The Ramayana
In all of the epics we have read so far it seems that for each of the hero’s stories they were all referred to as the perfect hero within their own ways. Therefore I don’t find Rama any less interesting than any of the other hero’s, because he still has his own challenges and journeys to overtake just like the others. In order for Rama to be considered ‘The Perfect Man’ he must meet honoring the act of Dharma. Rama’s mother tried to persuade Rama into staying by telling him that if he leaves he will be breaking the act of Dharma. She informed him that to be devoted to Dharma he must stay. Kausalya was struggling to discipline her feelings and would say what she could to get her son to stay. But Rama was able to talk to her influence her into the right and honorable way to follow and act in Dharma. Rama’s heroic acts show in his attitude and actions. He accepts his exile with a calm spirit; he treats his enemies with kindness and grace and faces challenges with courage. In the act of these things he is respected strongly for valuing and acting in a honorable way of Dharma.
The Bhagavad-Gita
Arjuna was afraid to fight because he saw no righteousness from it. Krishna informs Arjuna that it is sinful not to act. She encourages him to act as a person who acts in a disciplined way such as a yogi, so that others will follow in his lead. Krishna ensures that if Arjuna acts his soul will be liberated from birth and death. Arjuna’s experience is much different from Acchiles in the Iliad. Arjuna’s wanted to withdraw from the war because he is trying to prevent Karma from entering his life, when Krishna informs him otherwise. Acchile’s withdraws from the war due to his own anger and selfishness. They both hold a certain amount of selfishness but Acchiles mostly out of anger; While Arjuna is trying to honor the act of Dharma. The story of Arjuna is a bit similar to The Offering of Isaac. Isaac was to offer his son for a sacrifice to God he was willing to do so out of righteousness. This too is found in Arjunas tale he wished to not fight in the war for it did not seem right while Krishna came to him and showed him the way. As did God to Isaac, God did not let Isaac kill his Son he was just seeing if Isaac would obey him and had faith in him.
I found that the hero’s in previous epics carried with them failings and personal issues such as ego and pride. Rama was not any less interesting because he did not seem to have these failings. The fact that he always strived to do right regardless of the challenges he faced made him seem more interesting to me. He did not in any way appear weak be leaving the crown and throne behind without a fight. In fact he appeared to be a stronger braver man for doing what was need to protect his father’s honor.
I agree with you on Arjuna’s comparison to the story of Isaac; in this case, Arjuna wasn’t sacrificing a first born son, but struggling with the certainty that kharma would get him if he killed in battle. So in a way, he was kind of sacrificing that certiainty to take a risk, even though Krishna is the one that told him to fight.