Ram's Secret

by Devdutt Pattanaik

Ram, the only avatar of Vishnu to be worshipped as king.

The symbol of dharma is the bow, which the gods gave to Prithu. The bow indicates balance — the string cannot be left loose or too taut. Prithu is described as the first responsible king of earth. This is why the earth is called Prithvi.

Ashrama ensures that not more than two generations utilised the earth’s resources at any one time. When the grandson is born, it is time to retire, eat less food than the householder. And when the great grandson is born, it is time to become a hermit, eat what the forest, not the field, provides.