Dasarath’s family was an ideal joint family. we too have enjoyed the common bond and warmth of joint families .According to age old  tradition , the entire world is seen as one large family – the aptavakya or great saying :’ Vasudeva Kudumbakam’ expression in Sanskrit. In joint families, selfishness and separatism do not raise their ugly heads. Sharing is the ‘mantra’ practiced. Of late Persons started being individualistic, with the emergence of the so-called ‘nuclear families and the spirit of sharing and common good practically vanished. This was the result of consumerist culture, chasing more and more comforts and opulent life for oneself, even resorting to unfair means or even at the cost of others.

Dasaratha was very happy to see their children growing up.  Knowledge in Vedas, sastras and martial arts were imparted to them They mastered all of them quickly. Rama was a perfect man, a well rounded and wholesome personality or epitome of all human strengths and virtues. Even as a boy everyone loved and admired him. The word Rama comes from the Sanskrit word ‘rammyathe ethi Rama ‘meaning, one who is endearing to the hearts of all   . He was kind, compassionate and helpful.

Sage Viswamitra visited Ayodhya, the capital of Kosla kingdom   to meet its ruler Dasaratha.  Viswamitra found the Demons, disturbing  meditation and obstructing religious sacrifices performed by saints for the welfare of the people and proved to be a general nuisance to their peaceful saintly life. Sage Viswamitra wanted to perform a yagna or Vedic rite in his Sidhashram. He asked Dasaratha to send Rama with him to protect them while conducting the ritual. Rama was too small a boy at that time. Dasaratha who longed for a child and got  after    performing yaga . He was not sure Rama was strong enough to fight with Demons.So  he hesitated to send Rama along with Viswamitra. He told Sage Viswamitra he would send his army with him. He refused his plea and wanted only Rama.   He being  short tempered ,  reacted sharply to the unwillingness on the part of Dasaratha to send Rama. Viswamitra advised him that the desire of what we like should always be with us always is due ignorance and strong emotional tie and self-centeredness and that it could cause great sorrow.  We can find three types of people amidst us. First, those who are so possessive that they will not part with anything, whether they want it or not .Second category of people give up things which are not important to them. Third category of people sacrifices even those that are most precious to them   and their services is commendable. They do selfless service. As ‘Amma’ says spirituality is doing selfless service. They are joyful in giving away rather than in taking.

 A little later Dasaratha realized that Viswamitra’s greatness and felt that he should not have sought Rama’s help, unless he knew his capabilities. Viswamitra asked for Rama probably to test Dasaratha’s spirit of self sacrifice.   That is to find out whether he would part with the company of Rama, who he loves most.  Great peoples do.  So ultimately he conceded Vamiki’s request .When Rama knew about it, he was ready to leave along with Viswamitra. He being divine, could visualize the very purpose of his birth as destruction of demons or wicked people and restoration of security, peace and justice in the three worlds

 Adi Shankara, the greatest saint and the proponent of famous ‘Advaita’ philosophy, who lived about 1000 years ago, had said that all who are born to fulfill unique purposes in life and each one is endowed with unique potentialities, although we are hardly aware of that truth. Is it to dine, sleep and make merry, we are born or to engage in acts of nobility like leading a life of virtues, serving the needy etc?

Like Dasaratha we too get caught between opposing pulls of our self interest and larger interest.  Our self interest generally wins over larger interest .  Here the lesson is, we should subordinate our selfishness for larger good, which is not easy, unless we try hard working ruthlessly for selfish interests could lead to short term gains, but with long term loss, suffering and sorrow.

Most of us are unaware of our potentialities and those of others. Many capabilities go unnoticed and wither away for want of nurturance. The context here teaches us a lesson that we should  realize our potentialities and those of others and harness them  for the good of the society .Destruction of evil forces which demons represent was a necessity .We  too should be ready to  fight against evils rather than condoning them  and do something good to the society , rather than  looking after our self interest  alone . We should cultivate a helpful attitude .It could be a small or minor help . The question is not whether help is minor or major .It is the help a person gets when he needs that matters. We should also stand against all acts of injustice, even if we are not victims of evil actions .It is our dharma or duty not only to maintain personal uprightness, but also to protect righteousness and to raise voice against any act of injustice in the society. We should not support any one who acts without sense of justice nor should we close our eyes to those acts for some momentary flimsy personal gain.

Viswamitra accepted when Dasaratha asked Lakshmana, step brother of Rama who was always with him to go with Rama. Thus Rama and Lakshmana accompanied Viswamitra to his Ashram .They had to pass through thick jungles.  Their journey  was very hard and tedious in the beginning  till   Viswamitra  empowered them with two mantras called ‘Bala’ and Adibala  It is to be noted that in ancient times , they knew the art of recouping from tiresomeness and recharging  energy by technique of mind control . Mantras are techniques of mind control and invoking rare powers