Page 90 - EJO0055

Q. What should be done to glorify and exhibit increasing
respect towards your elders ?

A. If you have increasing respect for elders in your heart, then
your behavior with them should be courteous and polite.

Q. What should be done to display a respectful behavior ?

A. (1) You should strive that all the good things, fame,
respect, credit and appreciation that you get
eventually goes to the elderly ones.

Younger brothers Bharat and Lakshaman respected Rama and
hence when Bharat was coronated as the king in presence
of Rama, he was not ready to sit on the throne. Thus, Rama
asked for forest exile from his father Dashrath and willingly
left the palatial comfortable life. What a great sacrifice !

(2) Act according to their words and wishes.

To ensure that Dashrath’s word to Kaikeyi was fulfilled and
Bharat became the king, Rama accepted exile. His respect for
Dashrath made him do this.

(3) Elder’s words and wishes should be followed even if
you have to make great sacrifices for it.

Lakshman respected Rama immensely. Hence, he too went
in the forest with elder brother Rama. He believed, if my
respected elder brother roams in the forest, how can I
peacefully stay in the forest ?”

(4) You should help them in times of need.

Damyanti respected and loved king Nala so much so that
she tried her level best to stop Nala from gambling with her
brother Pushkar. But Nala did not listen and eventually ended
up losing the entire kingdom. Now he had to roam in the forest.
80 Purity Purified