The Ramayana, a revered scripture often hailed as a “compass for life,” encapsulates profound insights that transcend eras. Its pages hold invaluable lessons capable of guiding humanity towards fulfilment and triumph. This collection of notable Ramayana quotes captures timeless wisdom and life lessons drawn from tales that have reverberated through time.
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 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 that germinates 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 beacon of enduring Indian tradition, offering profound insights into family, friendship, dharma, and karma. Its verses hold the potential to unearth answers that have captivated humanity across generations.