The Chariot of Righteousness
An extract from Ramcharitmanas
When Goswami Tulsidas wrote his Ramcharitmanas in the sixteenth century, he chose to convey his spiritual message using the story from Maharishi Valmiki’s Ramayana, an engrossing tale and one of the greatest epics of all time.
It describes how the Lord took birth in human form as Ram, grew up as a prince and married Sita. The epic then recounts how Ram was exiled to the forest, where Sita was kidnapped by Ravan, and then tells of Ram’s search for Sita and battle with Ravan and his demon army to rescue her.
Sage Bharadwaj, a great devotee of the Lord Ram, dwelt in his ashram at Prayag. On one occasion, he met the sage Yajnavalkya, who was well known for his wisdom and understanding:
Please explain to me, O merciful lord, Yajnavalkya,
who is Ram?
One Ram I have heard of is the son of King Dashrath
of Ayodhya, whose deeds are renowned.
This Ram suffered greatly from the pain of separation
when his wife was kidnapped by Ravan,
and in fury he slew Ravan in battle.
Ravan was the demon-king of Lanka.… He was a great Vedic scholar, but found that all his wisdom deserted him when he was overcome with lust for Sita.
Vibhishan was Ravan’s brother but he looked upon Ram as his spiritual master.
As the final battle between Ram and Ravan is about to commence, Tulsidas speaks of the chariot which leads to victory. He offers this allegory to those who seek spiritual liberation and wish to develop qualities that will be needed to win the battle with the mind.… Ravan boarded his magnificent chariot, which could move as swiftly as the wind.…
Vibhishan was greatly concerned seeing Ravan on his war-chariot and Ram had none. His great affection for the Lord caused a feeling of doubt in his heart, and moving forward he bowed and said: “Dear Lord, how will you be able to overcome this mighty warrior? You have no chariot or any protection either for your body or your feet?”
In order to dispel Vibhishan’s doubts and fears, Ram answered his friend lovingly by saying: “Listen, dear friend, the chariot that leads to victory is different.”
He continued:
Valour and patience
are the two wheels of this chariot.
Firm adherence to the truth and noble conduct
constitute its banner and flag.
This chariot is pulled forward by four horses:
strength, discrimination, self-discipline
and benevolence, which are controlled
by the reins of forgiveness, compassion
and equanimity of mind.
Devotion to God is the wise driver of the dharm-rath
(Chariot of Righteousness) and detachment is its shield.
Contentment is the dagger, charity the axe,
discerning mind the most powerful missile,
and highest wisdom the tough relentless bow.
A pure and still mind is the quiver,
and calmness, self-restraint and adherence
to well-established ethical principles and rules
are the sharp arrows.
Reverence and devotion for the learned
and for one’s own master is the coat of mail
that provides impenetrable protection.
To attain victory, there is nothing else
that could be more efficacious than these.
O friend! One who owns a chariot of such spiritual piety
has no enemy to conquer anywhere.
Again and again he reiterated his devotion to Ram and happily bowed his head to him.
Tulsidas tells us that victory can be gained only if we ride the dharm-rath, the chariot of righteousness. This chariot is not something external; it is within.