Resumo de Ramayana - retold by William Buck

Valmiki?s Ramayana teaches and exemplifies the necessity of following Dharma, including all creatures and stations, for individual and eventual national prosper and nirvana. It is acting according to dharma, as in opposition to free will, that one may realize and fulfill destiny; being their necessary role in the universe and the wheel of life. By Dasaratha, King of Ayodha, keeping his promise by granting the two wishes to his wife Kaikeyi to proclaim her son Bharata king instead of Rama, and exiling Rama to the forrest for fourteen years he does act in truth according to the three precepts of Dharma. King Dasaratha?s reluctant granting of Kaikeyi?s two wishes sets in motion the redemption of Narayana, "The great God Vishu who preserves the three worlds" (Buck, xxvii) freeing him from Vasishtha?s curse and "the world saved from tyranny" (Buck, 384) as Vasishtha explains to Kaikeyi.
The first doctrine set forth in the law of Dharma prescribes good and righteous conduct in preforming your life?s roles. King Dasaratha?s decision to honor his promise of two wishes to Kaikeyi is correct. King Dasaratha in his role is responsible for the continuation and prosperity of his people first, above his own personal wishes or feelings. King Dasaratha?s rule itself had long been known for keeping his word and promises. By Dasaratha?s rule being good and true up to this point his kingdom had flourished. At the time when the king is confronted to make a regretful and painful decision is the true test of his ruling considering Dharma. In support of Dasaratha keeping his word and granting Kaikeyi?s two wishes, Rama asserts,

"Keep your word and preserve the three worlds, keep us safe. For every broken promise breaks away a little dharma, and every break of Dharma brings closer the day the worlds must break apart" (Buck, 80).
In his role as King, Dasaratha?s rule by action and example must be true to Dharma.

The next teaching of Dharma requires King Dasaratha to preform his role correctly given a certain situation and time. Dasaratha is faced with this decision late in his rule, at the height of his rule, and directly at the moment of his happiest and most proud act of his rule; passing on his kingdom to his most favored son Rama and enjoying to witness his son?s rule before his own life is over. Dasaratha has previously dreamt of his won death and the end of his rule. Upon his decision that Rama is now to be king he discusses his thoughts with Rama. "Rama, to me the sight of you on the Ayodhya throne will be cool rain coming after summer?s life-draining heat" (Buck, 63). Though, fate is not something fully comprehensible to mortals. Here, upon his decision, the king has forgotten of killing the young forest boy earlier in his life. That the king does not recollect or consider any debt that may exist from this is an example of why to follow Dharma without question or comprehension. Now is the perfect time for this previous injustice to be vindicated.
The final law of Dharma dictates the sacrifice of freedom for the sake of duty or honor. What King Dasaratha has to sacrifice to fulfill Dharma, by granting Kaikeyi?s wishes, is the hardest of all. As a father, he must sacrifice his most beloved son. Knowing his own pain, he is also aware this will cause the sacrifice of his own life as he will die from a broken heart. And to follow through with Kaikeyi?s wishes, causing such despair, is the sacrifice of freedom in his actions. King Dasaratha decides to follow Dharma over his own free-will.
King Dasaratha follows his Dharma to the eventual good of all by granting Kaikeyi her boons. The laws of Dharma are set forth to protect and promote all within the wheel of life. Dharma prescribes margins for behavior that are meant to transcend one?s understanding or opinion of their situation. Fate is the course of happenings in the universe for a higher purpose no human may ever know. "Rama said, Dharma leads to happiness, but happiness does not lead to Dharma. There is some reason for all of this." (Buck, 144) As Dasaratha?s rule as King nearing the end of his life at the happiest height of his rule, sacrificing his son, himself, and freedom of choice he acts morally correct by following Dharma.

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