As Ramlila performances in north India are winding up and we celebrate Dussehra, the victory of good over evil, here is a unique retelling of Valmiki's Ramayana.  

Priya Arora’s ‘Rama: A Man of Dharma’ (Penguin India) shares the story of one of India’s most beloved figures, and also highlights the relevance of ancient wisdom in the modern-day world.

‘Rama: A Man of Dharma’ focuses on why Rama, the man, is worthy of the highest respect for his exemplary behaviour. Rama embodies the values that every human being should aspire to and Ramayana holds extreme relevance in aspiring liberty, equality, justice, fraternity, and democracy.
 
Beyond storytelling, in the appendix it showcases the wisdom of India’s ancestors, aligning their values with modern ideals. It also clarifies misconceptions and enriches appreciation for the timeless lessons of the Ramayana.

Here is an excerpt from a chapter that brings together gems of wisdom:

Memorable Lines from the Valmiki Ramayana

‘Those who know dharma say truth is the highest dharma.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Ironically, this is said by Kaikeyi to Dasharatha, when trying to persuade him to keep his promise and exile Rama.

‘Happiness is not always secured.’—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Rama says this to Kaikeyi, on seeing his father in a state of dejection when summoned by him on the coronation day.

‘Once Rama gives his word, it is final, and he does not equivocate.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Rama to Kaikeyi, promising to keep his father’s word.

‘One who has taken the wrong path should be disciplined, even if he is a guru, parent or elder in age or learning.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Lakshmana says this to Rama, encouraging him to resist their father’s unfair promise to Kaikeyi.

‘Destiny is hard to overcome.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Rama to Lakshmana, who rages about the unfairness of Rama’s exile.

‘Only the timid and weak leave things to destiny, the valiant who have a strong mind never seek shelter in fate.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Lakshmana’s response to rama, when Rama says some events in life occur due to what is preordained, so Kaikeyi and their father should not be blamed.

‘He who, having parted with an excellent elephant, seeks to retain the tether isindeed a fool.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Rama says this when Dasharatha wants to send him to the forest equipped with all comforts.

‘A veena is of no use without its strings, and a chariot is useless without wheels. Similarly, a wife who is bereft of her husband cannot be happy even if she has a hundred sons.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Sita to Kaushalya, asserting fidelity to her marriage vows and devotion to Rama despite his changed circumstances.

‘Grief destroys one’s courage, it effaces learning, it eradicates one’s everything. There is no enemy greater than grief!’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Kaushalya says this, apologizing to Dasharatha for speaking harshly to him while sorrowing about Rama’s exile.

‘No life is expunged before the appointed hour.’
—Book 2, ayodhyakanda.
Kaushalya says this in grief, wishing for death when Rama leaves and regretting that it does not come before its time.

‘There is no deity more powerful than time.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Bharata to Guha and others, when he sees the humble grass bed where Rama slept at Shringaverapura.

‘O blessed lady; a doer surely reaps the fruit of his deeds based on the nature of good or evil he has perpetrated.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Dasharatha says this to Kaushalya, while narrating his secret about having killed a hermit boy in his youth by mistake.

‘The night that has passed does not return.’
— Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Rama to Bharata, trying to convince him that he cannot return to Ayodhya till he finishes his exile, persuading his brother to accept the situation.

‘Only a person’s conduct and character proclaim whether he is well-born or otherwise, whether he is truly honest or just pretends that he is unblemished.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Rama chastising Jabali for suggesting that he disregard his father’s promise because Dasharatha is no more.

‘People are as repelled by a liar as they are by a serpent.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Rama to Jabali, on the importance of being ethical.

‘It is difficult for children to repay the debt owed to their mother and father for the enormous effort put into raising them.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Rama to Vasishta, stressing the need to uphold his father’s pledge in response to his plea to return to Ayodhya.

‘Splendour would sooner depart from the moon, nay the Himalaya Mountain would sooner shed its snow, and the ocean would sooner transgress its limits than I shall violate my father’s pledge.’
—Book 2, Ayodhyakanda.
Rama to Bharata, when insisting on keeping his word though Bharata begs him to take back the throne.

‘Prosperity flows from dharma; dharma is the source of happiness, and by following dharma, one gets everything. Dharma is the essence of this world.’
—Book 3, Aranyakanda.
Sita to Rama, advising him against unnecessary violence when he agreed to help the rishis by exterminating the rakshasas.

‘He who oppresses other created beings, who is hard-hearted and perpetrates sinful deeds cannot survive even if he is the ruler of the three worlds . . . The perpetrator of a sinful deed inevitably reaps its terrible consequence when the time comes just as a tree bears fruit in the appropriate season.’
—Book 3, Aranyakanda.
Rama, issuing a warning to Khara, who had spent his life torturing innocent sages, that his actions were about to catch up with him.

‘There is no greater sin than coveting another man’s wife.’
–Book 3, Aranyakanda.
Marichi to Ravana, when he tries to dissuade the latter from his plan of abducting Sita.

‘It is easy to find those who speak agreeable words to your liking, but it is rare to find one who speaks for your good even though it may be unpalatable.’
—
Maricha to Ravana, pleading with him to heed sensible advice.

‘One should only lift what one can carry. One should only eat what one can digest. Similarly, why perform an act that earns neither merit nor glory, and only costs you dearly?’
—Book 3, Aranyakanda.
Jatayu to Ravana, when he tries to reason with the rakshasa king to return Sita.

‘One who is bent on courting death does not take kindly to the wise advice of well-wishers.’
—Book 3, Aranyakanda.
Sita to Ravana, telling him to return her to Rama to avoid provoking reprisal in the form of his death.

‘Suffering is natural with regard to human beings.’
—Book 3, Aranyakanda.
Lakshmana to Rama, telling him that everyone is afflicted by sorrow at some time or the other in life, so suffering must be borne with fortitude.

‘There is no greater strength than enthusiasm. There is nothing unattainable by those who are determined, no matter how difficult.’
—Book 4, Kishkindhakanda.
Lakshmana to Rama, who is despondent about losing Sita.

[The excerpt reproduced with the permission of the publishers.]