Inspired by Lord Rama: Making Forgiveness Your Virtue

Have you ever been wronged by someone you trusted, only to hear the advice: “Just let it go and move on”? It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do — especially when the pain comes from someone close.

I’ve been there. I’ve felt the sting of betrayal and unfair treatment from people I once called friends or acquaintances. Their actions left me wondering: How could someone pretend to care while hurting me all along?

Having an eidetic memory made it even harder. Every time I saw those people, the vivid scenes would replay in my mind, sometimes on a relentless loop. The idea of forgiving them seemed impossible. Yet, as I’ve come to realize, forgiveness isn’t just about the other person — it’s about setting yourself free.

Recently, I stumbled upon a story from the life of Lord Rama that completely changed my perspective. Here’s what happened:

Rama was on the cusp of becoming the King of Ayodhya when, the day before his coronation, he was exiled to the forest for 14 years. This exile was orchestrated by his family member, Kaikeyi. Over time, Kaikeyi realized her mistake and sought forgiveness. Her plea reached Rama, and his response was nothing short of remarkable.

In his words:
हे अम्ब, तुम्हारा राम जानता है सब,
इस कारण वह कुछ खेद मानता है कब?
मैं वही राम, तुम वही केकयी मेरी।

This roughly translates to:
“Mother, your Rama understands everything. Knowing why you made that choice, I feel no resentment. I am still your Rama, and you are still my beloved Kaikeyi.”

His grace and humility left me in awe. Here was someone who had been wronged in ways most of us can’t imagine, yet he forgave with an open heart. It made me reflect on my own life: If Rama could forgive Kaikeyi, why couldn’t I let go of my own grievances?

Forgiveness, I realized, isn’t just about letting go — it’s a virtue. It’s a strength that allows us to rise above our hurt and embrace inner peace. Inspired by Lord Rama’s example, I decided to make forgiveness my resolution for the year.

This resolution has been transformative. Letting go of past hurts has given me clarity, peace, and a lighter heart. And now, I invite you to take up this virtue as well.

What would life look like if we all resolved to forgive this year? Would our relationships grow stronger? Would we find peace within ourselves?

Forgiveness isn’t just for the person who wronged you — it’s for yourself. It’s a way to reclaim your happiness and move forward. So, as we step into a new year, let’s challenge ourselves to embrace forgiveness with humility and live with lighter hearts. Let this be the year we choose peace over pain and virtue over resentment. Who knows? You might just inspire others to do the same.