Ramayana

Ramayana is an epic written by Valmiki about Rama's life. It is an ancient Sanskrit epic of India, held in great reverence by the Hindus for its exploration of human existence on earth as well as for its literary value.

The work authored by the great sage Valmiki in the 3rd cent. B.C, has given way to a number of versions, the most esteemed of which are Tulsidas’s Ramcharitamanas, seeped in the Bhakti tradition wherein Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and which owes in significant part to ‘Adhyatma Ramayana.’ The Kamban Ramayana in Tamil is another popular version in South India but the story is modified. It is believed that the perusal or recitation of passages from the epic alone can set people on the path of soul purification and reduce their karmic burden.

Rama embodies the ‘Maryada Puroshottama’, the most evolved of men committed to the call of duty, and unwavering from the true path of ‘dharma’ and truth. Ramayana teaches human values through the journey of Rama, an ordinary human being who demonstrates outstanding fortitude, courage and tact, standing the test of time and virtue amidst extremely arduous circumstances to show the righteous path (dharma) for mankind to follow. Rama's life, thus, is exemplary and adheres to the rules of dharma through each decisive moment.

Deprived of his rightful succession to the throne and beguiled by his stepmother into an exile of fourteen years in the forest with his wife, Sita and brother, Lakshman, Ram discovers in the course of life in the forest that Sita has been held captive by Ravana, the ruler of Lanka through trickery. Set against what is seemingly an unequal opposition considering the might of Ravana’s forces, Ram steadfastly builds a monkey army with the aid of Hanuman and Sugriva, who help create a bridge to Lanka and resolutely fight a battle on the basis of personal strength and bring back Sita and returns to Aydohya.

While the all-pervasive theme of Ramayana is good triumphs over evil, the epic abounds in instances of brotherly love, respect for elders, devotion and loyalty and commitment to societal and moral duties. Some of the most poignant episodes relate to Bharata placing Ram’s sandals on the throne acknowledging Rama as the ruler, Jatayu’s (an enormous vulture) loyalty to Rama and death while protecting Sita, Sita going through the ordeal of 'Agnipariksha' to prove her chastity after coming from Lanka, her invocation of her mother Earth and the latter’s subsequent rising from a chasm to take her daughter along.

The Ramayana consists of 24,000 verse, and uses allegorical narrative to present the teachings, which are central to the Hindu way of life. The characters thus can be studied on a multi-level - Rama (piety and compassion), Sita (devotion to husband and the epitome of womanhood), Lakshman (brotherly love), Hanuman (dedication and loyalty) and Ravana (vices, malintention, and immorality). Besides, the novelty of technique in verses - anusthubh, the thirty-two syllable meter lent itself to Sanskrit poetry of later era in the form of sloka meter.

Ramayan Synopsis:

Rama was born as the son of King Dashrath and his wife Kaushalya. Dashrath was a Suryavanshi (Solar race) ruler from Ayodhya (in present day Uttar Pradesh, India). Rama married Sita through a Svayamvar, a competition organized by King Janak of Mithila, the father of Sita, to choose a worthy son in law. King Janak had been given a bow by Lord Shiva and h announced that anyone who could lift the bow and stretch its string could marry his daughter Sita. The only one who was able to do it was Rama, who stretched the string with such force that thebow broke into two parts.

When the time came for Rama to be announced as the King of Ayodhya, fate interfered through Manthara a maid servant of Rama's step-mother Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi wanted her son Bharat to be announced king and Rama sent to a Vanavaas (exile in a forest) for 14 years. Dashrath had no choice but to agree with reluctance as he had promised Kaikeyi two wishes a long time back when she had saved his life. This act was even against the wishes of Bharat who was totally dedicated to Rama and was outside Ayodhya when all this happened. Rama left for exile along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. When Bharat came back he refused to take a throne which was rightfully Rama's and went to call Rama back. Rama refused to go back before completing his father's orders (who has died by then) and Bharat took back Rama's slippers as token of his supremacy and put them at the foot of the throne.

In the forest Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana was attracted by Rama and insulted Sita, Lakshmana who could not control his rage chopped off Surpnakha's nose. This led to Ravana coming to take revenge against Rama. Rama was lured by Ravana's confidant Maricha in form of a deer and Lakshmana too was lured to the forest for Rama's protection. Ravana disguised as a Sadhu then kidnapped Sita and took her to Lanka.

As Rama and Lakshamana went out in search of Sita they found Sugriva who headed a monkey army. Rama won the loyalty of Sugriva and his army and on finding that Sita was abducted by Ravana, they went to invade Lanka. In the great battle Ravana along with his brothers (Indrajit and Kumbhkarna) and many soldiers were killed. A huge role was played by Lord Hanuman, a loyal servant of Bhagwaan Rama and a mighty warrior. Rama rescued Sita and returned to Ayodhya. Although Sita was not accepted by many in Ayodhya due to her having lived in Ravana's captivity for long, leading her to leave Ayodhya and live in the forest under the refuge of Sage Valmiki.

Full text translation of Ramayan can be found in attachment below: