A virtue becomes an ideal and an inspiration when it is practised with pure heart and dedication. All the more, it becomes a way of life when the virtues of a person become an inspiration for others to follow and are adapted into their own character and personality.
Shri Ram was the greatest inspiration to his dear brothers who were truly his reflections.
Each of the brothers had to sacrifice their own life, comfort for the sake of the other,however through the inspiration of Shri Ram’s virtues they proved that indeed they were his brothers to him in all ways.
Dedication and Servitude – Lakshman
If there servitude takes the shape of a man, then it is none other than Lakshman. If Shri Ram was given exile by Queen Kaikeyi, then Lakshman chose exile for himself. Not only does he give up his life with Urmila, but forgoes sleep too for the fourteen years he serves Shri Ram.
Just as a shadow has the identity of its own person, Lakshman has the identity of being Shri
Ram’s shadow. His utmost humble sacrifice shone when Shri Ram offered him to be the Yuvraj of Ayodhya, he simply refused it and requested to crown Bharat instead, and chose to remain in the service of Shri Ram all his life.
Loyalty and Devotion – Bharat
Shri Ram gave the greatest importance to Dharma all his life, and the brother who stood as his reflection was Bharat. Where there are family feuds for the sake of power and authority, on the contrary Bharat refuses to snatch away his elder brother’s right to the kingdom and offers it back to Shri Ram. Even though he could be a king in Shri Ram’s absence, he remains only a caretaker and devotes himself to the same life in Nandigram just as Shri Ram and
Lakshman were leading in the forest as ascetics thus gave his entire life to the devotion of Shri Ram.
Commitment towards responsibilities – Shatrughan
The youngest of the sibling sometimes becomes the strongest of all, and gives strength to the family by taking up their responsibilities. The adorable brother Shatrughan falls in this context very beautifully. He takes up the huge task of being a comfort to his mothers, Bharat. With Shri Ram and Lakshman gone to the forest, and Bharat too, renouncing the palace, it becomes the duty of Shatrughan to take care of the royal family. He put aside his worry and assisted Bharat in the administrative affairs and also took care of his mothers in the palace. The little calm brother of the three imparted that sacrifice for responsibility is the toughest virtue to acquire.
Though choosing a different path on their own, they adapted the virtues of Shri Ram with a common trait of Dharma and through these virtues showed their immense love on their elder brother who inspired millions to walk in his path.