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Garma
Garam More |
Literature |
RamayanaThe Ramayana is considered the first ornate poem and is attributed to the sage Valmiki. Its present form has seven books and about 24,000 slokas or verses, though the last book is an epilog written later as was probably most of the first book. Treatment of Rama as an immortal god, an incarnation of Vishnu, is mostly found in these later books. Nevertheless the entire poem is heroic, and Rama along with his wife Sita are superhuman in their virtue and perfection. For Indian culture they represent models of ideal behavior and attitudes. The time period of the Ramayana has been estimated as between the twelfth and tenth centuries BC when the Kosalas and Videhas ruled northern India. A legend about the author Valmiki tells how he was a robber chief, who once waylaid two ascetics; they offered him spiritual wisdom in place of gold and silver which they did not have. Won over by their ideas, Valmiki became a devotee of Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, and after meditating much on Rama and his virtues he was given a vision of his entire life. Valmiki asked Narada, who was most heroic and virtuous, and was told of Rama as the most self-controlled, valiant and illustrious, the Lord of all. Narada declared that he is equal to Brahma, a protector of the people, supporter of the universe, subduer of those who violate the moral code, the inspirer of virtue in others, and one who grants grace to his devotees. Having told Valmiki the story of Rama, Narada asked permission to leave and ascended to heaven. Then the poet Valmiki put the story into verse based on the details he perceived in his meditative vision. The story begins in Ayodhya, where Rama's father ruled as king in the tradition of Manu. The community was prosperous and happy, and the Brahmins understood the six systems of philosophy. Dasaratha's ministers were guided by the moral code and reason; it was a golden age, an age of truth (satya-yuga). According to the first book, Vishnu decided to incarnate in the sons of Dasaratha in order to destroy the cruel leader of the demons, Ravana, who through austerity had gained the boon of being invulnerable to all but man.
The
second book begins by describing Rama's many virtues. The elderly King
Dasaratha While the people of Ayodhya are celebrating the expected coronation of Rama, he goes to the palace only to be commanded into exile by the king. Everyone who loves Rama is stricken with grief, but Rama allows himself no sign of emotion and willingly submits to the royal will. Lakshmana protests and wants to fight for Rama's rightful place, but Rama persuades him that they must obey their father out of duty and not use violence; what is right is more important than a mere kingdom. Rama also urges his mother, Kaushalya, to stay with her husband rather than follow him into the forest. Sita, however, is able to convince Rama that it is her duty to be with her husband. Unable to persuade her to stay behind, Rama says he cannot abandon his wife. Sita gives away her possessions in preparation, and Rama is acclaimed by the people for his virtues of harmlessness, compassion, obedience, heroism, humility, and self-control. The king believes that he must have deprived countless beings of their offspring to have to suffer this separation from his beloved son. Lakshmana accompanies Rama and Sita, and the emotional parting is ended by Rama's ordering the chariot-driver to hurry away. They cross the Ganges River and enter the wild forest. Rama sends the chariot-driver back to the court to tell them he will live as an ascetic, and so Kaikeyi should not be suspicious but enjoy supreme authority in the name of her son Bharata. Rama's small group is guided further into the forest by local leaders and sages. Rama realizes that his mother must have done something in a former life to have her son taken away in this one, and Dasaratha tells how once while hunting he accidentally killed the son of two blind parents as he was getting water for them. Realizing the fruit of that action in his current sorrow, King Dasaratha soon dies of grief. Kaushalya reprimands Kaikeyi saying that one who is ambitious is unaware like one who eats unripe fruit. The counselors decide that Bharata should be made king. He has been living in Rajagriha with his grandparents, but a dream reveals the death of his father. Returning to Ayodhya Bharata reproaches his mother Kaikeyi for her selfish plot to put him in Rama's rightful place, and he suggests that she commit suicide. Bharata consoles Kaushalya, and the funeral ceremonies are held amid much sorrow. Shatrughna wants to punish the hunchback woman, Manthara, but Bharata persuades him that Rama would not approve of such killing or Bharata would have killed his own mother too. Bharata
Rama asks Bharata if he is fulfilling his royal duties, but Bharata says that as the eldest Rama ought to be king. However, Rama declares that the royal word of their father must be their law, and therefore Bharata must rule for fourteen years while Rama is in exile. Bharata begs Rama to return to Ayodhya, but Rama steadfastly refuses. Rama explains that morality is the soul of government, and that is how the people are upheld. The essence of duty is truth, and therefore he must keep his word to his father. Rama renounces the so-called duty of the warrior which is violent, saying it is injustice under the name of justice and the practice of the cruel, depraved, and ambitious who do evil. He prefers to live in the forest free of sin in peace, enjoying pure roots, fruit, and flowers. Bharata asks for the golden sandals of Rama and is given them as a symbol of Rama's absent rule through Bharata. Celestial gifts are conferred on Sita as she declares her loyalty to her husband as her guru and master of her heart. She believes that obedience to one's Lord is the crowning discipline for a noble woman In the third book Sita is carried off by the demon Viradha, but Rama and his brother get her back again by slaying the demon. In the forest the sages ask Rama for his protection, and he promises to deliver them from the oppression of the Titans. Sita implores her husband, however, not to attack the Titans, for there are three failings born of desire: uttering falsehood, associating with another's wife, and committing violence without provocation, the last of which is now showing itself in Rama. Sita pleads that the bearing of arms alters one's mind the way fire changes a piece of wood. She asks Rama to renounce all thought of slaying the Titans, pointing out that the practice of war and asceticism in the forest are opposed to each other. She begs him to honor the moral code as it relates to peace. Rama replies that the sages are unable to enjoy a peaceful life in the forest because of the Titans, and he has promised to aid them if they ask for his help. A female demon Shurpanakha tries to seduce Rama and Lakshmana; but when she attacks Sita, Lakshmana cuts off her ears and nose. Shurpanakha complains to her brother Khara, and he sends demons who are slain by Rama. Then Khara leads his army of demons against Rama. Rama destroys them and kills Khara. Ravana,
king of the demons, hears of their defeat and is persuaded by Shurpanakha
to try to kill Rama so that he can wed Sita. The demon Maricha tries to
dissuade Ravana, warning him against the sin of interfering with someone's
wife. However, Maricha assumes the form of a fawn and is slain by Rama.
Hearing his cry, Sita insists that Lakshmana go to assist him even though In
vain Rama and Lakshmana search for Sita, and Rama's sorrow turns to wrath.
Eventually Rama is told what happened and where he can find Ravana. The
fourth through the sixth books n Once
a Bibishana advises Ravana to send back Sita to avoid the war, warning that being in the wrong they are sure to be defeated by Rama. Ravana calls a council of war and is supported by flattering speeches. Bibishana is rebuffed by his brother Ravana and departs to the monkeys, who doubt his loyalty; but Rama accepts him as an ally, saying, "I shall never refuse to receive one who presents himself as a friend."1 Bibishana tells them of the strength and extent of Ravana's army. The army of monkeys and Rama cross the sea to Lanka. Once again Ravana is advised, this time by his grandfather the Titan Malyavan, to return Sita and make peace with Rama. Again Ravana closes his ears to this speech, relying on his power to overcome the exiled Rama. In the battle Rama and Lakshmana are struck down by Ravana's son, Indrajita, but they are revived by Garuda. Rama then defeats Ravana in battle but does not kill him. Ravana's brother Kumbhakarna is able to turn the monkeys back, but he is slain by Rama. Using invisibility Indrajita puts the monkey army out of action. Hanuman gets herbs from the Lord of the Mountains to heal the wounds of Rama and Lakshmana, and Lanka is set on fire again by the monkeys. Indrajita devises the stratagem of killing an apparition, which seemed to be Sita. When Rama hears the news that Sita has been slain, he falls to the ground like a tree whose roots have been severed. Lakshmana then delivers a despairing speech that virtue must not have its reward if such things could happen to the noble Rama. Bibishana, explaining that he is fighting against his brother because of the wrongs he has committed, helps Lakshmana to kill Indrajita.
Rama sends for Sita; but when they meet, he repudiates her because of suspicions based on her having lived in the house of another. He cannot believe that Ravana would not have enjoyed her ravishing beauty; so he tells her she may go where she pleases. Hearing this harsh speech from Rama, Sita weeps bitterly. Sita laments that she was always faithful to her husband in whatever was under her control. She accuses Rama of being worthless and to prove her innocence enters the flames of the sacrificial fire. Then Brahma reprimands Rama for acting like a man when he is really a god. After this divine speech Sita is restored from the extinguished pyre and given back to Rama by the fire god Agni, who declares her innocent. This ordeal by fire had to occur though, so that other people would know Sita's innocence.
This story which justifies the conquest of southern India and the island of Lanka nevertheless acknowledges the virtue of the dark-skinned southern peoples, who though referred to as monkeys are nonetheless on the side of good. The military hero Rama is divinized and becomes an object of worship as an incarnation of the Preserver Vishnu, and Sita is held up as the model of outstanding womanhood exemplifying beauty, patience, loyalty, kindness, and mercy. Source: Hindunet.org
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Dasaratha
had more than one wife, and each of his four sons was born to a different
mother, but clearly the greatest was the oldest Rama, followed by
Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. Taught by the sage Vishvamitra, Rama
slays the demon Takaka and is given celestial weapons. Sita, who was
mysteriously born in the furrow of a field, which is what her name means,
was to be give
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in marriage to the one who could bend a certain bow. When
Rama bent the bow, it broke in two; so Rama and Sita were married. Rama
proves his valor and skill by stringing another bow and defeating
Parasurama in combat. Sita communicated all her thoughts to Rama and could
clearly read his mind, so dear were they to each other.
decides to hand over the rule of his kingdom to his illustrious
eldest son, Rama, but on the day before his installation, Queen Kaikeyi,
the mother of Bharata, is persuaded by her hunchback servant Manthara to
ask the king for the two boons he owes her for having saved his life. Her
son Bharata must be made regent, and Rama must go into exile in the forest
for fourteen years.
decides to refuse the throne and offer it to Rama. Bharata crosses the
Ganges and eventually finds Rama in the forest. When Lakshmana sees
Bharata's army approaching, he fears the worst and is ready to fight; but
Rama explains he only would want the throne to protect his brothers and
would never fight against them. He correctly perceives that Bharata is
coming to offer him the throne. When the four brothers are reunited,
Bharata and Shatrughna allow their tears to fall.
it is his duty to guard Sita. In a rare lapse of character in her
excessive love for Rama, Sita accuses Lakshmana of caring more for her
than his own brother. With Lakshmana out of the way, Ravana approaches
Sita, who defies him. Nevertheless he abducts her by force and takes her
to the island of Lanka. Ravana tries to make Sita his consort, but she
refuses and is given to Titan women to be guarded.
arrate the war against Ravana and the
Titans by Rama and his allies in southern India who are referred to as
monkeys. Their king Sugriva sends the powerful Hanuman to aid Rama. The
monkeys search everywhere for Sita, and only after they refuse to eat does
someone tell them where she is hidden. The monkeys are discouraged when
they see the ocean, but Hanuman is able to fly over to Lanka and explore
the enemy's territory.
gain Ravana tries to woo Sita, but she refuses again and prophesies the
destruction of the Titans. Hanuman finds Sita, but she refuses to be
rescued by him, though she gives him her jewel to take to Rama. Hanuman
does considerable damage but is captured by the Titans. The Titan
Bibishana pleads for Hanuman's life out of respect for messengers. Hanuman
escapes and sets fire to Lanka, then returns and urges the monkeys to
rescue Sita.
Finally
Rama and Ravana fight with magic weapons. Ravana flees; but later they
fight again, and Ravana is killed. After the funeral and mourning for
Ravana, Bimbishana is installed as king of Lanka. Hanuman carries the news
to Sita, who pleads for mercy toward her former captors now captured
themselves. Sita quotes an ancient saying,
Rama
and Sita return to Ayodhya, where Rama is installed as king. In the later
epilog (seventh book) a dark cloud still hangs over Sita, and people
criticize Rama for taking her back. So she goes once more to live in the
forest and is taken in by Valmiki, the author of the epic. Sita gives
birth to twins, who are taught to recite the poem. Rama recognizes his
sons as minstrels and asks Valmiki to return his wife; but unable to
remove the people's suspicions, her heart broken, she asks the Earth to
take her back, and her end mirrors her beginning. Finally death seeks out
Rama, and he ascends to heaven.