A DRIVING FORCE
Finding a contemporary counterpart of Rama is a tall order. Rama is an ideal figure - loyal, devoted, even-tempered, trained in all the arts of peace and war, and kind to all (Rosenberg 1996, p. 302). Such is the greatness and the excellence of Rama. There are many great figures in the contemporary world, but only few can match the magnitude of Rama's greatness. These personalities are one in a million. Out of these one in a million personalities, I choose Michael Schumacher.
Michael Schumacher is a seven times Formula One world champion. Like all the great drivers Schumacher has exceptional ambition, confidence, intelligence, motivation, dedication and determination. But few have combined these qualities to create such excellence and even fewer have been so excellent for so long. For Schumacher, his sheer enthusiasm for driving (he still goes karting for fun) is like a fountain of youth, his search for improvement never ends and his racing success drives him on (http://www.formula1.com/archive/halloffame/driver/7.html). He is considered by many as the greatest driver of all time (Kehm 2003, p 13).
Rama is considered to be the best of men (Rosenberg 1996, p. 301). Schumacher is considered by many to be the best in his generation. Rama possesses superior combat skills and fighting abilities while Schumacher possess shrewd racecraft and untouchable driving skills. Both men are not only prodigiously talented, but they also have great attitude and character as well.
Michael Schumacher can be compared to Rama not only because he has similar characteristics with Rama, but also because he has the characteristics of a Hindu hero. He can be considered as a modern day Hindu hero, and as a modern day Rama.
The Hindu hero should be loyal to the righteous behavior or dharma (Rosenberg 1996, p. 297). Rama is loyal to his dharma. He obeyed his father even if it meant relinquishing the throne and being a hermit (Rosenberg 1996, p. 305). Michael is loyal to his duty as a driver for the Scuderia Ferrari team and as the president of the Grand Prix Driver's Association. As a driver for his team, Michael works very hard to contribute to the team's success. He is very professional in the way he works with his mechanics and engineers (Kehm 2003, p. 43). He is also very professional in doing things that are not related to driving, such as promoting the products of the team's sponsors as well as doing public relations work for the team and its sponsors. As the president of the GPDA, he has religiously campaigned for safety improvement for the sake of his colleagues. As a Formula One world champion, he has used his influence to encourage and promote safe driving to motorists.
The Hindu hero is expected to remain devoted to duty (Rosenberg 1996, p. 297). Rama is devoted to his duty by staying as a hermit for 14 years and enduring the sufferings and endeavors that come. Michael is very much devoted to his duty. He is usually the first in the team to arrive at the race track (he arrives even before the car), and is the last to leave the race track (Kehm 1996, p. 45). He is known for "giving 110% at 100% of the time"(Kehm 1996, p. 43). He is known for his commitment in winning as well as for his work ethics. There was never an occassion where he complains about the work to be done (Kehm 1996. p. 43). Michael does more than driving the car fast, he also tests the car, he helps his engineers develop the car, he motivates his mechanics to do their best, he does public relations work for the team, and he sees to it that the team is united in one direction.
A Hindu hero is known for putting responsibilities to his subjects ahead of his personal life (Rosenberg 1996, p. 297). Rama displayed that when he left his wife because people in his kingdom doubted her virtues (Rosenberg 1996, p. 316). Michael sacrifices time for his family by performing his obligations for the team. Usually, the summer three week break is the time where Formula One drivers take a break and have a relaxation, but not Michael. Instead of spending quality time with his wife and children, Michael spends it by helping the team develop a winning car. There was even an occassion where Michael slept on the track garage because he was testing the car until night time (Kehm 2003, p. 57).
The Hindu hero is model for proper behavior among his subjects (Rosenberg 1996, p. 297). Rama was a model because of his devotion to his dharma. Michael is a model for proper behavior among his team. He is more than a driver for Ferrari, he is the leader as well. He is the heart and soul of Ferrari. He is known for his leadership by example. Because of his positive energy when performing the job at hand, the rest of the team gets to acquire that positive energy as well. His optimism, exuberance and work ethics are infectious. (Kehm 2003, p. 45). He does his job with such commitment and dedication. Because he gives full effort and focus in doing his job, his teammates get motivated to give full effort and focus to their job as well.
No Ferrari driver has worked harder for the team, nor has any been more appreciated than the man who has led the team to six successive Constructors' Championships. He leads by example, frequently visiting the factory at Maranello, talking to the personnel, thanking them, encouraging them, never criticising and inspiring everyone with his optimism, high energy level and huge work ethic. The team is devoted to the driver who often says he "loves" the Ferrari "family." (http://www.formula1.com/archive/halloffame/driver/7.html)
The Hindu hero honors the attitudes of his subjects and obey their wishes (Rosenberg 1996, p. 297). Rama did just that when he left his wife because people in his kingdom doubted her virtues. Michael honors the attitudes of his mechanics and engineers by being open to their suggestions, and by not putting the blaming finger on them when things go wrong. (Kehm 2003, p. 51). He obeys their wishes when he tries their suggestions about his driving technique and approach. He is open-minded enought and does not force his will on the team.
Both Michael Schumacher and Rama are exceptional figures. They are persons whom we witness once in a lifetime, at least in the case of Michael Schumacher. Excellence and greatness are bestowed upon them. Rama's legend will be told from generation to generation on how he defeated the evils of the world. Schumi, as Michael is called popularly, will be missed by many racing fans when the day comes that he would have to hang up his helmet. People will remember Schumi on how he ended Ferrari's 21 years of championship drought, and on how he led Ferrari to dominance that the sport has never seen - 5 consecutive driver titles, and 6 consecutve team titles. People will remember Michael Schumacher as the driver who dominated the sport like no other - 7 world championships, 91 races wins, and 68 poles and counting are almost improbable to be surpassed. Like the legend of Rama, the legend of Schumi will be told from generation to generation.
REFERENCES
Rosenberg, Donna. World Mythology: An Anthology of Great Myths and Epics Second Edition. National Textook Company: Illinois, 1996.
Kehm, Sabine. Michael Schumacher: Driving Force. Edsbury Press: London, 2003.
http://www.formula1.com/archive/halloffame/driver/7.html
