Today they showed another aspect of Ram. That his compassion was not limited to humans. That was extended to animals also. Once again we saw the conflict in the young man. He is asked to select the best horse for the Aswamedha. And he is bound by duty as a son to select one. But he is conflicted is it right to kill a animal who has travelled so much for your success. For that matter does killing an animal makes us great.
Guru vashsist says killing of the horse is the symbolic killing of the kings ego. And Ram asks isn't there any other way to do it and also save the animal. And Vashist gives Ram another important lesson. Customs and rituals are kept by people to show their identity. If those things are questioned it is like questioning their identity. The young man looks unconvinced. But at the moment bound by rules unable to do anything.
But it raises the valid question around customs and rituals. If you look Ram is not directly going and challenging any custom. He is trying to understand why the custom exists. The root cause. Before finding a way to eliminate it. Even Vashist says he has to understand sacrifice, its meaning before he can think of a work around.
It is the same with us also. We can question the customs/rituals. But before being a rebel we need to understand the cause of that custom. I mean the real cause. And you have to be in a position to generate trust. Only then by addressing the real cause you can eradicate customs/rituals. No amount of fine or rules can help eradicate practices. But only understanding can.
I will give an example. I was on an official trip to Bangalore couple of months back. The taxi driver took of his seat belt after a certain section of the traffic. I asked him why he is doing that. He told now no police, so he don't have to wear seat belt. In the previous area police will be there and they will extract some fine for not wearing seat belt. I asked him about his family. He told wife, 2 kids and his parents. I told him do they expect him everyday at home after work. He said yes. I told him seat belt is actually there to improve his chances of returning home to his loved ones. I told him if his loved ones lost him for a cause which seat belt would have prevented who will they blame. Can their loss be rectified. Can his life be returned. Can his family live happily. I asked him to look at the seat belt as a life jacket for the happiness of his family not as something if not used some money will go. The driver wore the seat belt entire drive. And a week after when I was returning, I saw him near the office gate dropping off another employee. He smiled at me and indicated happily to me that he is wearing seat belt. I felt so happy that day, that I was able to change atleast one person's thought process in the right direction. And you change the customs/rituals only by connecting with people. It's a slow process, but a process that makes lasting impact.
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
