Dharma is not confined to a limited section of a society nor status, but it is the eternal truth spread and pervading all over the Universe. It is the duty of each and every living being to adhere to it, lest it would bring to the downfall of the same, sooner or later. Ramayan highlights this truth that a follow where not only the family and followers of Shri Ram taught mankind the importance of Dharma, but the women belonging to the enemy’ camp too followed Dharma and did their responsibilities in the right way.
Tara was the virtuous wife of Bali, one of the powerful warriors in the three worlds. Bali was known for his strength and might and Tara for her virtue and intellectuality. Tara always gave complete support to Bali in all his deeds of valour, except one as it was against Dharma. When Tara comes to know about Shri Ram and Lakshman’s arrival at Rishyamuk, she senses danger. When Sugriv comes and challenges Bali for battle, she understands the whole picture that Shri Ram is supporting Sugriv and warns Bali the danger. She advises Bali from going against Shri Ram and Sugriv and requests Bali to give back Sugriv’s wife Ruma back to him. She says it is against Dharma to hold captive his brother’s wife and Shri Ram being a follower of Dharma is hence against them. Tara does not blindly take pride in her husband’s strength but differentiates between right and wrong and explains the same to Bali. But Bali does not listen to her and meets his end.
In the Ashokvatika, the only solace and relief for Mata Sita was the chant of Shri Ram and lady Trijata. As a companion, mother, friend and sister, she took care of Mata Sita in the enemy’s camp. Trijata believed in Dharma and knew Ravan was in his end days for his deceit and false ways of disregarding a women’s respect with his ego and arrogance. Trijata gave strength to Mata Sita by her soothing and confident words and made things look positive for Mata Sita each and every day. Being a demoness did not stop Trijata from being good and she proves that people are good or bad by their deeds and virtues, but not by birth.
Ravan not only disregarded Mata Sita’s respect, but also that of his virtuous wife Mandodari too. If Ravan would have listened to the good counsel of Mandodari, then it would have been a different story in his life. Mandodari took pride in her husband’s strength but was also against his Adharma. Right from the time of the immature advice given by Shurpanakha, she warns and advises Ravan not to bear enmity with Shri Ram. Her strength and belief in Dharma is depicted in the time where she says that she is not afraid of anything, but Adharma. Just because she was the queen of Ravan did not make her blind to Dharma or she kept silent about her husband’s deeds, but protested them always. A virtuous woman fights for Dharma even though her own people are against it.
These women simply, but strongly prove that a woman is not as delicate as she looks, but built with loads of inner strength and once they decide to keep up the integrity of Dharma, then they never step back on it even though their own people don’t support them. Dharma gives them that strength.