If you are an Indian, there is no way you haven’t heard the story of Ramayana.
Enacted on the stage of life some 7000 years ago, this magnum opus is not mythology. In fact, it is that part of ancient history whose proofs are scattered all the way from Ayodhya to Sri Lanka- the journey that was undertaken in this timeless epic, of which ‘Shri Rama’ is the main protagonist.
As Dussehra festivities light up the ‘Ram-Leela pandals’ and as the effigies of Ravana get prepared in various parts of the world, I once again sit down to ponder on the story of Ramayana and try to understand its essence all over again. Is it merely a story of the victory of good over evil? Is it just a simple tale about a king who rescued his wife from the clutches of the villain? If seen at a superficial level, it may seem just that but if we fathom deep into its layers, it is much more. In Ramayana we find humanely vulnerable characters, majestic ideals and valuable lessons that reconcile us to the greatness and mediocrity that exists within each human being. It challenges us to display our greatness in times of mediocrity in order to emerge champions in this glorious adventure that we call life.
THE STORY
The story was first narrated in the ‘adikavya’ of ‘Maharishi Valmiki’ and was titled ‘Valmiki Ramayana’. Sage Valmiki is known to have lived during the time of this epic saga. He wrote a first hand account of various events, having heard the rest from the people who brushed shoulders with the main characters of this mighty legend.
CHILDHOOD
The story goes that in ‘Treta Yug’ around 5000 BC, a just and conscientious king named Dasaratha ruled over Ayodhya, a city in central India (as of today). He had three wives (which was normal for a king in those times) and four sons. The eldest was Rama followed by Bharat, Laxman and Shatrughna.
When the boys came of a certain age, they were sent to the ‘ashram’ (boarding school) of ‘Rishi Vashishtha’ and there they received their education.
MARRIAGE
Upon coming back Rama was married to the daughter of Raja Janak– the king of Mithila. The girl, Sita, was the eldest of Raja Janak’s daughters. She was presumably someone whom the king had found in the drought stricken earth. As she was considered to be the daughter of earth, she was also known by the name of ‘Bhumija’ (‘Bhumi’ meaning Earth). She had three sisters and they were married to the three brothers of Rama.
EXILE
Just before the coronation of Rama, Kaikeyi his step-mother fell from her affectionate self and spiralled into jealousy and hatred for Rama who was otherwise her favourite child. She told the king to exile Rama for fourteen years and raise her son Bharat to kingship. Due to a promise given to his wife in the past (‘pran jaaye par vachan na jaaye’), the king could not deny her wish and did the needful. But the ‘needful’ came with additional baggage as Sita and Laxman also vowed to accompany Rama.
As these three dawned the robes of ascetics, a mournful Ayodhaya bid farewell to their beloved prince. Time went by and almost thirteen years passed while these three people travelled down south. During this time Rama and Laxman helped various sages. They fought against the demons, ‘rakshasas’ and restored order by spreading ‘dharma’ in many kingdoms. Sita in the meanwhile was the beloved companion of Rama. She was revered like a mother by the junior brother Laxman.
RAVANA
It was during the last course of their journey that hell broke loose when Laxman attacked Shurpanakha who was the sister of the mighty king of Lanka- Ravana. Ravana, considered half Asur (demon) and half Brahmin (sage) ruled over ten kingdoms, was a dedicated disciple of Lord Shiva, an inordinate scholar, possibly one of the most intelligent beings of that time and an incomparable warrior. When he came to know of the attack, he retaliated by abducting Sita while Laxman was away looking for Rama in the forest.
THE WAR
This abduction brought about grave consequences and Rama declared war on Ravana’s kingdom- his ‘Sone ki Lanka’ (Golden Lanka). But before that he had to gather forces. Obviously it was impossible for just Rama and Laxman to fight the enormous armies of Ravana. Here we find a multitude of characters stepping in, prominent among them being Jatayu, Bali, Sugreev and Hanuman. Rama gathered his ‘Vaanar Sena’ (an army of monkeys, who were half men and half monkeys), sent Hanuman to Sita (who flew across the massive ocean) to tell her that Rama was coming for her, sent Angad to Lanka to announce his arrival and got the ‘Ram Setu’ built between Dhanuskodi (of today’s time) and Lanka so that his army could cross the gigantic ocean to reach the city of gold.
THE DOWNFALL
In the meanwhile, Ravana’s wife Mandodari, did her best to persuade her husband to let Sita go. Ravana, who was one of the most intelligent beings was so enamoured by the ‘me’ paradigm, that he let himself regress into the abyss of a darkening spectrum and refused to comply with his wife or the others who warned him time and again. And here lies one of the greatest lessons of Ramayana. If one does not have mastery over one’s desires, if one cannot control his mind, that same mind will make even the most intelligent of men plummet into the pit of hell.
Ravana’s recklessness, obduracy and conceit was triumphed over by Maryada Purushottama Rama’s equilibrium, humility and spiritual strength. After defeating Ravana and restoring order in his kingdom, Rama, Laxman and Sita went back to Ayodhya as the period of their exile had almost come to an end.
While the story continues further, the major six ‘kandas’ (parts) of the story finish here (total being seven parts).
THE PROOFS
So, what are the proofs that this legend is actually history? Although the internet can give you many details, there were a few that caught my attention.
Panchvati in Nashik (India) houses the cave where Rama, Sita and Laxman stayed for a large part of their exile.
The mysterious Cobra Hood Cave in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka exhibits paintings on its walls, depicting scenes of Sita being captured by the Asuras.
One can still see the giant footprints of Lord Hanuman in Ashokvanam in Sri Lanka.
The Ram Setu (Bridge of Rama) is a living wonder as it is still existent. Made of floating rocks it is a mysterious bridge which science is yet unable to explain. The 2022 Bollywood movie ‘Ram Setu’ revealed this astounding fact to many people, including me.
RELEVANCE
As I look back on the story of Ramayana, I find it totally relevant to modern times in many ways. What appeals to me most is that it is not a fantastical tale of a superhero or a wizarding champ. Instead, it is a simple and realistic tale of one human being (supposedly the 7th reincarnation of Lord Vishnu) who lived a graceful and dignified life despite of all the challenges that life threw at him. The others around him were also very tough and complete characters in themselves with their own strengths and frailties. From godly to the most devilish, Ramayana has various shades. And in all these, being born a human comes with its own insecurities, flaws and provocations, but how we conduct ourselves (do our karma) decides whether we become Rama or Ravana.
None but we are responsible for our fate and this is reflected beautifully in this classic tale of selfless sacrifice, righteousness and unfettered desire.
Jai Siyaram!
Long live the name of Sita and Rama
Writer: Shilpi Haryal
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