What happened: a case for reading epics for dharma in everyday life
A The Hindu opinion article argues that reading epics and other holy texts benefits a person’s mental and spiritual well-being. The opinion recommends daily study and presents the Ramayana as a practical guide for life at any age.
Background and earlier position: Ramayana ethics placed inside ordinary family life
The opinion credits Damodara Deekshithar with the idea that the Ramayana teaches dharma not only through devotion, but also through conduct in ordinary family life. The opinion emphasizes that family dynamics portrayed in the Ramayana—how parents deal with each other, how spouses behave, how siblings respond to challenges, and how children react—remain broadly relevant across time.
What changed now: Mahabharata comparison strengthens the ‘non-abandonment of dharma’ message
The opinion links the Ramayana’s teaching to the Mahabharata by citing a teaching attributed to Vyasa that dharma should not be abandoned under any circumstances. The opinion uses this comparison to present a shared moral guidance: balancing life’s obligations with right conduct.