This is an epic poem of courage, magic and humor, containing 18 books and 24,000 verses divided into 500 songs. Set in India, Rama (avatar--incarnation--of the God Vishnu) and his wife Sita have been banished from their kingdom of Kosala for fourteen years, due to a plot by the mother of one of Rama's four brothers to keep Rama from the throne. Rama's brother, Laksmana, accompanies the couple. King Rawana of Ceylon spies the beautiful Sita and creates a plan to abduct her. He sends one of his minions, magically disguised as a golden deer to entice Rama and Laksmana away from Sita. Rama goes after the deer, instructing Laksmana not to leave Sita. Rama brings down the golden deer with his bow and arrow. The golden deer reverts to its original shape and with its dying breath calls out "Help, help, help" in Rama's voice. Sita, hearing Rama's voice, entreats Laksmana to go and help Rama. When he refuses, she goads him into leaving. Laksmana draws a magic circle around Sita and tells her that she must stay inside it until he and Rama return. When Sita is alone, Rawana appears, disguised as an ailing old man, who begs Sita for help. When Sita steps out of the magic circle to aid the old man, the old man changes into Rawana and abducts Sita, telling her that Rama is dead. He rises in the air with her and flies to his Kingdom.
The Ramayana story is especially important to Hindus because it is possible for ordinary people to identify with the characters and situations. The heroes and heroines are emulated for their positive qualities of honesty, devotion, perseverance, fidelity, and bravery. Strongly evident in this story is the portrayal of pure evil and those who have the courage to resist and overcome that evil.
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from cheryl
Imagining India 2010 Welcome Tradition and Modernity students. The aim of the blog is simply to promote and facilitate on line discussion between students, and the posting of other items of interest that contribute to our exploration of South Asian traditions and modernities
Is this story told as a religious event or is it a story that is told for amusment by the population? Does the story take a particular significance in relation to the Hindu religion as some stories are told in Christian Religions?
ReplyDeleteJohn: Ramayana is like important to the Indians just like the story of Jesus is.. It is even considered religious and there is a book for that which contains verses and prayers, which the Indians worship.
ReplyDeleteSheryl: You forgot to mention about Hanuman. He was also essential to the Ramayana just as the other characters were.
Yes I will look at Hanuman and also how this story is woven into elements of the Hindu religion.
ReplyDeleteBut also the ramayana functions as a moral tale which speaks about right conduct and relations between family and individuals. The epic also appears in various forms in other countries. The indonesian version is especially interesting.
ReplyDeleteI find the image of Sita is especially important as a traditional archetype for Indian womenhood and many feminist scholars have deconstructed the implications of this in terms of womens' oppresion
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