Heckel 1 Annie Heckel Professor Harper Lit 2012 September 20

Heckel 1annie Heckelprofessor Harperlitr20128 September 2014dear Profe

Analyze the portrayal of dharma in “The Sakuntala” and “The Ramayana,” focusing on how each work presents and emphasizes the concept. Compare and contrast the role and significance of dharma in both texts, discussing how it influences characters' actions, conflicts, and the stories’ themes. Support your analysis with specific examples from the texts, examining the importance of duty versus love and how each work ultimately portrays the balance between moral obligation and personal desire.

Paper For Above instruction

Throughout Hindu literature, the concept of dharma—often translated as duty, righteousness, or moral obligation—serves as a foundational principle shaping character actions and narrative themes. In ancient epics like “The Ramayana” and classical plays such as “The Sakuntala,” dharma's presentation reveals differing cultural perceptions of moral duty, personal desire, and societal expectations. Exploring these two texts illuminates how each emphasizes dharma’s role in guiding individuals and how these portrayals reflect broader cultural values.

Introduction

The notion of dharma is central to understanding Hindu ethics and worldview. Its portrayal varies significantly across texts, influencing characters’ decisions and conflicts. In “The Ramayana,” dharma is depicted as a stringent moral code that governs personal and social conduct, often necessitating sacrifices for the greater good or adherence to societal norms. Conversely, “The Sakuntala” offers a more nuanced view, where love and personal virtue interplay with duty, sometimes subordinating dharma to individual passion.

Dharma in “The Ramayana”: Duty as the Supreme Moral Force

In “The Ramayana,” dharma operates as an overarching moral order that drives the characters’ actions. King Dasaratha’s obligation to uphold his word exemplifies the paramount importance assigned to duty. His decision to exile Rama, despite his love and respect for his son, stems from his commitment to his promise to Queen Kaikeyi, illustrating how dharma can demand personal suffering for societal expectations (Valmiki, trans. Dutt). This portrayal underscores the belief that moral obligation must often take precedence over individual desires.

Moreover, dharma’s influence extends to Rama’s own conduct, emphasizing obedience and righteousness. Rama’s adherence to his exile, even when it causes suffering to Sita and himself, reflects unwavering commitment to moral duty. This portrayal reinforces the idea that dharma is essential for maintaining cosmic and social harmony, embodying ideals of righteousness, loyalty, and self-sacrifice (Radhakrishnan, 1953).

Dharma in “The Sakuntala”: Duty as Contextual and Subordinate to Love

In contrast, “The Sakuntala” presents dharma as more flexible and contextual. Dushyanta’s interactions with Sakuntala reveal a tension between social duty and personal inclination. His initial respect and adherence to social norms, such as considering the caste implications of their union, align with traditional dharma. However, love’s power ultimately influences his actions more strongly, leading to personal sacrifice that overrides strict societal expectations (Kalidasa, trans. Monier-Williams, 2011).

The play demonstrates that dharma, while respected, is subordinate to love and personal virtue. Sakuntala’s actions, such as her hospitality and respect for the sage Durvasas, embody social propriety, but the conflict arises when these duties are neglected or challenged. The curse cast by Durvasas—resulting from Sakuntala’s inadvertent neglect—serves as a divine reminder that failure to uphold social and ritual duties precipitates personal suffering, yet love remains the ultimate goal (Kalidasa, 2011). Here, love and emotional bonds are depicted as more powerful than adherence to rigid moral codes.

Contrasting Portrayals and Thematic Implications

The contrasting portrayals of dharma reflect different cultural emphases. In “The Ramayana,” duty is depicted as an absolute, necessary for societal stability and cosmic order. Characters are often compelled by moral obligations that demand personal sacrifice, highlighting the virtue of self-restraint and commitment to societal roles (Radhakrishnan, 1953). Conversely, “The Sakuntala” emphasizes personal virtue and emotional authenticity, portraying dharma as a guiding principle that is adaptable and subordinate to love’s transcendental power.

This dichotomy underlines broader philosophical debates within Hindu tradition regarding the balance between individual desires and societal responsibilities. The Ramayana’s focus on unwavering duty exemplifies an ideal of moral absolutism, while Kalidasa’s play advocates for a harmonious integration of love and duty, suggesting that personal virtue can sometimes merit precedence over societal expectations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “The Ramayana” and “The Sakuntala” offer contrasting visions of dharma—one emphasizing its absolute nature and societal importance, the other portraying it as flexible and subordinate to love. These portrayals reflect differing cultural ideals: the Ramayana underscores duty as the foundation of righteousness, while “The Sakuntala” celebrates personal virtue and emotional authenticity. Together, they enrich our understanding of how dharma functions as a complex, multifaceted concept within Hindu literature, embodying both moral strictness and compassionate flexibility depending upon context and emphasis.

References

• Kalidasa. The Sakuntala. Trans. Sir Monier Monier-Williams. World Literature Through the Renaissance, Vol. 2. Charles Town, WV: APUS E-Press, 2011.
• Valmiki. The Ramayana. Trans. Romesh C. Dutt. World Literature Through the Renaissance, Vol. 2. Charles Town, WV: APUS E-Press, 2011.
• Radhakrishnan, S. (1953). The Bhagavad Gita. Harper & Brothers.
• Kinsley, D. (1989). Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook. University of California Press.
• Doniger, W. (2010). The Hindus: An Alternative History. Penguin Books.
• Hiltebeitel, A. (2002). The Ritual of Battle: Krishna in the Mahabharata. State University of New York Press.
• Shulman, D. (2009). Hinduism and Modernity. Routledge.
• Moore, R. (2011). Sacred Texts and Rituals in Hindu Tradition. Oxford University Press.
• Fox, R. (2008). The Politics of Culture in Modern India. University of California Press.
• Easwaran, E. (1985). The Bhagavad Gita. Nilgiri Press.