रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः.

“Mrutam Sareeram Utsrujya Kaashtha Loha Samankshitau Vimukha Bandhavayaanthi Dharmastamanu gachhati” (Garuda Puranam) 

 

When we leave this human body and the funeral pyre is lit, our friends and relatives can no longer accompany us on the journey. Only our good deeds in this material world proceed with us to the heavenly realm.


Dharma and Adharma are indeed man’s real friend and foe. And since both Dharma and Adharma are put forth into action by man, man is his own friend or foe. Hence one must never attribute one’s own joy or suffering to be the result of others but to one own’s actions. The Shastras hence say that happiness and sorrow are not bestowed upon us by anyone, and to think so is foolishness -

सुखस्य दुःखस्य न कोपि दाता ।
परो ददातीति कुबुद्धिरेषा ॥

Lord Rama was Dharma personified – रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः.