Seven Vices from the Ramayana: Lessons in Morality and Life

Table of Content

Lust to Purity and Self control
Anger to Patience and Compassion
Greed to Generosity
Ego to Humility
Attachment to Contentment
Jealousy to Appreciation
Laziness to Dilligence

विनाश काले विपरीत बुद्धि
“The destruction of those with perverse intellect.”

This profound shloka from the Ramayana encapsulates a crucial truth: misguided thoughts and actions can lead to one's downfall. As we celebrate Diwali, a festival that signifies the victory of light over darkness and truth over falsehood, it becomes essential to reflect not only on the virtues we aspire to embody but also on the vices we should strive to avoid.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is a joyous occasion that marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and love over hatred. Since childhood, we have all participated in the vibrant celebrations of Diwali. Are you familiar with the rituals and traditions that make this festival so special? How do you prepare for the festivities each year?

This time of year brings a spark of excitement, creating a sense of anticipation long before the festival actually arrives. However, once it is over, don’t you often find yourself missing the magic of the celebrations?

While Diwali is undoubtedly a time of joy and togetherness, it also imparts valuable lessons. The Ramayana teaches us many important truths, and as we celebrate Diwali with enthusiasm, we should take a moment to reflect on the lessons learned from our mythology. What are some things we should be mindful of as we celebrate? Beyond knowing what to do, how can we ensure we avoid repeating past mistakes?

We will not only learn the different vices of Hindu mythology, but we will also learn examples of each of these vices, and how we can work on controlling these vices.
Let's explore the seven vices of Hindu mythology together. Are there any that resonate with you? Let’s learn from these vices to improve our daily lives and foster a more positive and meaningful existence. Join us as we uncover these important lessons this Diwali!

The first human vice, Lust or Kama, is epitomized in the character of Ravana. Though Ravana, the king of Lanka, was a powerful ruler and a scholar of great wisdom, his intense desire for Sita clouded his intellect and virtues. Despite knowing Sita’s unwavering devotion to her husband, Lord Rama, Ravana’s obsession drove him to abduct her, disregarding all ethical and moral boundaries.

Negative Repercussion: Ravana’s actions led to an epic battle, culminating in the downfall of his kingdom and his own death at the hands of Rama. His single-minded pursuit not only destroyed his family and kingdom but also cast a dark shadow over his legacy.

Lesson: Lust, if left unchecked, can cloud judgment and lead to dire consequences. The story of Ravana warns us against letting desires override respect for others and personal integrity. Practicing restraint and channeling desires toward constructive goals cultivates inner peace and stability.

Ravana in Leather Puppetry by Rajeev Pulavar

The second human vice, Anger or Krodha, serves as a reminder that actions taken in anger often lead to unfortunate consequences. Lakshmana, Lord Rama’s devoted brother, was known for his courage and loyalty but struggled with a fiery temper. When Surpanakha, Ravana’s sister, attempted to seduce him and his brother, he felt insulted and reacted in anger, cutting off her nose, a symbolic act that humiliated Surpanakha and ignited her thirst for revenge.

Negative Repercussion: Lakshmana’s impulsive act of anger set off a chain of events, leading Surpanakha to Ravana with a plea for revenge, and ultimately to Sita’s abduction. This rash reaction fanned the flames of conflict between Rama and Ravana, leading to the devastating war.

Lesson: Anger can be powerful, but if uncontrolled, it often leads to unintended consequences. Lakshmana’s story teaches us the value of patience and measured responses. By cultivating calmness and practicing self-control, we can prevent anger from controlling our actions.

Serene Ramayana (Rama, Sita and Laxman) in Kalighat by Hasir Chitrakar

The third human vice, Greed or Lobha, is aptly summarized by the saying, "laalach ek buri bala hai," as it leads to an insatiable desire for more. Kaikeyi, the third wife of King Dasharatha, initially held deep affection for Rama. However, her greed for her son Bharata to ascend the throne led her to be manipulated by her maid, Manthara. In pursuit of her desires, Kaikeyi demanded that Dasharatha banish Rama to the forest for fourteen years and crown Bharata as king.

Negative Repercussion: Kaikeyi’s actions shattered her family and broke Dasharatha’s heart, leading to his demise. Her greed not only distanced her from her son Bharata, who rejected the throne and blamed her, but it also caused her intense regret and guilt.

Lesson: Greed blinds us to the consequences of our actions. Kaikeyi’s story serves as a reminder that true happiness lies not in amassing power or wealth but in nurturing loving relationships and contentment. Practicing generosity and gratitude prevents greed from disrupting our lives and relationships.

Ramayan masterpiece in Pattachitra by Purusottam Swain

The fourth human vice: Ego or Mada was shown by Indrajit, Ravana’s son, a mighty warrior who had defeated even the gods in battle. His immense pride in his abilities made him overconfident and arrogant. Convinced of his invincibility, he underestimated Rama and his allies, believing his prowess would ensure his victory.

Negative Repercussion: Indrajit’s pride blinded him to the true strength of his opponents, ultimately leading to his defeat and death at the hands of Lakshmana. His downfall was a significant blow to Ravana and weakened Lanka’s forces in the battle.

Lesson: Ego can distort reality and foster overconfidence, making us blind to our own limitations and the strengths of others. Indrajit’s story illustrates the importance of humility and reminds us to respect both our allies and opponents. Embracing humility allows us to grow and learn, free from the limitations of pride.

Indrajit in Leather Puppetry by Rajeev Pulavar

The fifth human vice, Attachment or Moha, is illustrated by King Dasharatha's profound bond with his son Rama. When Kaikeyi demanded Rama's exile, Dasharatha was caught in a painful conflict between his deep love for Rama and his obligation to uphold the promises he made to Kaikeyi. The thought of losing his beloved son consumed him, leading him into despair and ultimately resulting in his death from a broken heart.

Negative Repercussion: Dasharatha’s excessive attachment to Rama led him to prioritize his emotions over rational decision-making. His deep sorrow made him unable to accept the circumstances, resulting in his tragic death and leaving his kingdom vulnerable.

Lesson: Attachment, when excessive, can lead to suffering and cloud our ability to accept life’s changes. Dasharatha’s story teaches the value of detachment and acceptance, allowing us to face loss and transition with resilience. Practicing detachment fosters inner peace and prepares us for life’s inevitable challenges.

Rama Ayodhya Kalamkari Painting by Harinath.N

The sixth human vice, Jealousy or Matsarya, is depicted by Surpanakha, Ravana’s sister, who was overtaken by envy when she witnessed Sita’s beauty and Rama’s love for her. Unable to tolerate the sight of their affection, she attempted to seduce Rama. When rejected, her jealousy and rage drove her to attack Sita in a furious outburst.

Negative Repercussion: Surpanakha’s jealousy set off a chain reaction of vengeance. After her humiliation, she instigated Ravana to take revenge on Rama, which ultimately led to the abduction of Sita and the battle between Rama and Ravana

Lesson: Surpanakha’s story illustrates how jealousy breeds negativity and conflict, affecting both the individual and those around them. By appreciating others' qualities and successes, we can cultivate goodwill, strengthening our relationships and foster a more positive environment.

The Divine Saga: Epic Ramayana Journey, Phad Painting by Kalyan Joshi

The seventh human vice, Laziness or Alasya, is embodied by Kumbhakarna, Ravana’s giant brother. Renowned for his incredible strength, Kumbhakarna was equally notorious for his overwhelming laziness. Due to a misgranted boon from the gods, he would sleep for six months at a time, waking for just one day before succumbing to slumber once more. This lethargy and inaction hindered him from embracing responsibility or effectively utilizing his strength, even to advise Ravana against his misguided actions.

Negative Consequences: When Rama’s army attacked Lanka, Kumbhakarna was summoned from his deep sleep as a last resort to fight for Ravana. Although he displayed great power in battle, his laziness had left him unprepared and unaware of the gravity of the situation. Ultimately, he was defeated by Rama, his strength wasted due to his prolonged inactivity.

Lesson: Kumbhakarna’s story teaches us that laziness can be just as destructive as any other vice. By avoiding responsibility and failing to act when needed, we waste our potential and allow problems to escalate. Kumbhakarna reminds us to stay proactive, make use of our abilities, and face challenges rather than letting lethargy take control.

Kumbhakarna in Leather Puppetry by Rajeev Pulavar

The stories of the Ramayana show us how unchecked vices can lead to harm. It is natural to experience these emotions, but it’s crucial to balance them, allowing a little is human, but excess can lead to mistakes, as seen with these characters. To transform these vices into virtues, we must learn to manage the associated chakras. Along with meditation and yoga, engaging with art that resonates with each chakra can also support this inner balance.

It's important to know how we can soothe our mind and try and convert each vice into virtue

Lust to Purity and Self control

The Sacral Chakra governs our sensuality, creativity, and desire. When imbalanced, it can lead to overindulgence and uncontrolled desires, linking it to lust. Balance here fosters healthy boundaries and relationships.

To balance the Sacral Chakra the traditional Indian artform of Madhubani can be of help- with its rich, symbolic use of nature, fertility motifs, and balanced patterns, it resonates with the Sacral Chakra’s creativity. The earthy, vibrant colors used in Madhubani paintings connect with grounded sensuality, helping balance excessive desires by promoting mindful expression.

Anger to Patience and Compassion

The Solar Plexus Chakra is connected to willpower and self-confidence. Anger often arises when control or ego is challenged. Balancing this chakra aids in maintaining calm and harnessing anger constructively.

Warli art, with its peaceful depictions of rural life, ceremonies, and harmony between humans and nature, encourages calmness and introspection. The repetitive, balanced patterns and scenes of cooperation in Warli art resonate with the Solar Plexus Chakra, fostering self-assurance and redirecting anger towards positive, purposeful actions.

Greed to Generosity

While the Heart Chakra embodies love and compassion, an imbalance here may foster greed by creating an insatiable desire for more. A balanced Heart Chakra encourages generosity and empathy.

Pichwai paintings, which depict scenes of devotion to Lord Krishna and the beauty of nature, center on divine love and spiritual abundance. These art pieces remind us to embrace compassion and selfless love, which resonates with the Heart Chakra’s energies, helping replace greed with generosity and connection.

Ego to Humility

The Throat Chakra is linked to expression and truth. Excessive pride or arrogance can arise from an imbalance here, as it affects how one perceives and projects themselves. Balancing this chakra promotes humility and honest communication.

Indian calligraphy, particularly in Sanskrit or Urdu, centers on mindful expression and reverence for words, requiring humility and patience. Practicing or appreciating calligraphy fosters an authentic connection with self-expression, resonating with the Throat Chakra’s energies and encouraging humility over pride.

Attachment to Contentment

The Root Chakra is associated with security and grounding. Attachment often arises from fear of instability or loss. Balancing this chakra promotes trust and helps release unhealthy attachments.

Terracotta, derived from natural clay, represents groundedness and connection to the earth. Working with or displaying terracotta art, such as figurines or pottery, helps cultivate a sense of rootedness and resilience, soothing insecurities linked to attachment and creating a stable foundation for the Root Chakra.

Jealousy to Appreciation

Like greed, jealousy stems from an imbalanced Heart Chakra. Envy arises from a lack of self-acceptance or compassion. Balancing this chakra fosters self-love and diminishes feelings of jealousy.

Kantha, with its layered stitching and motifs of nature, encourages patience and self-expression. The act of creating Kantha embroidery promotes self-reflection and contentment. This focus on inner beauty and creativity helps balance the Heart Chakra, replacing jealousy with self-acceptance and appreciation for others.

Laziness to Dilligence

The Crown Chakra connects us to higher consciousness and spirituality. An unchecked ego isolates us from this broader awareness, creating separation from others. A balanced Crown Chakra transcends ego, fostering unity and spiritual awareness.

Mandalas, with their intricate, symmetrical patterns, represent unity, infinity, and spiritual interconnectedness. Engaging with Mandala art, whether through creating or observing, supports meditation and ego transcendence, aligning with the energies of the Crown Chakra and promoting a sense of oneness with the universe.

Victory comes when we replace hatred with love, anger with calmness, and all vices with virtues.

Virtues and vices shape our relationships with others; in our interactions, it is essential to remember the power of love and hate. When we show love, it inspires love in others; when we show hate, it awakens hatred in return. Love drives us to make sacrifices for others’ well-being, becoming the foundation of all virtues and unity. Virtues rooted in love include reverence, devotion, loyalty, hospitality, forgiveness, compassion, and protection. In contrast, hate leads to selfishness and separateness, making it the root of all vices.

This Diwali, may the light of each diya illuminate the virtues within you. Wishing you a joyful and blessed Diwali!

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