The Ramayana, a revered scripture often lauded as a “life compass,” encapsulates profound insights that transcend time. Its pages hold invaluable lessons capable of guiding humanity towards fulfilment and victory. This collection of notable quotes from the Ramayana captures timeless wisdom and life lessons drawn from stories that have echoed through the ages.
Prominent Quotes from the Ramayana
The Essence of Resilience
“Even your compassion is as forceful as a gust of wind, and your words can strip a tree of its blossoms.” – Ramayana.
“Grief shatters courage, cripples learning, and dismantles everything. No adversary is greater than sorrow.” – Ramayana.
“Time is the mightiest deity.” – Ramayana.
Dharma: The Path of Righteousness
“Those well-versed in dharma declare truth to be the highest duty.” – Ramayana.
“Lust, anger, and greed – these are the three mighty evils.” – Ramayana
“The bold and self-assured do not rely on destiny or luck; they leave nothing to chance.” – Lakshmana to Rama.
“Just as people fear serpents, they fear those who weave lies. Truth governs the world, and righteousness springs from the truth.” – Rama to Maharshi Jabali.
Companionship: Bonds That Define
“A Veena lacks meaning without its strings. A chariot is incomplete without its wheels. A woman cannot find happiness without her husband, despite having a hundred sons.” – Ramayana.
“You cannot expect the constant presence of your loved ones. A seed germinating beneath its parent tree remains stunted until it’s transplanted. Rama will be under my care and flourish. Yet, he will eventually depart too. Every individual must, at the right moment, seek their destiny.” – Ramayana.
Release and Liberation
“Uninterrupted happiness is challenging to attain. Joy and sorrow alternate in one’s life; unbroken happiness is but a rarity.” – Ramayana
“Like dreamers asleep at night, the world beholds numerous dreams. In this realm of darkness, only those detached from material pursuits are absorbed in contemplating the supreme. True awakening is only achieved when one renounces worldly pleasures.” – Ramayana.
“Presenting a gift of an elephant while clinging to the rope used to tether it is futile when the elephant itself is being offered.” – Ramayana.
The Power of Karma: Crafting Fate
“A person’s lineage and character reveal whether they hail from a noble lineage, whether they’re genuine or simply boastful, and whether they’re pure or tainted.” – Ramayana.
“Failing to reciprocate a favour tarnishes one’s humanity.” – Ramayana.
“Indiscipline plagues even those who hold positions of respect, be it a guru, a parent, or an elder, if they’re reckless, ignorant of right and wrong.” – Ramayana.
Parental Reverence
“Beauty might forsake the moon, snow may desert the Himalayas, and the ocean may transgress its bounds, but I shall never betray the promise made to my father.” – Ramayana.
“No burden escapes providence’s weight, not even death.” – Ramayana.
“Children struggle to repay the debt incurred from their upbringing by their parents.” – Ramayana.
Embracing Transition: The Eternal Cycle
“Life departs at the destined hour.” – Ramayana
Conclusion
The Ramayana remains a guiding light of enduring Indian tradition, offering profound insights into family, friendship, dharma, and karma. Its verses possess the potential to unearth answers that have captivated humanity across generations.
