Bhakti Isn’t Passivity: Ramayana & Gita Both Demand Self-Responsibility

Question

I listen to many satsangs and different editions of the Gita—like ISKCON’s. I’ve noticed that bhakti is often presented in a way that makes duty and action secondary: “Depend on God; leave everything to God.” But in the Ramayana, God shows us to pick up the bow; in the Gita, Krishna tells us to fight the right war—to deal rightly with the wicked. All of that gets sidelined.
Valmiki’s Ramayana, however, tells us to become self-responsible—to learn to take responsibility instead of dumping it on others or blaming them for everything. It teaches us to establish Rama-rajya within, and to act.
If today the instruction is “purify the mind,” whose responsibility is that? Ours. Living in family and society, we’ll be triggered again and again. Someone says something—we must at once remind ourselves: “No, I have to keep my mind pure.” Let them say or do what they will; my responsibility is my inner state.
Just as the Gita puts us on the path of action, Valmiki’s Ramayana will also teach us, step by step, to do. Self-knowledge will not descend by itself; Rama will not descend within us by themselves—we have much to do.

Answer

Exactly. Bhakti is not an escape from responsibility; rightly understood, it strengthens responsibility. Valmiki’s Ramayana keeps bringing the focus back to your inner work—purifying the mind, watching your reactions, acting dharmically, and building Rama-rajya inside.
So when provoked, the practice is simple and practical: remember your commitment to a pure mind, refrain from tit-for-tat, and keep acting according to dharma. This is how Self-knowledge finds a worthy home and “Rama” truly descends within.