The Tale of Rama & Bharata
Rama is the eldest son of King Dasarata and Queen Kausalya, while Bharata is the son of King Dasarata and Queen Kekayi, who is Rama’s stepmother. Despite having different mothers, Rama and Bharata share a close and loving bond, like siblings. They respect and care for each other, even though their different status and destinies will eventually separate them.
At one point, King Dasarata plans to crown Rama as the king of Ayodhya, replacing himself as he grows older. However, Queen Kekayi, Bharata’s mother, interrupts this plan with two requests that stem from a promise the king had made earlier. Kekayi asks for Rama to be exiled to the forest for 14 years and for Bharata to be made the new king.
Although deeply saddened, King Dasarata fulfills Kekayi’s request because of the promise he made. Rama, with steadfast determination and without resistance, agrees to leave his kingdom and go into exile, accompanied by his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. This decision devastates King Dasarata, who eventually dies from sorrow and regret.
After Rama leaves, Bharata, who is in a neighboring kingdom, learns that he has been chosen to replace Rama as the king. However, Bharata deeply loves Rama and feels unworthy of taking his brother’s place. He believes this is not his rightful destiny.
When Bharata returns to Ayodhya and learns of his mother’s orders, he is filled with anger and sadness. He regrets his mother’s decision and tries to persuade her to reverse it. However, Kekayi remains firm. Out of great respect for Rama and his sense of responsibility to the kingdom, Bharata decides to go to the forest and ask Rama to return to Ayodhya.
Bharata embarks on a journey to the forest to find Rama and begs him to return to lead the kingdom. He feels unworthy to rule in his brother’s place. When he reaches the forest, Bharata meets Rama, who patiently listens to his brother’s plea.
Despite Bharata’s desire for Rama to return, Rama firmly refuses to come back before his exile is over. He explains that he cannot break the promise made to their father, King Dasarata, even though it is difficult for him. Rama also reminds Bharata that he is the rightful king who must lead Ayodhya according to his destiny.
The Rāmāyana is an epic tale of heroism from India, composed by Valmiki, based on the story of Goddess Sita. Another major epic is the Mahābhārata. The Rāmāyana is also part of the Javanese literary tradition, existing in the form of the Kakawin Ramayana and its adaptations in modern Javanese, although not all are based on the Kakawin. In Java, the tradition of retelling the story of the Ramayana is often done using wayang (traditional Javanese puppetry).
Indonesia commemorates National Wayang Day every November 7th to appreciate the wayang arts, which are rich in meaning, values, and culture. As part of the cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, wayang remains a traditional form of entertainment for some communities. Wayang performances also convey deep moral messages and life ethics.
The story of Rama and Bharata is an important part of the Wayang Ramayana and is often performed in the traditional Wayang Kulit theater in Indonesia. The story of Rama and Bharata, The values in Rama’s story can be closely related to the principles of social entrepreneurship. For example, when Rama sacrifices his happiness for a larger duty—solving problems in the kingdom and saving his people—he embodies the spirit of social entrepreneurs who strive to contribute to solutions to social challenges, often at the cost of their time, energy, and resources. They aim to create a larger impact for society despite personal hardships.
Rama’s strong loyalty to his mission and goals also aligns with the commitment needed in social entrepreneurship. Just as Rama stays true to the promise he made to his father despite many temptations, social entrepreneurs must remain loyal to their mission, even when they face challenges or uncertainty. Loyalty to their social cause ensures a long-term, positive impact on the communities they serve.
Furthermore, Rama faces countless trials throughout his life, from exile to the loss of his father. His resilience and ability to stay strong in the face of adversity are highly relevant to social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurs often face failures or major challenges, but they must persevere and keep moving forward to create positive social change.
Rama also shows deep empathy for others, such as when he strives to rescue Sita from Rahwana’s grasp (this is told in another series of Ramayana) or when he invites his brother Lakshmana to join him on a difficult journey. In social entrepreneurship, empathy for those
being served is the foundation of every action. Social entrepreneurs focus on the needs and well-being of others and work to provide solutions that improve their quality of life.