Strict adherence to the principles of righteous conduct enjoined by the Vedas is the prime duty of every individual. Wealth and status should not be allowed to stand in the way of fulfilling that obligation.
The epics are but annotations on the norms of Justice delineated in the Shastras, containing as they do instances of persons who attained exalted status by rigid observance of Dharmam against great odds and of those who were doomed because they defied the code.
At a time when people were becoming increasingly indifferent to the ethical axioms, God Himself assumed human forml as Sri Rama, upheld the greatness of Dharmam and showed, by example, that the path of righteousness was not impossible to tread.
Sri Anantarama Dikshitar and Sri Narayana Dikshitar of Sengalipuram, said the highest felicity attainable by man of Sengalipuram, said the highest felicity attainable by man in to perceive God in one’s inner Self.
Constant association with the virtuous, incessant utterance of God’s auspicious names and listening to the dissertations of His Divine exploits in His various incarnations – these have been accepted by the learned as the sure and easy methods of attaining that sublime happiness especially in this Kali Yuga. With their abundant mercy, the Sadhus would correct a wrong-doer and turn him to the right path. Both the Ganga and the Sadhus had the power to wash away one’s sins.
Whereas one should take a dip in the sacred river observing certian formalities, a mere look by the Sadhus would serve the purpose. This Is because, while the Ganga had come away from the lotus feet of Sri Narayana where it originated, the Sadhus have permanently enshrined the Lord’s feet in their hearts by deep meditation and prayer.
Though Valmiki was himself quite conversant with the story of Sri Rama, he wanted to get it through an Acharya. When Sage Narada, the Divine preceptor, came to his hermitage, the poet posed the question who was an ideal man – a repository of null virtues with no defect. The answer came from Narada on the form of Samkshepa Ramayanam which formed the foundation on which the magnificent 24,000 verse edifice was built by Valmiki.
In fact, Narada, having chosen Valmiki as the competent personn to write the epic, was wondering how to request him to take up the work. So, he felt profoundly relieved and happy when the poet himself came out with the question.