‘Reflections of Ram Sewak’ Reminisces Flowing Spiritual Stream
Reflection of Ram Sewak by Anirudh Tewari Image credit Tree Shade Books
Anirudh Tewari in ‘Reflections of Ram Sewak’ Lists Common Strands in Epics
By Manish Anand
New Delhi, December 21: Ramcharitmanas and Gita indisputably belong to India’s rich oral traditions. For ages, India’s history was passed on through oral traditions. Two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, also survived ages through oral traditions.
The two epics also form the moral compass of India. Over the centuries, tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata crossed continents to tell tales of moral values to the global community.
Both the epics also invited literary scrutiny. Commentaries on them flowed with intensity. Many languages boast of commentaries on the Ramayana and the Gita, with commentators coming from varied backgrounds.
Anirudh Tewari is a serving officer from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). He grew up listening to and reading out Shri Ramcharitmanas. The epic authored by Tulsi Das hummed the air in Tewari household. His father Ram Sewak Tewari introduced the young Anirudh to the epic. The IAS officer’s lifelong bond with Shri Ramcharitmanas has now come out in the form of a book – Reflections of Ram Sewak: A Sangam of the Gita and Shri Ramcharitmanas. Tewari said at the book launch at Gymkhana Club in New Delhi that the title of his literary pursuit is after his father’s name.
Battle of Walong Shines Hockey Legends Against Chinese Ambush
The 295-page long book lists the common strands of the Gita and Shri Ramcharitmanas. Tewari says that there are far too many common streams in the two revered epics. Fifty-four chapters of the book guide readers through the common strands of the Gita and the Shri Ramcharitmanas in an easy-to-read style of writing.
In the chapter ‘Jaya Rath’, Tewari writes: “What is magical about Shri Ramcharitmanas is the simplicity of its lyrical exposition in the colloquial language of some of the erudite gyan of Gita.” To assert his argument, Tewari makes references to Lord Ram’s response to Vibhishan’s bewilderment at lack of a chariot and other means ahead of the battle against the demon king Ravana. “…the chariot which leads one to victory is quite another,” Lord Ram replied to Vibhishan.
Tewari writes that Lord Ram’s ‘Jaya Rath’ consisted of qualities that one needs to triumph against battles fought within and outside by the people. “In Gita, Shri Krishna terms these same mental and emotional attributes, moral attitudes, and ethical principles as essential prerequisites for the seeker who is anxious to experience the Infinite Self,” writes Tewari.
The author further quotes from the Shri Ramcharitmanas, saying that “the dharma rath moves on two wheels of Sauraj (valour) and Dhiraj (perseverance)”. Also, the Gita gives the lesson that “it is essentially the willpower and emotional stability to persevere even when faced with repeated failures”.
The 54 chapters of the book have been divided in five themes. The book has been published by Tree Shade Books.
The Ramayana and the Gita also set wider contours of the Hindu Dharma. The moral template formed by the two epics have widely been attributed to constitute the principles of Dharma. Tewari rightly argues that Dharma has no exact English translation and equating it with religion will be erroneous.
Citing Vibhishan Gita from the Shri Ramcharitmanas, Tewari lists self-control as the fourth horse of the chariot of the righteousness. He quotes Lord Ram telling Vibhishan that “…strength, discretion, self-control and benevolence are its (chariot of righteousness) four horses that have been joined with the reins of forgiveness and evenness of mind”.
Tewari’s simplicity of the language makes the book appealing for cross-sections of the society. He has done a great service in decoding the moral template of the two epics in concise and succinct forms for popular consumption. The book will also appeal to youngsters who may seek a moral anchor in their life when urges of immediate gratification bring untold upheavals.
Join the WhatsApp Channel of The Raisina Hills
Follow on Google News https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMNK2vwsw39HWAw?hl=en-IN&gl=IN&ceid=IN%3Aen
About The Author
