\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 RAMAKANT TIWARI When Maharsi Valmiki<\/i>\u00a0 decided to author a historical epic to inspire everyone follow moral uprighteousness, he was advised by Muni Narada<\/i>\u00a0 to write about Sri Rama<\/i>, greatest monarch, son of King Dasratha<\/i>, born in Raghu<\/i> \u00a0clan. Similarly, Kalidasa<\/i>\u00a0 too, authored Raghuvamsama<\/i>\u00a0 on Raghu<\/i>\u00a0 dynasty providing details of Sri Rama<\/i>\u2019s ancestors and successors. Ajanubahu Sri<\/i> Rama<\/i>\u00a0 stood 7 feet tall and happened to be a gorgeous \/ fabulous persona. His contemporary Parasurama<\/i>\u00a0 happened to be Saktyavesa<\/i>\u00a0 incarnation i.e. possessing divine faculties of Visnu<\/i>. There are otherwise 6 orders of Avatara<\/i>-s as under \u2013<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Purusa<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 incarnation \u2014 Mahavisnu\u00a0<\/i> i.e. Karnodakasayi Visnu<\/i>, Garbhodakasayi Visnu<\/i>\u00a0 and Ksirodakasayi Visnu<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Guna<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 incarnations \u2014 Brahma<\/i>, Visnu<\/i>, Siva<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Lila<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 incarnations \u2014 Vamana<\/i>, Narsimha<\/i>, Matsya<\/i>, Varaha\u00a0 <\/i>etc.<\/b><\/p>\n Manvantara\u00a0<\/i><\/b> incarnations \u2014 Ajita\u00a0<\/i> who liberated Gajendra<\/i>, Yajna<\/i>\u00a0 etc.<\/b><\/p>\n Yuga<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 incarnations \u2014 Caitanya Mahaprabhu<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Avesa<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 incarnations \u2014 Narada<\/i>, four Kumara<\/i>-s, Parsurama<\/i>, Buddha<\/i> \u00a0etc.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 name was prevalent even before incarnation of Rama<\/i>.\u00a0<\/b>\u0930\u092e\u094d<\/b> \u2013 <\/b>\u0930\u092e\u092f\u0924\u0947<\/b> (Rama<\/i>–Ramayate<\/i>) means state of being engrossed in Ananda<\/i>\u00a0 i.e. Bliss. Ramyate<\/i>\u00a0 is the origin of the name \u2018Rama<\/i>\u2019 and Rama <\/i>\u00a0is the one who is ever immersed in Ananda\u00a0 <\/i>and impels others to immerse in it. Ra<\/i>\u00a0 means rays of enlightenment which together with Rama<\/i>, constitutes definition of complete and absolute existence. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Ramacandra<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 Rama<\/i>\u2019s original name is only \u2018Rama<\/i>\u2019. He belongs to Surya<\/i>\u00a0 dynasty, born at 12 noon. As a child,\u00a0 He once obstinately cried for the moon and that begot Him the name Ramacandra<\/i>.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 \u2018Sri<\/i>\u2019 is one of the virtues of Isvara<\/i>\u00a0 viz. success, energy, beauty, virtues, generosity, detachment, knowledge and opulence. When Rama<\/i>\u00a0 returned victorious to Ayodhya<\/i>\u00a0 with Sita<\/i>\u00a0 after slaying Ravana<\/i>\u00a0 and conquering Lanka<\/i>\u00a0 revealing that He was indeed Isvara <\/i>\u00a0incarnate, He was called Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 by residents of Ayodhya<\/i>. In Valmiki Ramayana<\/i>, Rama<\/i>\u00a0 is referred to as Narapungava <\/i>\u00a0i.e. Supreme Man and not as Isvara<\/i>. Similarly, Hanumana<\/i>\u00a0 is referred to as Kapipungava<\/i>\u00a0 i.e. Supreme Vanara<\/i>. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Other Incarnations\u00a0 When Isvara<\/i>\u00a0 incarnates, other deities too incarnate alongwith Him. So when Sri Visnu<\/i>\u00a0 incarnated as Sri Rama<\/i>, other deities that incarnated alongwith Him are as under \u2013<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 and His family<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Whose Incarnation ?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Srirama<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Sri Visnu<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Sita<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Sakti<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 of Sri Visnu<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Laksmana<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Adisesa<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Bharata<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Conch<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Satrughna<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Discus<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Hanumana<\/i><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Eleventh Rudra<\/i>\u00a0 of Siva<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 as ideal son : Though Sri Rama <\/i>\u00a0obeyed His parents, He also preached His elders. While departing for forest, He told His parents not to grieve for Him. After He returned after completing 14 years in exile, He offered obeisance to Ma Kaikeyi<\/i>, very instigator of His exile and spoke to her adoringly as before.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 as ideal brother : Mutual love of Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 and Laksmana<\/i>\u00a0 is an ideal illustration of fratricidal love.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 as ideal husband : Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 had only one wife Sita<\/i>\u00a0 and He was entirely devoted to Her. Even after abandoning her under public indictment, Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 lived as an ascetic. While performing Yajna<\/i>, He placed Her idol beside Him. He never thought about another wife despite that being a prevalent practice during those days.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 as ideal friend : Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 helped Sugriva<\/i>, Vibhisana<\/i> \u00a0etc. during their tumultuous days.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 as an ideal King : He ruled over His Kingdom as a measure of Guru<\/i>–Seva<\/i>\u00a0 i.e. service unto the Guru<\/i>\u00a0 as He offered entire Kingdom unto the holy feet of His Guru Vasistha<\/i>. He believed, only Brahmana<\/i>-s are entitled to rule over the earth surrounded by oceans. Thereafter, Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 ruled over His kingdom for 11,000 years on behalf of His Guru<\/i>. That was precisely the reason why His rule became famous as Ram-Rajya<\/i>, extremely prosperous resembling Satyayuga<\/i>. He was very prompt in following Raja<\/i>–Dharma<\/i> \u00a0that anointed Him as an ideal monarch. <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 as an ideal enemy : When Vibhisana<\/i>\u00a0 refused to perform last rites of his slain elder brother Ravana<\/i>, Sri Rama<\/i> \u00a0told him, \u201cEnmity ceases with death. If you do not perform his last rites, I will. He is my brother too\u201d.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n He adhered to all norms of Dharma<\/i>\u00a0 and He was adored as Maryada Purusottama<\/i>. He taught Dharma<\/i> \u00a0too, to His subjects. Following His teachings, connection between Nivrattimargi<\/i>-s i.e. those who ceased to participate in worldly affairs and Pravrattimargi<\/i>-s i.e. those still active in worldly life, was never severed and it led to bliss for every person. He was complete incarnation of Dharma<\/i>, rather Dharma<\/i>\u00a0 itself in His human manifest. Thus, Ramarajya<\/i> \u00a0is regarded as ideal.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 was always true to His word. Once He uttered something, it was the Truth and there was no need for verification. No one ever asked Sri Rama<\/i>, \u201cIs this true ?\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 could strike any target with a single arrow in first attempt itself. He was the greatest marksman ever known.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Sri Rama<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 was generous to the core. When Sugriva<\/i>\u00a0 asked Sri Rama<\/i>, \u201cWhen Vibhisana\u00a0 <\/i>surrendered, you gifted the Kingdom of Lanka<\/i>\u00a0 to him. What will you do if Ravana\u00a0 <\/i>too surrenders ?\u201d Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 replied, \u201cI will gift him Ayodhya<\/i>, then proceed to live in jungles alongwith my brothers.\u201d He was ever Sthitiprajna<\/i>\u00a0 i.e. equanimous which revealed His highest order of spiritual advancement. Neither His coronation nor banishment to jungles ever perturbed Him a bit. However, He displayed emotions like human beings as He had assumed incarnation in human form albeit superficially. That established His greatness beyond any iota of doubt.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Rama-Rajya<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 refers to spiritual advancement of a very high order. Due to Sri Rama<\/i>\u2019s influence, every citizen of Ayodhya<\/i>\u00a0 was entirely Sattvika<\/i>\u00a0 like Him. It was literally a spell of Satyayuga<\/i>\u00a0 in His era and that led to complete absence of conflict, pain, agony throughout the Kingdom of Ayodhya<\/i>. Thus, it was the influence of His being Sattvika<\/i>\u00a0 that transformed everyone in Ayodhya<\/i>\u00a0 into being Sattvika<\/i>\u00a0 that led to the legend of Rama<\/i>–Rajya<\/i>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Rama Rajya<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 lasted for 11,000 years and in this Rajya<\/i>, people were healthy, consecrated, contented and entirely peaceful. There were no evils, no wars, no natural calamities and no diseases. Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 ruled over entire earth without resorting to coercive force as all Kings submitted themselves unto Him. He was gifted a rare gem by Rsi Agastya<\/i>\u00a0 that blessed Him with powers of Indra<\/i>, Varuna<\/i>, Yama<\/i>\u00a0 and Kubera<\/i>\u00a0 and that strengthened Him to rule over extra-ordinarily. Bharata<\/i>\u00a0 conquered Gandharva<\/i>-s on eastern front and ruled over that. Satrughna<\/i>\u00a0 slew Asura Lavana<\/i> \u00a0and founded the city of Mathura. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n As many as three hundred versions of Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 are known to exist with the oldest version being the Samskrita <\/i>\u00a0one attributed to Maharsi Valmiki<\/i>. Ramayana <\/i>\u00a0voyaged beyond our shores, then indigenised or translated in harmony with local cultural ethos. The epic expanded to many Asian countries like Burma, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam and China. An year long exhibition on \u2018Ramayana<\/i> \u00a0Revisited \u2013 Tale Of Love And Adventure’ at Peranakan Museum in Singapore ignited exploration of the role that the epic exerted as a cultural unifier, particularly for the Asian region.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Prominent versions of Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 that have emerged outside Bharata <\/i>\u00a0are \u2013<\/b><\/p>\n Phommachak in Kingdom of Lan Na.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n In Laos, the epic is popular as\u00a0Myongsing Ramayana<\/i>,\u00a0Phra Lak Phra Lam\u00a0and\u00a0Guay Duorahbi. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n In Myanmar, two variants\u00a0Thagyin\u00a0and\u00a0Maha Rama,\u00a0composed during 18th<\/sup> and 19th<\/sup> centuries respectively, are popular. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Vietnam’s famous dance-drama\u00a0Lakhon Bassac\u00a0depicts their variants of the epic.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n In Indonesia, the epic was composed in 10th<\/sup> century as\u00a0Kakawin Ramayana\u00a0<\/i> influencing\u00a0Wayang Kulit, a puppet theatre group. Some variants include Arjuna Pramada<\/i>\u00a0 elaborating meeting of Sri Krisna<\/i>, Arjuna\u00a0 <\/i>with Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 and Laksamana<\/i>. According to the Pramada<\/i>, Arjuna<\/i>\u00a0 shot an arrow towards Alengka\u00a0 i.e. Lanka creating the bridge instantly. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Ramayana<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 is mentioned in Malay Peninsula as\u00a0Hikayat Maharaja Wana<\/i>\u00a0 and\u00a0Hikayat Seri Rama<\/i>, composed in 16th<\/sup> century. In this variant, Wana i.e. Ravana<\/i>\u00a0 and\u00a0Siti Dewi i.e. Sita<\/i>\u00a0 are biological father and daughter. Hanuman Kera Putih i.e. Hanumana<\/i>\u00a0 is depicted as son of\u00a0Seri Rama i.e. Sri Rama<\/i>, born to Him in his former life as\u00a0Dewa Berembun i.e. Visnu<\/i>. Malays also believe that Hanumana <\/i>\u00a0constructed the causeway to\u00a0Langkapuri i.e. Lanka single-handedly and managed to dissuade fish princess,\u00a0Puteri Ikan from destroying it by marrying her. Interestingly, Hanumana<\/i>‘s marriage with the mermaid is also mentioned in Thai and Khmer variants of the epic.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Siddhi Ramayana<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 by Mahakavi<\/i> \u00a0Siddhidas Mahaju Amatya and Bhanubhaktako Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 by Bhanubhakta Acharya in Nepal,<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Maharadia Lawana & Darangen of Mindanao in Philippines,<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Langka Sip Hor in Tai L\u00fc language.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Ramakein i.e. Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 in Thailand was\u00a0composed in 1798 wherein abduction of Nang Sida i.e. Sita<\/i>\u00a0 by Thotsakan i.e. Ravana <\/i>\u00a0is described as an act of love and his fall from grace is dubbed tragic. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Depiction of various episodes of Reamker i.e. Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 in Cambodia\u00a0on carved reliefs at Angkora Watt Temple, Banteay Srei and Baphuon during 10th<\/sup> century have been studied in detail. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Ramaenna or Ramaensho in Japan wherein character of Hanumana<\/i>\u00a0 was ignored. Suwa Engi No Koto by Koga Saburo Yorikata in 14th<\/sup> century is the version wherein youngest son is exiled by his brothers. Bontenkoku wherein Tamawaka i.e. Sri Rama<\/i>, is a flute player who escapes with his abducted wife Himegini i.e. Sita<\/i>\u00a0 while her captor King Baramon i.e. Ravana<\/i>\u00a0 is away for hunting. Other Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 derived stories in Japan including Kifune No Honji, Onzoshi Shimawatari and Bukkigun, have also demonstrated a deep convergence between the characters of Sri Rama<\/i> and Ravana<\/i>.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Earliest Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 in China exists in Buddhist text, Liudu Ji Jing that led to creation of fictional King’s character, Sun Wukong i.e. Hanumana<\/i>, in a 16th<\/sup> century novel Xiyou Ji. Characters of Dasaratha<\/i>, Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 and Laksmana<\/i>\u00a0 are also there in a 5th<\/sup> century Chinese text, Shishewang Yuan. Dai ethnic group of south-western Yunnan province know the epic as Lanka Xihe i.e. Ten Heads of Lanka. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The epic also spread to Tibet and Mongolia through Buddhism with a variation that it was Bharata<\/i>\u00a0 and not Laksmana<\/i>\u00a0 who accompanies Sri Rama<\/i>\u00a0 in exile.<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Events of Ramayana<\/i> have been found painted in ancient\u00a0Italian\u00a0houses discovered in archaeological excavations. Painting depicting Kausalya<\/i>, Kaikeyi<\/i>\u00a0 and Sumitra<\/i>, queens of King Dasaratha<\/i>\u00a0 sharing divine fertility potion to beget illustrious sons has been identified. Sri Rama<\/i>, Sita <\/i>\u00a0and Laksmana<\/i>\u00a0 walking through jungles in that order described in Ramayana<\/i>, is a scene existing in ancient Italian homes. Italian archaeologists are bewildered at the prospect of Hinduism being practised in Europe and Italy in that era. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Scholars like Nicholas Roerich in European Russia began to read Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 during 19th<\/sup> century in Petersburg. He visited Ceylon with images of palaces and pagodas in his mind \u201cBut, after all, only in fragments do Colombo and Ceylon recall the ancient Lanka of Hanumana<\/i>, Rama<\/i>, Ravana <\/i>\u00a0and other giants,\u201d he wrote in his memoirs. The epic was translated into Russian in 1948 by Alexander Baranikov, an eminent Indologist.\u00a0 It is now available in the country both as children\u2019s Classic also in addition to complete text. Pechnikov\u2019s Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 too exists, authored by Natalia Guseva, an eminent Indologist. It was also recorded as a play. Russia\u2019s Deputy Minister of Culture even proposed to film a movie on Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 with mixed cast of actors. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Legend of Dasaratha<\/i>\u00a0 also exists in ancient Egyptian lore. All these establish, European and African countries followed Vedic Dharma<\/i>\u00a0 in ancient times. <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Ramayana<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 is a grand epic of the Vedic<\/i>\u00a0 world and greatest cultural contribution to the world, imparts highly refined instruction in every aspect of life, in a way highest order of human conduct, having transcended religious and cultural boundaries. It is so righteously declared in Ramayana<\/i>, \u201cAs long as rivers and mountains continue to exist in the world, saga of Ramayana<\/i>\u00a0 shall continue.\u201d It is ironical that the epic enjoys far wider acceptance across various countries in the world that drifted away from Hinduism centuries ago than the country of it\u2019s origin and mandatory introduction into school syllabi is dubbed a \u201ccommunal\u201d act. Ramakant Tiwari<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" RAMA–RAJYA\u00a0 AND RAMAYANA \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 RAMAKANT TIWARI When Maharsi Valmiki\u00a0 decided to author a historical… more ![\"ramakant-tiwari\"](\"https:\/\/patriotsforumindia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/ramakant-tiwari.jpg\")
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