The ''Ramayana'' (Sanskrit: march (ayana) of Rama) is part of the Hinduism smriti, written by Valmiki (c.3000 BC). This epic of 24,000 verses tells of a Raghuvamsa prince, Rama of Ayodhya, whose wife Sita is abducted by the rakshasa, or demon, Ravana. The Ramayana had an important influence on later Sanskrit poetry, primarily through its establishment of the Sloka meter. But, like its epic cousin, the Mahabharata, the Ramayana is not just a grand epic. It contains the teachings of the ancient Hindu sages and presents them through allegory in narrative and the interspersion of philosophic and devotional discourse. The characters of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Hanuman and Ravana (the enemy of the story) are all fundamental to the grander cultural consciousness of India. The Ramayana contains seven ''kandas'' (chapters or books). ''The Cultural Heritage of India'', Vol. IV, "The Religions", The Ramakrishna Mission, Institute of Culture, says: :"The first and the last Books of the Ramayana are later additions. The bulk, consisting of Books II--VI, represents Rama as an ideal hero. In Books I and VII, however Rama is made an avatara or incarnation of Vishnu, and the epic poem is transformed into a Vaishnava text. The reference to the Greeks, Parthians, and Sakas show that these Books cannot be earlier than the second century B.C...." ==Timeline== The Ramayana is set in the Treta Yuga. Many interpret this as 3000 BC (based on astronomical data in the Ramayana). There are some who believe that it is even older. ==Synopsis== According to Hindu mythology, Rama is an ''Avatar'', an incarnation of Vishnu or God. The main purpose of his incarnation is to demonstrate the ideal human life on earth. Ultimately, Rama slays the rakshasa king Ravana and reestablishes the rule of religious and moral law on earth known in Hinduism as dharma. It has been said that Brahma promised Valmiki, so long as the mountains and seas endure, so long shall the Ramayana be read by men. ===Book I: ''Bala Kanda'' or ''The Book of the Youth''=== When King Dasaratha of Ayodhya performs a ''Putrakameshti Yajna'', the sacrifice for progeny, a divine being, ''purusha'', emerges from the holy fire and offers a pot of ''payasam'' milk sweet and instructs Dasaratha to distribute the dessert to his three wives, the Queens Kousalya,_Sumitra_and_Kaikeyi, in accordance with the status of each. However, there wasn't enough ''payasam'' for Sumitra, so Kausalya and Kaikeyi give portions of their dessert to her. As a result, Queen Kausalya gives birth to the oldest son, Rama. Bharatha is born to Queen Kaikeyi and the twins Lakshmana, and Shatrughna are born to Queen Sumitra. When the princes are young boys, the sage Vishwamitra visits King Dasaratha and asks him to send Rama and Lakshmana to protect him from demons who have been disturbing his sacrifice ritual. Reluctantly, King Dasaratha agrees, and Rama and Lakshmana are sent to live with Vishwamitra for the latter's protection. The brothers meet with many an adventure, and the sage trains them in the dharma, or path, of the prince-warrior. As the brothers fulfill their duties, the sage is pleased with them and bestows upon them various heavenly weapons. Toward the end of their stay with Vishwamitra, they receive an invitation to King Janaka's kingdom of Mithila on the occasion of his daughter Sita's Swayamvara, in which she will choose her future husband. A competition is held in which princes and heroes from numerous kingdoms vie to display their prowess and win her hand. For many years, the unwieldy divine bow Shiva Dhanush has been idle because no one was strong enough to lift it, and King Janaka challenges the suitors to bend and string it. After all the suitors fail, Rama succeeds in mastering the bow, not only effortlessly bending and stringing it, but also breaking it into two pieces. He wins the hand of Sita, and after a sumptuous wedding attended by the illustrious from both heaven and earth, he returns with her to Ayodhya. Sita is the incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi and, in her worldly form, becomes the ideal helpmate and consort to Rama. Together they live the life after which all persons on earth model their own. ===Book II: ''Ayodhya Kanda'' or ''The Book of Ayodhya''=== After some time, Dasaratha, feeling his advancing years, decides to abdicate and retire to the forest. He designates his first-born son Rama to succeed him as King of Ayodhya. Astrologers are consulted and a date is set for the coronation. Just before the fateful day, Kaikeyi, one of Dasaratha's three wives, falls under the influence of a malicious servant, Manthra, who awakens Kaikeyi's jealousy toward her co-wife, the mother of Rama. Kaikeyi goes before the king and demands to redeem the two boons he had granted her long ago after she saved his life in war by her expert charioteering. Exploiting this promise, which the helpless Dasaratha is honor-bound to fulfill, she asks for the two boons as follows: # Her own son, Bharata, should be crowned instead of Rama; # Rama should be exiled from the Kingdom for 14 years. ===Book III: ''Aranya Kanda'' or ''The Book of the Forest''=== Rama, being an obedient son, leaves for the jungle with Sita and Lakshmana, who in spite of repeated requests, decides to shun the kingdom and follow his older brother devoutly in his time of crisis. Meanwhile, Bharata returns to Ayodhya and, being also devoted to Rama, becomes furious with Kaikeyi for her malicious deeds committed in his absence. He travels to the forest and tries to persuade Rama to return to the kingdom and assume the throne. Rama politely refuses, saying that he is duty-bound to see that his father's promise is fulfilled. Reluctantly Bharata agrees to return to the kingdom, requesting Rama to present to him his sandals. He formally treats Rama's sandals as the reigning entity, and ascribes himself as the representative ruler of the rightful king Rama in his absence. Dasharatha meanwhile dies of sorrow from having to be separated from his son. The demoness Surpanakha, sister of the demon king Ravana, becomes enamored of the handsome Rama and tries to seduce him during his stay in the jungle. Rama, renowned for his practice of Ekapatnivrata, the vow to practice unassailable loyalty to one's wife, is unresponsive. But Rama's brother Lakshmana, infuriated by Surpanaka's act of willful lasciviousness, cuts off her nose. Surpanakha runs home crying to her brother Ravana. To avenge his sister's loss of nose, Ravana uses the demon Maricha to lure Rama and Lakshmana away, leaving Sita unguarded. At her moment of vulnerability, Ravana abducts Sita in his airborne vehicle, the Pushpaka Vimana. ===Book IV: ''Kishkindha Kanda'' or ''The Book of the Empire of Holy Monkeys''=== Rama searhing for Sita meets Sugriva who has been unjustly dethroned by Bali. Bali had also kidnapped Sugriva's wife. Sugriva's followers include Hanuman and Jambuvanta (wise bear). With Rama's help, Bali is slain and Sugriva is crowned king of Kishkindha and agrees to help Rama in his search for Sita. ===Book V: ''Sundara Kanda'' or ''The Book of Sundara (another name of Hanuman)''=== Sugriva sends his loyal follower Hanuman on a reconnaissance mission to discover the whereabouts of Sita. Hanuman flies to the island of Lanka, finds her, and returns to Rama with the news. Sundara Kanda not only deals with the Hanuman finding Sita (and subsequently informing Rama, but it has a lot to say about the behaviour of a man in difficult situations. Here, every step of Hanuman teaches us how to overcome our difficulties. Hanuman, with Rama and Lakshmana head South in search of Sita. On their way, they meet the vulture Jatayu, a devotee of Rama. Jatayu says that his brother Sampati and he, fought Ravana when they found him taking Sita to Lanka. Sampati lost his life and Jatayu lost his wings and was mortally wounded. Jatayu tells them that he saw Ravana heading towards Lanka. He then breathes his last in Rama's lap. The team head further south until they reach the Indian Ocean. However, they are unable to cross. The only person who has the ability to cross is Hanuman. However, due to a curse by rishis, Hanuman cannot remember his own strength unless he is reminded of it. Everyone encourages Hanuman, who finally remembers his strength. He then flies to Lanka to find Sita. Hanuman finds Sita imprisoned in Ravana's palace garden and assures her that help is on the way. He then proceeds to destroy Ravana's Asoka Grove. Ravana's demon soldiers rush in to capture him, and he then lets himself be captured by them. Viewed as a spy, Hanuman who has killed Ravana's younger son Aksa in battle, is delivered to Ravana for retribution. Impressed with Ravana's charm, nobility, heroism, and splendor, Hanuman notes the fact that Ravana is, however, "devoted to unrighteousness." Similarly struck by Hanuman's "majesty of appearance and strength," Ravana attempts to ascertain the purpose of Hanuman's visit and his reason for laying "Asoka-grove to waste." Proclaiming that he is a messenger for Sugreeva, Hanuman states that he acted in self defense and pleads with Ravana to restore Sita to Rama or to fall victim to Rama's wrath. Furious at hearing Hanuman's words, Ravana orders Hanuman's death. Vibhisana, Ravana's righteous brother, intervenes at this point and counsels Ravana to follow the scriptures. He reminds him that it is improper to execute a messenger, and instead tells him to exact the appropriate punishment for Hanuman's crime. Ravana appreciates the counsel and acceptes it. He chooses, instead, to order his demons to set fire to Hanuman's tail in an effort to show that such mischief is intolerable. Enduring the punishment, Hanuman seizes the opportunity to observe Lanka during the day in an effort to gather military information for the future. Hanuman is "intrigued" that the fire does not burn or hurt him and concludes that it is Sita's grace and Rama's glory that prevent injury to him. Hanuman frees himself from his bonds, and with his tail ablaze, flies around Lanka, destroying the town. After which, he returns to Rama with news about Sita. ===Book VI: ''Yuddha Kanda'' or ''The Book of War''=== Rama, overjoyed at the news of the welfare of Sita, sends a peacekeeping mission, which Ravana rejects. Rama prepares for war and, ably helped by his Vanara army, builds a bridge across the water. Having reached Lanka, Rama is left with the choice of slaying Ravana, which he does to get back his wife Sita. Rama, in an act which is often debated for the ethical aspects, asks Sita to prove her celibacy through a test by fire. Sita passes the test successfully and is reunited with Rama. Rama, having finished the fourteen years in exile, gets back to Ayodhya and assumes the throne from Bharata and rules his kingdom with rigor and ensures justice for all his subjects. This period is often called Ram Rajya ''(The reign of Rama)'', a phrase often used in modern Indian society, as a metaphor for the ideal rule of law. ===Book VII: ''Uttara Kanda'' or ''The Book Beyond''=== The Uttarakanda is the most controversial book, as it contains the story of Rama banishing Sita from Ayodhya, and of his beheading a shudra named Shambuka for performing religious worship not appropriate for his varna (caste). To many, both these actions seem to detract from Rama's reputation as a model of ideal conduct: when he banished Sita in spite of her innocence, merely because the people were gossiping, he is said to have preferred falsehood to truth; and by attacking Shambuka in a state of helplessness (i.e. while he was meditating), Rama violated the Kshatriya code of honour. Significantly, these episodes are not found in any early version of Rama story. The Mahabharata, the Harivamsha, and the Vayu, Brahmanda, Kurma, Garuda and Vishnu Puranas all give more or less detailed versions of the story, but none of them mention either the banishment of Sita, or the slaying of Shambuka. Some consider the entire Uttara Kanda to be an addition, not written by Valmiki. ==Lessons from the Ramayana== Ramayana illustrates * Dharma in the form of Rama, who is the personification of this Hindu concept of duty and harmony. * an ideal son, an ideal king and ideal husband through Rama. * an ideal wife through Sita. * an ideal brother through Lakshmana and Bharata (another half-brother of Rama). * an ideal unassuming and loving devotee through Hanuman. * The dangers of lust and ego as seen in Ravana. In addition, Ramayana also has the following morals which are not readily apparent * Think well before promising something. This is exemplified in the suffering of King Dasaratha which was born out of his promise to Kaikeyi. * Keep promises no matter how hard it may be. King Dasaratha kept his promise to Kaikeyi inspite of her demands being very unfair and painful. * Willingness to forgive even one's worst offenders, if the offender atones for his/her misdeeds. In Ramayana's context, the offensive deed was done by Ravana in coveting Rama's wife and kidnapping her. Yet Rama had the compassion to forgive Ravana if he simply returned Sita. * Violence (war) is the last resort. All through, Rama only asked Ravana to return Sita to him and only when all attempts failed did he resort to war and slay Ravana. Thus Ramayana has established a code of conduct which is widely considered by Hindus to be the benchmark for posterity. == Literary works inspired by the Ramayana == Valmiki's Ramayana inspired the ''Sri Ramacharit Manas'' by Tulasidas, an epic Hindi version with a slant more grounded in a different realm of Hindu literature, that of bhakti. It is an acknowledged masterpiece of India. A similar work was done by Kambar as Kambaramayanam in Tamil language. More modern ones include ''Shri Ramayana Darshanam'' by Dr.K.V.Puttappa in Kannada and ''Ramayana Kalpavrikshamu'' by Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu, both of which have been awarded the Jnanpith Award. Many other Asian cultures have adapted the Ramayana, resulting in other national epics. These include the Kakawin Ramayana of Java (island), Indonesia, Ramakien of Thailand, to be witnessed in elaborate illustration at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok, the Ream Ker of Cambodia, and the Pra Lak Pra Lam of Laos. ==Historical evidence== Though it is believed that Ramayana is just an epic, there are many who believe that it has a historical basis. ===Sugriva's cave of Hampi=== Hampi, one of the UNESCO cultural heritage site, is home for natural caves. Amongst the ruins of the Vijayanagara empire, is a cave known as Sugriva's Cave. The cave is marked by coloured markings. The place holds its similiarity to the descriptions of 'kishkinda' in Sundarakanda. Rama is said to have met Hanuman here. The place is also home to the famous Hazararama temple (Temple of a thousand Ramas). ==See also== Mahabharata, epic poetry, Golden age, millennialism ==External links== * [http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/texts/ramayana.htm Fast Facts on the Ramayana] * [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/index.htm Valmiki Ramayana translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1870-1874)] * [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/dutt/index.htm Abridged Ramayana and Mahabharata by R.C. Dutt (1899)] * [http://www.valmikiramayan.net/ Site with Valmiki Ramayana Text with Meaning] * [http://www.onlinedarshan.com/ramayana/index.htm Online Ramayana] * [http://www.askasia.org/adult%5Ffree%5Fzone/virtual%5Fgallery/exhibitions/index.htm Amar Chitra Katha: Valmiki's Ramayana] Comic verision * [http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/scripts/sseop/photo.pl?mission=STS033&roll=74&frame=74 NASA Shuttle image of Palk Strait] Hindu texts Ramayana epic hi:रामायण ms:Ramayana ta:இராமாயணம்
I am removing the spoiler warning. It seems out of place while describing an epic, a religious one at that. It makes as much sense as adding a spoiler alert in Bible User:Chancemill 10:18, Dec 9, 2003 (UTC) == The last books == I doubt that the last books of the R. are "later additions". I realize that this is the "official" opinion, as since the 19th century, Sitas's fate as a sati is considered "politically incorrect". Still, I don't see any valid arguments to assume a later addition for that. If there are some, they should be added. Nick The NASA images DO NOT reveal the shoals of land to be man-made. This was fabricated in someone's imagination and passed on. == Rrjanbiah and Ramayana spin-offs == "Interesting slants on the epic have been created that view the Ramayana from the eyes of the ''asura'' king of Sri Lanka, Ravana, and his clan. Dravidian Tamil books such as the Ravanakaviyam and Kambarasam are the oldest of this genre. A more recent reprisal of this theme, curiously analagous to Virgil's ''Aeneid'' in relation to the ''Iliad and Odyssey'', was created by the famed Bengali writer Michael Madhusudan Dutta, who rendered what he appelled the ''Meghnadh Bodh Kobbo'' (Tale of the Death of Meghnadh) in Bengali epic poetic form. Of course, all these texts share a similar opposition to the traditional hero-role of Lord Rama." Note, my friend, that it's clearly stated here that these books all "share a similar opposition to the traditional hero-role of Lord Rama" and that they "view the Ramayana from the eyes of the ''asura'' king of Sri Lanka." I don't know why you're getting so upset. I merely excised your sentence which says that the books "slant" the Ramayana. There is no such verb, in the English language, as "to slant" where the meaning is to run in opposition to. I hope you're not being petty with me because of other disagreements in other pages, since no one's arguing the idea that the Tamil and later Bengali stories are counter to the conventional spins of the story. No one's changed the content, given misinformation or done anything of the sort. I mean, both sentences above are mine! --User:LordSuryaofShropshire 19:05, Aug 28, 2004 (UTC) :The major problem is that you don't know anything about the subject, but you _presume_ certain ideas and pushing here. I guess, you didn't read Kambarasam page (where I left *at least* few ideas about the book). Ravanakaviyam and Kambarasam are not oldest. Kambarasam was criticising the dirty/illicit/obscene character of Rama. Ravanakaviyam characterize Rama as villan and Ravana as hero; it glorifies Ravana's characters (good characters) and etc. --User:Rrjanbiah 04:51, 30 Aug 2004 (UTC) :: YES! I KNOW! THat's why I've written that! I said that they go against the traditional grain of Rama as a hero and glorify Ravana's side! How am I disagreeing with you? I'm not! I simply corrected some grammar and left explanation clear!--User:LordSuryaofShropshire 15:40, Aug 30, 2004 (UTC) :You KNOW, but the your edit is *still* WRONG. If you *really* KNOW what Ravanakaviyam and Kambarasam is, you would have fixed it. --User:Rrjanbiah 04:39, 31 Aug 2004 (UTC) Jesus Christ! There's no difference between what I'm saying and what you're saying. You can't even point to anything! You just disagree for the sake of disagreeing. I'm not talking to you anymore. You're not a reasonable individual. --User:LordSuryaofShropshire 16:03, Aug 31, 2004 (UTC) :I guess, it is time for me to plonk you. Perhaps you should find a place other than Wikipedia to add your "fictions" and your "KNOWN" ideas. I'd thought that you're a Hindu Osama, but your jugglery shows you're a Christian terrorist. *thread plonk* --User:Rrjanbiah 05:34, 1 Sep 2004 (UTC) == Ramayana == I came across this site which had collection of good links on ramayana. I wanted to suggest one more link which mainly concentrates on webcasting Ramayana, Geeta(weekly) and other philosophical discourses in Kannada. Here is the link: Ramayana: http://www.vyasamadhwa.org/sundarakanda.htm Sundarakanda: Sundara Kaanda is the heart of Raamaayana. It is the story of Hanumantha, who is the personification of the highest form of Jnaana, Bhakti and Vairaagya. These three attributes when blessed by the Lord will make one, lead a purposeful life in this world and attain Moksha thereafter. Hanumantha is the ultimate symbol of efficiency and optimisation. No act or word of his is either superfluous or deficient. He is the perfect role model for all of us to emulate. If we do, all our apparently imponderable problems will wither away. It will cleanse our mindset of greed, jealousy and anger leaving us free to lead a successful life as useful members of society. Geeta(weekly): http://www.vyasamadhwa.org/recital.htm Geeta (Archived earlier discourses) http://www.vyasamadhwa.org/archive.htm Hope it will be useful for people who want to know more about Ramayana and Mahabharata, == demise of Book 4 == The Empire of the Holy Monkeys was removed in December - is this because of conflicts between translations, or was it an accident? Both the introduction and the Valmiki Ramayana indicate it was grouped in 7 books. :Don't know why it was removed, but it should be there. I have restored it. —User:Lowellian (User talk:Lowellian) 08:29, Apr 19, 2005 (UTC) == Ramayana and History == I've started a section called "Historical evidence" that records the various archeological reveals that point to the historical significance of Ramayana. All those of you from different parts of India, please add the points from your nearest ancient city, with pictures of archeoloical/religious monuments that are said to be related to that. --User:Hpnadig 03:27, 14 Feb 2005 (UTC) ==Rama's bridge== While the section on this island chain says that it was discovered by NASA, I'm quite certain that the chain was known before, and I'm reasonably sure but not certain that it is marked by the name 'Adam's bridge' on older, pre space-age maps. NASA probably used an old British name. In the present context, it would make sense to name it Rama's bridge. User:Imc 19:52, 17 Feb 2005 (UTC) : I have removed the section. It's a hoax. (Sources [http://www.punjabilok.com/science/nasa_debunks.htm here] and [http://www.laputanlogic.com/articles/2002/11/03-83975630.html here]). The original claim itself is preposterous. It claims that the bridge is 1.75 millions years old. Human ancestors only evolved approximately 2 million years ago and Homo Sapiens most definitely haven't been around for 1.75 million years. വിവിന്_പാലിയത്)">User:Vivin 23:54, 7 Mar 2005 (UTC) :: I guess you're just bowing out for factoids instead of looking at the NASA image. There's no official technical/scientific document as mentioned in the article pointed by you, that suggests the bridge didn't exist. There might be varied opinion about its age, but one has to take into account that besides theories, even the exact dates of Ramayana are also unknown. ::: I wrote that Laputan Logic article back in 2002. These kinds of structures are created by ocean currents and are not all that rare. As for the purported age of 1.75 million years, I think it's worth pointing out that, geologically speaking, India and Sri Lanka were a single piece of land only 18,000 years ago. ::: [http://www13.brinkster.com/tormel/images/photos/bridge/Bridge6.jpeg Here]is the famous image which I believe was actually taken in 1996 and this is what the Encyclopedia Britannica had to say about it back in [http://43.1911encyclopedia.org/A/AD/ADAM_S_BRIDGE_REEF_.htm 1911]: ::: "ADAM'S BRIDGE, or RAMA'S BRIDGE, a chain of sandbanks extending from the island of Manaar, near the N.W. coast of Ceylon to the island of Rameswaram, off the Indian coast, and lying between the Gulf of Manaar on the S.W. and Palk Strait on the N.E. It is more than 30 m. long and offers a serious impediment to navigation. Some of the sandbanks are dry; and no part of the shoal has a greater depth than 3 or 4 ft. at high water, except three tortuous and intricate channels which have recently been dredged to a sufficient depth to admit the passage of vessels, so as to obviate the long journey round the island of Ceylon which was previously necessary. Geological evidence shows that this gap was once bridged by a continuous isthmus which according to the temple records was breached by a violent storm in 1480. Operations for removing the obstacles in the channel and for deepening and widening it were begun as long ago as 1838. A service of the British India Steam Navigation Company's steamers has been established between Negapatam and Colombo through Palk Strait and this narrow passage." ::: Speaking of "factoids" this whole thing was a creation of the Indian news media. The oldest version of this story still online is [http://www.vnn.org/world/WD0210/WD07-7592.html here] although I know it was lifted from the *religious section* of [http://www.indolink.com/Religion/ another site]. A few more images of the sandbar [http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/scripts/sseop/photo.pl?mission=STS059&roll=231&frame=71 here] and [http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/scripts/sseop/photo.pl?mission=STS033&roll=74&frame=74 here]. User:John Hardy 23:09, 16 May 2005 (AET) :::: There is no place for the natural causeway under "Historical Evidence". The Ramayana states that the bridge was actually built. How could a Natural Causeway be evidence of that? We could perhaps hypothesize that there used to be a land bridge between India and Sri Lanka, which Rama and the Vanara Army could have used. --വിവിന്_പാലിയത്)">User:Vivin 20:48, 16 May 2005 (UTC) == Spelling of Vali or Bali == I believe the standard spelling for the name of Sugreeva's brother is Vali, not "Bali", as in the article. The Sanskrit text in Devanagari uses the semivowel 'va' and not the labial 'ba'.
See other meanings of words starting from letter:
Words begining with Ramayana:
Ramayana
Ramayana
Ramayanam
Ramayana_epic
Ramayana_Monkey_Chant
Ramayana
The ''Ramayana'' (Sanskrit: march (ayana) of Rama) is part of the Hinduism smriti, written by Valmiki (c.3000 BC). This epic of 24,000 verses tells of a Raghuvamsa prince, Rama of Ayodhya, whose wife Sita is abducted by the rakshasa, or demon, Ravana. The Ramayana had an important influence on later Sanskrit poetry, primarily through its establishment of the Sloka meter. But, like its epic cousin, the Mahabharata, the Ramayana is not just a grand epic. It contains the teachings of the ancient Hindu sages and presents them through allegory in narrative and the interspersion of philosophic and devotional discourse. The characters of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Hanuman and Ravana (the enemy of the story) are all fundamental to the grander cultural consciousness of India. The Ramayana contains seven ''kandas'' (chapters or books). ''The Cultural Heritage of India'', Vol. IV, "The Religions", The Ramakrishna Mission, Institute of Culture, says: :"The first and the last Books of the Ramayana are later additions. The bulk, consisting of Books II--VI, represents Rama as an ideal hero. In Books I and VII, however Rama is made an avatara or incarnation of Vishnu, and the epic poem is transformed into a Vaishnava text. The reference to the Greeks, Parthians, and Sakas show that these Books cannot be earlier than the second century B.C...." ==Timeline== The Ramayana is set in the Treta Yuga. Many interpret this as 3000 BC (based on astronomical data in the Ramayana). There are some who believe that it is even older. ==Synopsis== According to Hindu mythology, Rama is an ''Avatar'', an incarnation of Vishnu or God. The main purpose of his incarnation is to demonstrate the ideal human life on earth. Ultimately, Rama slays the rakshasa king Ravana and reestablishes the rule of religious and moral law on earth known in Hinduism as dharma. It has been said that Brahma promised Valmiki, so long as the mountains and seas endure, so long shall the Ramayana be read by men. ===Book I: ''Bala Kanda'' or ''The Book of the Youth''=== When King Dasaratha of Ayodhya performs a ''Putrakameshti Yajna'', the sacrifice for progeny, a divine being, ''purusha'', emerges from the holy fire and offers a pot of ''payasam'' milk sweet and instructs Dasaratha to distribute the dessert to his three wives, the Queens Kousalya,_Sumitra_and_Kaikeyi, in accordance with the status of each. However, there wasn't enough ''payasam'' for Sumitra, so Kausalya and Kaikeyi give portions of their dessert to her. As a result, Queen Kausalya gives birth to the oldest son, Rama. Bharatha is born to Queen Kaikeyi and the twins Lakshmana, and Shatrughna are born to Queen Sumitra. When the princes are young boys, the sage Vishwamitra visits King Dasaratha and asks him to send Rama and Lakshmana to protect him from demons who have been disturbing his sacrifice ritual. Reluctantly, King Dasaratha agrees, and Rama and Lakshmana are sent to live with Vishwamitra for the latter's protection. The brothers meet with many an adventure, and the sage trains them in the dharma, or path, of the prince-warrior. As the brothers fulfill their duties, the sage is pleased with them and bestows upon them various heavenly weapons. Toward the end of their stay with Vishwamitra, they receive an invitation to King Janaka's kingdom of Mithila on the occasion of his daughter Sita's Swayamvara, in which she will choose her future husband. A competition is held in which princes and heroes from numerous kingdoms vie to display their prowess and win her hand. For many years, the unwieldy divine bow Shiva Dhanush has been idle because no one was strong enough to lift it, and King Janaka challenges the suitors to bend and string it. After all the suitors fail, Rama succeeds in mastering the bow, not only effortlessly bending and stringing it, but also breaking it into two pieces. He wins the hand of Sita, and after a sumptuous wedding attended by the illustrious from both heaven and earth, he returns with her to Ayodhya. Sita is the incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi and, in her worldly form, becomes the ideal helpmate and consort to Rama. Together they live the life after which all persons on earth model their own. ===Book II: ''Ayodhya Kanda'' or ''The Book of Ayodhya''=== After some time, Dasaratha, feeling his advancing years, decides to abdicate and retire to the forest. He designates his first-born son Rama to succeed him as King of Ayodhya. Astrologers are consulted and a date is set for the coronation. Just before the fateful day, Kaikeyi, one of Dasaratha's three wives, falls under the influence of a malicious servant, Manthra, who awakens Kaikeyi's jealousy toward her co-wife, the mother of Rama. Kaikeyi goes before the king and demands to redeem the two boons he had granted her long ago after she saved his life in war by her expert charioteering. Exploiting this promise, which the helpless Dasaratha is honor-bound to fulfill, she asks for the two boons as follows: # Her own son, Bharata, should be crowned instead of Rama; # Rama should be exiled from the Kingdom for 14 years. ===Book III: ''Aranya Kanda'' or ''The Book of the Forest''=== Rama, being an obedient son, leaves for the jungle with Sita and Lakshmana, who in spite of repeated requests, decides to shun the kingdom and follow his older brother devoutly in his time of crisis. Meanwhile, Bharata returns to Ayodhya and, being also devoted to Rama, becomes furious with Kaikeyi for her malicious deeds committed in his absence. He travels to the forest and tries to persuade Rama to return to the kingdom and assume the throne. Rama politely refuses, saying that he is duty-bound to see that his father's promise is fulfilled. Reluctantly Bharata agrees to return to the kingdom, requesting Rama to present to him his sandals. He formally treats Rama's sandals as the reigning entity, and ascribes himself as the representative ruler of the rightful king Rama in his absence. Dasharatha meanwhile dies of sorrow from having to be separated from his son. The demoness Surpanakha, sister of the demon king Ravana, becomes enamored of the handsome Rama and tries to seduce him during his stay in the jungle. Rama, renowned for his practice of Ekapatnivrata, the vow to practice unassailable loyalty to one's wife, is unresponsive. But Rama's brother Lakshmana, infuriated by Surpanaka's act of willful lasciviousness, cuts off her nose. Surpanakha runs home crying to her brother Ravana. To avenge his sister's loss of nose, Ravana uses the demon Maricha to lure Rama and Lakshmana away, leaving Sita unguarded. At her moment of vulnerability, Ravana abducts Sita in his airborne vehicle, the Pushpaka Vimana. ===Book IV: ''Kishkindha Kanda'' or ''The Book of the Empire of Holy Monkeys''=== Rama searhing for Sita meets Sugriva who has been unjustly dethroned by Bali. Bali had also kidnapped Sugriva's wife. Sugriva's followers include Hanuman and Jambuvanta (wise bear). With Rama's help, Bali is slain and Sugriva is crowned king of Kishkindha and agrees to help Rama in his search for Sita. ===Book V: ''Sundara Kanda'' or ''The Book of Sundara (another name of Hanuman)''=== Sugriva sends his loyal follower Hanuman on a reconnaissance mission to discover the whereabouts of Sita. Hanuman flies to the island of Lanka, finds her, and returns to Rama with the news. Sundara Kanda not only deals with the Hanuman finding Sita (and subsequently informing Rama, but it has a lot to say about the behaviour of a man in difficult situations. Here, every step of Hanuman teaches us how to overcome our difficulties. Hanuman, with Rama and Lakshmana head South in search of Sita. On their way, they meet the vulture Jatayu, a devotee of Rama. Jatayu says that his brother Sampati and he, fought Ravana when they found him taking Sita to Lanka. Sampati lost his life and Jatayu lost his wings and was mortally wounded. Jatayu tells them that he saw Ravana heading towards Lanka. He then breathes his last in Rama's lap. The team head further south until they reach the Indian Ocean. However, they are unable to cross. The only person who has the ability to cross is Hanuman. However, due to a curse by rishis, Hanuman cannot remember his own strength unless he is reminded of it. Everyone encourages Hanuman, who finally remembers his strength. He then flies to Lanka to find Sita. Hanuman finds Sita imprisoned in Ravana's palace garden and assures her that help is on the way. He then proceeds to destroy Ravana's Asoka Grove. Ravana's demon soldiers rush in to capture him, and he then lets himself be captured by them. Viewed as a spy, Hanuman who has killed Ravana's younger son Aksa in battle, is delivered to Ravana for retribution. Impressed with Ravana's charm, nobility, heroism, and splendor, Hanuman notes the fact that Ravana is, however, "devoted to unrighteousness." Similarly struck by Hanuman's "majesty of appearance and strength," Ravana attempts to ascertain the purpose of Hanuman's visit and his reason for laying "Asoka-grove to waste." Proclaiming that he is a messenger for Sugreeva, Hanuman states that he acted in self defense and pleads with Ravana to restore Sita to Rama or to fall victim to Rama's wrath. Furious at hearing Hanuman's words, Ravana orders Hanuman's death. Vibhisana, Ravana's righteous brother, intervenes at this point and counsels Ravana to follow the scriptures. He reminds him that it is improper to execute a messenger, and instead tells him to exact the appropriate punishment for Hanuman's crime. Ravana appreciates the counsel and acceptes it. He chooses, instead, to order his demons to set fire to Hanuman's tail in an effort to show that such mischief is intolerable. Enduring the punishment, Hanuman seizes the opportunity to observe Lanka during the day in an effort to gather military information for the future. Hanuman is "intrigued" that the fire does not burn or hurt him and concludes that it is Sita's grace and Rama's glory that prevent injury to him. Hanuman frees himself from his bonds, and with his tail ablaze, flies around Lanka, destroying the town. After which, he returns to Rama with news about Sita. ===Book VI: ''Yuddha Kanda'' or ''The Book of War''=== Rama, overjoyed at the news of the welfare of Sita, sends a peacekeeping mission, which Ravana rejects. Rama prepares for war and, ably helped by his Vanara army, builds a bridge across the water. Having reached Lanka, Rama is left with the choice of slaying Ravana, which he does to get back his wife Sita. Rama, in an act which is often debated for the ethical aspects, asks Sita to prove her celibacy through a test by fire. Sita passes the test successfully and is reunited with Rama. Rama, having finished the fourteen years in exile, gets back to Ayodhya and assumes the throne from Bharata and rules his kingdom with rigor and ensures justice for all his subjects. This period is often called Ram Rajya ''(The reign of Rama)'', a phrase often used in modern Indian society, as a metaphor for the ideal rule of law. ===Book VII: ''Uttara Kanda'' or ''The Book Beyond''=== The Uttarakanda is the most controversial book, as it contains the story of Rama banishing Sita from Ayodhya, and of his beheading a shudra named Shambuka for performing religious worship not appropriate for his varna (caste). To many, both these actions seem to detract from Rama's reputation as a model of ideal conduct: when he banished Sita in spite of her innocence, merely because the people were gossiping, he is said to have preferred falsehood to truth; and by attacking Shambuka in a state of helplessness (i.e. while he was meditating), Rama violated the Kshatriya code of honour. Significantly, these episodes are not found in any early version of Rama story. The Mahabharata, the Harivamsha, and the Vayu, Brahmanda, Kurma, Garuda and Vishnu Puranas all give more or less detailed versions of the story, but none of them mention either the banishment of Sita, or the slaying of Shambuka. Some consider the entire Uttara Kanda to be an addition, not written by Valmiki. ==Lessons from the Ramayana== Ramayana illustrates * Dharma in the form of Rama, who is the personification of this Hindu concept of duty and harmony. * an ideal son, an ideal king and ideal husband through Rama. * an ideal wife through Sita. * an ideal brother through Lakshmana and Bharata (another half-brother of Rama). * an ideal unassuming and loving devotee through Hanuman. * The dangers of lust and ego as seen in Ravana. In addition, Ramayana also has the following morals which are not readily apparent * Think well before promising something. This is exemplified in the suffering of King Dasaratha which was born out of his promise to Kaikeyi. * Keep promises no matter how hard it may be. King Dasaratha kept his promise to Kaikeyi inspite of her demands being very unfair and painful. * Willingness to forgive even one's worst offenders, if the offender atones for his/her misdeeds. In Ramayana's context, the offensive deed was done by Ravana in coveting Rama's wife and kidnapping her. Yet Rama had the compassion to forgive Ravana if he simply returned Sita. * Violence (war) is the last resort. All through, Rama only asked Ravana to return Sita to him and only when all attempts failed did he resort to war and slay Ravana. Thus Ramayana has established a code of conduct which is widely considered by Hindus to be the benchmark for posterity. == Literary works inspired by the Ramayana == Valmiki's Ramayana inspired the ''Sri Ramacharit Manas'' by Tulasidas, an epic Hindi version with a slant more grounded in a different realm of Hindu literature, that of bhakti. It is an acknowledged masterpiece of India. A similar work was done by Kambar as Kambaramayanam in Tamil language. More modern ones include ''Shri Ramayana Darshanam'' by Dr.K.V.Puttappa in Kannada and ''Ramayana Kalpavrikshamu'' by Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu, both of which have been awarded the Jnanpith Award. Many other Asian cultures have adapted the Ramayana, resulting in other national epics. These include the Kakawin Ramayana of Java (island), Indonesia, Ramakien of Thailand, to be witnessed in elaborate illustration at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok, the Ream Ker of Cambodia, and the Pra Lak Pra Lam of Laos. ==Historical evidence== Though it is believed that Ramayana is just an epic, there are many who believe that it has a historical basis. ===Sugriva's cave of Hampi=== Hampi, one of the UNESCO cultural heritage site, is home for natural caves. Amongst the ruins of the Vijayanagara empire, is a cave known as Sugriva's Cave. The cave is marked by coloured markings. The place holds its similiarity to the descriptions of 'kishkinda' in Sundarakanda. Rama is said to have met Hanuman here. The place is also home to the famous Hazararama temple (Temple of a thousand Ramas). ==See also== Mahabharata, epic poetry, Golden age, millennialism ==External links== * [http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/texts/ramayana.htm Fast Facts on the Ramayana] * [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/index.htm Valmiki Ramayana translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1870-1874)] * [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/dutt/index.htm Abridged Ramayana and Mahabharata by R.C. Dutt (1899)] * [http://www.valmikiramayan.net/ Site with Valmiki Ramayana Text with Meaning] * [http://www.onlinedarshan.com/ramayana/index.htm Online Ramayana] * [http://www.askasia.org/adult%5Ffree%5Fzone/virtual%5Fgallery/exhibitions/index.htm Amar Chitra Katha: Valmiki's Ramayana] Comic verision * [http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/scripts/sseop/photo.pl?mission=STS033&roll=74&frame=74 NASA Shuttle image of Palk Strait] Hindu texts Ramayana epic hi:रामायण ms:Ramayana ta:இராமாயணம்
Ramayana
I am removing the spoiler warning. It seems out of place while describing an epic, a religious one at that. It makes as much sense as adding a spoiler alert in Bible User:Chancemill 10:18, Dec 9, 2003 (UTC) == The last books == I doubt that the last books of the R. are "later additions". I realize that this is the "official" opinion, as since the 19th century, Sitas's fate as a sati is considered "politically incorrect". Still, I don't see any valid arguments to assume a later addition for that. If there are some, they should be added. Nick The NASA images DO NOT reveal the shoals of land to be man-made. This was fabricated in someone's imagination and passed on. == Rrjanbiah and Ramayana spin-offs == "Interesting slants on the epic have been created that view the Ramayana from the eyes of the ''asura'' king of Sri Lanka, Ravana, and his clan. Dravidian Tamil books such as the Ravanakaviyam and Kambarasam are the oldest of this genre. A more recent reprisal of this theme, curiously analagous to Virgil's ''Aeneid'' in relation to the ''Iliad and Odyssey'', was created by the famed Bengali writer Michael Madhusudan Dutta, who rendered what he appelled the ''Meghnadh Bodh Kobbo'' (Tale of the Death of Meghnadh) in Bengali epic poetic form. Of course, all these texts share a similar opposition to the traditional hero-role of Lord Rama." Note, my friend, that it's clearly stated here that these books all "share a similar opposition to the traditional hero-role of Lord Rama" and that they "view the Ramayana from the eyes of the ''asura'' king of Sri Lanka." I don't know why you're getting so upset. I merely excised your sentence which says that the books "slant" the Ramayana. There is no such verb, in the English language, as "to slant" where the meaning is to run in opposition to. I hope you're not being petty with me because of other disagreements in other pages, since no one's arguing the idea that the Tamil and later Bengali stories are counter to the conventional spins of the story. No one's changed the content, given misinformation or done anything of the sort. I mean, both sentences above are mine! --User:LordSuryaofShropshire 19:05, Aug 28, 2004 (UTC) :The major problem is that you don't know anything about the subject, but you _presume_ certain ideas and pushing here. I guess, you didn't read Kambarasam page (where I left *at least* few ideas about the book). Ravanakaviyam and Kambarasam are not oldest. Kambarasam was criticising the dirty/illicit/obscene character of Rama. Ravanakaviyam characterize Rama as villan and Ravana as hero; it glorifies Ravana's characters (good characters) and etc. --User:Rrjanbiah 04:51, 30 Aug 2004 (UTC) :: YES! I KNOW! THat's why I've written that! I said that they go against the traditional grain of Rama as a hero and glorify Ravana's side! How am I disagreeing with you? I'm not! I simply corrected some grammar and left explanation clear!--User:LordSuryaofShropshire 15:40, Aug 30, 2004 (UTC) :You KNOW, but the your edit is *still* WRONG. If you *really* KNOW what Ravanakaviyam and Kambarasam is, you would have fixed it. --User:Rrjanbiah 04:39, 31 Aug 2004 (UTC) Jesus Christ! There's no difference between what I'm saying and what you're saying. You can't even point to anything! You just disagree for the sake of disagreeing. I'm not talking to you anymore. You're not a reasonable individual. --User:LordSuryaofShropshire 16:03, Aug 31, 2004 (UTC) :I guess, it is time for me to plonk you. Perhaps you should find a place other than Wikipedia to add your "fictions" and your "KNOWN" ideas. I'd thought that you're a Hindu Osama, but your jugglery shows you're a Christian terrorist. *thread plonk* --User:Rrjanbiah 05:34, 1 Sep 2004 (UTC) == Ramayana == I came across this site which had collection of good links on ramayana. I wanted to suggest one more link which mainly concentrates on webcasting Ramayana, Geeta(weekly) and other philosophical discourses in Kannada. Here is the link: Ramayana: http://www.vyasamadhwa.org/sundarakanda.htm Sundarakanda: Sundara Kaanda is the heart of Raamaayana. It is the story of Hanumantha, who is the personification of the highest form of Jnaana, Bhakti and Vairaagya. These three attributes when blessed by the Lord will make one, lead a purposeful life in this world and attain Moksha thereafter. Hanumantha is the ultimate symbol of efficiency and optimisation. No act or word of his is either superfluous or deficient. He is the perfect role model for all of us to emulate. If we do, all our apparently imponderable problems will wither away. It will cleanse our mindset of greed, jealousy and anger leaving us free to lead a successful life as useful members of society. Geeta(weekly): http://www.vyasamadhwa.org/recital.htm Geeta (Archived earlier discourses) http://www.vyasamadhwa.org/archive.htm Hope it will be useful for people who want to know more about Ramayana and Mahabharata, == demise of Book 4 == The Empire of the Holy Monkeys was removed in December - is this because of conflicts between translations, or was it an accident? Both the introduction and the Valmiki Ramayana indicate it was grouped in 7 books. :Don't know why it was removed, but it should be there. I have restored it. —User:Lowellian (User talk:Lowellian) 08:29, Apr 19, 2005 (UTC) == Ramayana and History == I've started a section called "Historical evidence" that records the various archeological reveals that point to the historical significance of Ramayana. All those of you from different parts of India, please add the points from your nearest ancient city, with pictures of archeoloical/religious monuments that are said to be related to that. --User:Hpnadig 03:27, 14 Feb 2005 (UTC) ==Rama's bridge== While the section on this island chain says that it was discovered by NASA, I'm quite certain that the chain was known before, and I'm reasonably sure but not certain that it is marked by the name 'Adam's bridge' on older, pre space-age maps. NASA probably used an old British name. In the present context, it would make sense to name it Rama's bridge. User:Imc 19:52, 17 Feb 2005 (UTC) : I have removed the section. It's a hoax. (Sources [http://www.punjabilok.com/science/nasa_debunks.htm here] and [http://www.laputanlogic.com/articles/2002/11/03-83975630.html here]). The original claim itself is preposterous. It claims that the bridge is 1.75 millions years old. Human ancestors only evolved approximately 2 million years ago and Homo Sapiens most definitely haven't been around for 1.75 million years. വിവിന്_പാലിയത്)">User:Vivin 23:54, 7 Mar 2005 (UTC) :: I guess you're just bowing out for factoids instead of looking at the NASA image. There's no official technical/scientific document as mentioned in the article pointed by you, that suggests the bridge didn't exist. There might be varied opinion about its age, but one has to take into account that besides theories, even the exact dates of Ramayana are also unknown. ::: I wrote that Laputan Logic article back in 2002. These kinds of structures are created by ocean currents and are not all that rare. As for the purported age of 1.75 million years, I think it's worth pointing out that, geologically speaking, India and Sri Lanka were a single piece of land only 18,000 years ago. ::: [http://www13.brinkster.com/tormel/images/photos/bridge/Bridge6.jpeg Here]is the famous image which I believe was actually taken in 1996 and this is what the Encyclopedia Britannica had to say about it back in [http://43.1911encyclopedia.org/A/AD/ADAM_S_BRIDGE_REEF_.htm 1911]: ::: "ADAM'S BRIDGE, or RAMA'S BRIDGE, a chain of sandbanks extending from the island of Manaar, near the N.W. coast of Ceylon to the island of Rameswaram, off the Indian coast, and lying between the Gulf of Manaar on the S.W. and Palk Strait on the N.E. It is more than 30 m. long and offers a serious impediment to navigation. Some of the sandbanks are dry; and no part of the shoal has a greater depth than 3 or 4 ft. at high water, except three tortuous and intricate channels which have recently been dredged to a sufficient depth to admit the passage of vessels, so as to obviate the long journey round the island of Ceylon which was previously necessary. Geological evidence shows that this gap was once bridged by a continuous isthmus which according to the temple records was breached by a violent storm in 1480. Operations for removing the obstacles in the channel and for deepening and widening it were begun as long ago as 1838. A service of the British India Steam Navigation Company's steamers has been established between Negapatam and Colombo through Palk Strait and this narrow passage." ::: Speaking of "factoids" this whole thing was a creation of the Indian news media. The oldest version of this story still online is [http://www.vnn.org/world/WD0210/WD07-7592.html here] although I know it was lifted from the *religious section* of [http://www.indolink.com/Religion/ another site]. A few more images of the sandbar [http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/scripts/sseop/photo.pl?mission=STS059&roll=231&frame=71 here] and [http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/scripts/sseop/photo.pl?mission=STS033&roll=74&frame=74 here]. User:John Hardy 23:09, 16 May 2005 (AET) :::: There is no place for the natural causeway under "Historical Evidence". The Ramayana states that the bridge was actually built. How could a Natural Causeway be evidence of that? We could perhaps hypothesize that there used to be a land bridge between India and Sri Lanka, which Rama and the Vanara Army could have used. --വിവിന്_പാലിയത്)">User:Vivin 20:48, 16 May 2005 (UTC) == Spelling of Vali or Bali == I believe the standard spelling for the name of Sugreeva's brother is Vali, not "Bali", as in the article. The Sanskrit text in Devanagari uses the semivowel 'va' and not the labial 'ba'.
See other meanings of words starting from letter:
R
RA | RB | RC | RD | RE | RF | RG | RH | RI | RJ | RK | RL | RM | RN | RO | RP | RS | RT | RU | RW | RX | RY | RZ |Words begining with Ramayana:
Ramayana
Ramayana
Ramayanam
Ramayana_epic
Ramayana_Monkey_Chant
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