquered their hearts by his virtues. The more that Rama resolutely stuck to the dharma of keeping up the promise, the more men wanted him to be their ruler. It is beautiful reflections of Rama’s altruistic benevolence showered on his people on account of whom they show such an emotional attachment and regards for him.

Rama’s calmness midst severe censure of some of his kinsmen and his own resistance to retributive impulses manifest his high character. Lakshmana’s anger outbursts, “I will kill not forgive father whose mind is lost in Kaikeyi. Helpless, unsteady and childish he is blinded due to old age.” Are characteristic of him? Kaushalya also threatened Rama that she would die if Rama went to the forest and if she died Rama would go to hell. But Rama sticks to his moral stand. He declares, “Dharma (righteousness) is supreme in the world. Truth lies in Dharma. The words of my father come from Dharma. Having resolved to follow Dharma I cannot violate the words of my father, mother or a Brahmans.”

Rama says that he was upholding ethical practises, dispassionately. If he breached his own promise he will be condemned by the world. If his conduct is not good others will also emulate him. He asserts,” truth is the greatest dharma in the world and it is said to be the root of all dharma. Everything lies in truth and there is nothing superior to truth.” Rama’s sagacious adherence to dharma or righteousness is revered from his uncompromising attitude towards any request to take back the kingdom.