Art of Counseling [मन्त्रण कला]
The Art of Living Sri Ramayan lecture by Professor Seshadri Ramkumar at the Hindu Temple of Lubbock continued on February 23, 2025.
A neem tree, even though nurtured with milk and honey, will not yield fruit as sweet as mango. How beautiful is this metaphor scribed by Valmiki.
Ramayana is a great text that gives lessons to each one of us on all aspects of living such as to how to counsel, engage with family members, etc. Like das has been benefitted by a saka (friend), each one would have come across many supporters—all these life instances enable us to rejoice in the great attributes of Lord Ram. Ramayan is a living text indeed!
As Ram convinces his father that he is determined to go to the forest, Valmiki introduces the conversation between Sumanthara, the minister, and Kaikeyi.
This conversation is a lesson for ministers to learn the Art of Counseling.
Kautilya in Arthasastra describes the qualities of minister such as to be a savior of master’s life, listening to a wise person no matter how young the other person (s) is!
How to be a minister? The answer is in Sumanthara!
How not be a wife? The answer is in Kaikeyi and her mother!