Ramayana- Significance

Facts for UPSC CSE

By Pratik Nayak
About Me
Ten Years Experience online & offline
teaching

BE Civil, M. Planning (CEPT University)

Cleared GPSC, Worked at Govt. of Gujarat

 Ramayana-

Text Significance ? Lessons

Ayodhya Chronological
Origin learnt from
Historical Development
Art Forms Ramayana-
Significance
Ramayana- Ethics
Mahabharat Archaeology Dance
Interface Music
Versions of Paintings
Ramayana

Within India
& Outside
India
Lord Rama in Literature

Ramayana-Mahabharat interface ?
Lord Rama in Literature ? Ramayana- Mahabharata Interface?

Purana’s mention- Purana lists 10

avataras.
Three— Narayana, Narasimha, and Mahabharata refers to Valmiki and the
Vamana—were divine, and Ramayana, and outlines the Rama story in a
section
seven—Dattatreya, Mandhatri, called the Ramopakhyana
Rama (son of Jamadagni), Ramayana in turn mentions the Kurus
Rama (son of Dasharatha), Hastinapura, and Janamejaya
Vedavyasa,
Buddha, and Kalki— were human.

The Vayu Purana lists Narayana,

Narasimha, Vamana, Dattatreya,
Mandhata, Jamadagnya, Rama,
Vedavyasa, Krishna, and Kalki
Origin of Text- Ramayana?
Origin - ?
Ramayana between the 5th/4th century BCE and the 3rd century CE

24000 Shlokas- composed by Mahirshi Valmiki

epic consists of seven Kandas (books), of which the first (Bala Kanda) and last (Uttara
Kanda) are later interpolations

Rama lived in the treta yuga (age) and

the Mahabharata war happened later, in the dvapara yuga

the centre of political gravity had clearly shifted

eastwards, to the middle Ganga valley

Ramayana exists in the form of two main recensions—northern and southern

north-eastern, north-western, and western

Valmiki appears in the Balakanda, where he is inspired to compose the epic

in the Uttarakanda, where he gives refuge to Sita who has been disowned by Rama
Origin – Story ?

basic story is about Rama, prince of Kosala;

his banishment to the forest due to the intrigues of his wicked stepmother;
the abduction of his wife Sita by Ravana, the king of Lanka;
Sita’s rescue; and Rama’s return to the
capital, Ayodhya, to become king.

The compact vocabulary and style indicate that the core of the text was the work of a
single individual, traditionally identified as Valmiki
History of Ayodhya- Archeological
evidences ?
Ayodhya- Historical Significance - Archaeology?

indicated the existence of a settlement here from the Northern Black Polished Ware
(NBPW) phase, which may go back at the earliest to c. 700 BCE

Ayodhya- Capital of Kosalan Kingdom

Ikshvaku Dynasty
King Rama marries to Videhan Princess Sita

King Prasanejit
Parshvanath- 23rd Tirthankar

Sringaverapura as a place where the sage Rishyashringa had his hermitage, and
where Rama crossed the Ganga during his journey into exile
Ayodhya- Ramayana- Historical Significance ?

Ramayana- Origin of Taxila - King Bharata

founded the town in the name of his son, Taksha

mentions about the settlement of Sakas in Post Mauryan period

The Ayodhya inscription of Dhandeva makes a reference to two horse sacrifices

performed by Pushyamitra.
“The Pushyamitram Yajamahe”

“The copper coins issued by Chandragupta II are generally found in and around
Ayodhya.
Ramayana- Vedic Age?

Rama Stands for Indra

The war between Rama and Ravana is compared to the struggle between Indra and
Vritra.

Ramayana, idealistic, in their respective handling of human characters. Sita in

Ramayana is all that a woman could or should be, and is impressive by her
sweetness and devotion.

Dasratha consulted the people on the question of the appointment of Rama as

Yuvaraja. When both Rama and Bharata were away, the people suggested the
election of another king.

Ramayana, King Dasaratha summoned the important feudatories and neighbouring

kings at the time of the selection of Rama as Yuvaraj or heir-apparent. It is to be
noticed that there was no meeting of the people as such to approve of the proposal of
the king. Moreover, the approval as such had practically no meaning as nothing could
prevent the exile of Rama.
Versions of Ramayana- Mentions ?
Jaina, Buddhist
Regional languages
Other literary mentions

Outside India
Versions of Ramayana- ?

Jaina version (the Paumachariu of Vimalasuri, in Prakrit),

in the Paumachariu, Ravana is presented as a tragic hero who is killed
by Lakshmana, not by Rama (who embodies all the Jaina virtues, including
nonviolence)

Buddhist version (the Dasharatha Jataka in Pali),

Sangam History- Rama tells his brother Lakshmana on the way to Agastya’s
hermitage that this sage had fought the asuras (demons) and had made the Dandaka
forest fit for the habitation of Aryas
Mentions of Ramayana- ?

Kalidas – wrote Raghuvamsha

revised the poem Setubandha (building of the bridge which took the army of Rama to
the island of Lanka) by King Pravarasena. This king was Pravarasena II of the
Vakataka dynasty.

Kalidasa refers to Rama as an incarnation of Vishnu and there is a temple dedicated

to Rama at Ramtek near Nagpur,

Pratima Nataka- written by Bhasa

when Bharata,the younger brother of Rama, saw images of his father Dasharatha
along with three of his ancestors in a pratima-griha (statue house), he realized that his
father was dead, as only statues of dead kings were placed in such a house

Author- Bhatti wrote Bhattikavya or Ravanavadha

Compiled in 7th Century CE
epics the life history of Rama, from his birth up to the time of Ravana’s death
Mentions of Ramayana- ?

Kumaradasa wrote- Janaki Harana

Gurjara Pratihara-
considered the epic hero Lakshmana as their hero, who he served as the door-keeper
to his brother Rama, the Pratiharas took on their title which literally means ‘’door-
keeper’’

Rajashekha- author at Kannauj- wrote Bala Ramayana

Ravana’s worship- Ravana worshipping Rudra in the linga form

Ramayana describes Uma as the daughter of Himavat and the sister of Ganga
Versions of Ramayana- Regional languages ?

Sandhyakara Nandi’s Ramacharita is a Sanskrit work with double meaning,

simultaneously narrating the story of the Ramayana and of Ramapala, an 11th/12th
century king of Bengal

12th century Tamil version by Kamban (the Iramavataram) or Ramanataka written

during Chola period

Narahari composed Torave Ramayana, which is said to be the first story- Kannada
Jaimini Bharata- written by Lakshmisha

Kannada literature- Nagachandra or Abhinava Pampa wrote the Ramachandracharitra

Purana, one of many Jaina versions of the Rama story.

Kakatiya Dynasty- King Pratapruda-

Author- Sakalya Malla or Mullubhatta- wrote Niroshthya-Ramayana.
Tikanna- Nirvachanoltara-Ramayanam
Bhaskara- Ramayanam (a composite work of five authors) and the Ranganatha-
Ramayanam (Buddharaja).
Versions of Ramayana- Medieval India ?

the Ramcharitmanas (16th century) by Tulsidas

Rama was a personal and Supreme God who had feelings of compassion for the
suffering humanity.

“There is one God. It is Rama, creator of heaven and earth and redeemer of
mankind. For the sake of his faithful people, a very God, Lord Rama became
incarnate as a king and for our sanctification lived as it were the life of an ordinary
man.”

नाम राम को कलपत+ क,ल क-यान /नवास।ु

जो स,ु मरन भयो माँग त8 तल
ु सी तल
ु सीदास।ु ।

कलयग ु संसार म, -सफ/ राम नाम ह2 ऐसा क4पव8

ृ है , जो मनोवां=छत फल @दान करने
वाला और परम क4याणकार2 है . इसका स-ु मरन करने से तलु सी भांग से बदलकर तलु सी के
समान हो गए हK. यानी काम, भोग, लोभ, वासना, मोह आMद Nवषय NवकारP से मQ ु त होकर
पNवR, =नदSष और ईUवर के N@य हो गए हK.
Versions of Ramayana- Medieval India ?

Akbar- Abul Fazl mentions about translation of several texts

Ramayana, Bhagwata Gita and several Upanishads
Abdul Qadir Badauni made to translate it
Significance of Ramayana- Bhakti Movement ?

Bhakti Saint- Ramananda - Devotee of Rama

introduced the cult of Rama and Sita in place of Narayana and Lakshmi as the
objects of worship.

Dharakari- devotee of Lord Rama

Shivaji’s journey as a child

Maharashtra-
Marathi Bhakti Movement- Eknath
Wrote commentary of Ramayana

Ramdas- Bhakti Saint- Dharkari

Rama was one of the names given to God by Guru Nanak

Significance of Ramayana- ?

performance—sculpture, painting, plays, dance

dramas, and television serials
Significance of Ramayana- Temple Art ?
Deogarh Temple- departure of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita to the jungles, their visits to
Agastya Rishi, the cutting of the nose of Surpanakha by Lakshmana,

Pattadakal Temples- Chalukyan Dynasty

Temple walls depicts scenes of Ramayana & Mahabharata

Papanatha temple- outer walls are ornamented with many panels depicting scenes and
characters from the Ramayana , accompanied by label inscriptions

Chola -Sculpture group of three bronzes of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita with Hanuman at
their feet from Tirukkadaiyur (Tanjore District) is one of the finest products of Chola
bronze-making

Ravana Shaking Kailash

Ramayana Images sculpted at Ellora- Kailash Temple

Hazare Rama temple, an excellent example of

Deccan architecture- Vijaynagara Style
mural paintings were executed on Veerabhadra temple walls at Lepakshi in 16th
century
Significance of Ramayana- Paintings?
mural paintings were executed on Veerabhadra temple walls at
Lepakshi in 16th century

Mewar School of Paintings- Sahibdin’s depiction of literary texts -

the
Ragamala, the Ramayana and the Bhagavata Purana

Amber- Jaipur School of Painting

Sawai Pratap Singh- Surat Khana

Basholi School of Painting- 17th Century

Depicts Ramaya Drawings
Raja Kirpal Pal

Madhubani Paintings- King of Mithila- Raja Janak told people of

his kingdom to paint walls and floors of their houses on the
marriage of Sita and Rama
Significance of Ramayana- Dance Forms Art ?
Kathakali, Kuchipudi- themes of Ramayana performed

Dalkhai- Odissa Festival-

Events of Ramayana

Ramlila- folk theatre in UP

Enactment of Ramayana , Communal Harmony , UNESCO Intangible
heritage list- 2008

Maach- Folk theatre in MP

Ramayana theme .
dialogues, which are delivered in the form
of couplets known as Rangat Dohas

Villu Paatu- bow Song from Kerala & TN

Stories of Ramayana narrated- bow shaped instruments

Pavakoothu- glove puppet from Kerala

Puppet version of Kathakali
Ramayana narration
Significance of Ramayana- Indian National Movement- ?

Gandhi asked Hindu women to join the political movement.

In a series of articles and speeches on British atrocities in the

Punjab, Gandhi compared the British rulers to the demon Ravana
who
abducted Sita.

Under colonialism, the enslaved people were losing all sense

of dharma.

Restoration of the rule of Ram would come only when women,

emulating the faithful and brave Sita, united with men against this
immoral ruler
Versions of Ramayana- ?

Outside India-
Wayung- Shadow Play in SE Asia

Thailand- Ramakein- Thai Version of Ramayana

- King Rama VI
City name- Ayutthaya birth place of King Rama 1
Came to Thailand as a part of exchanges

Cambodia- Reamker- called as national epic

Khmer Community-

Angkor Wat Temple , scenes of Ramayana

depicted
Baphuon Temple- Rama vs Ravana battle
depicted
Hindu culture in Kambuja, many of its towns had
Indian names, e.g., Tamrapura, Vikrampura,
Dhruvapura, Adhyapura,
Versions of Ramayana- ? Korea– Samguk Yasa

Outside India- Japan- Rama Ten

Malaysia- Hikayat Seri Rama
Mangolia- Dari Rama
Indonesia- Yogyakarta (Indonesia)
Kakawin Rāmâyaṇa is a kakawin,
the Javanese form of kāvya
Ramakavaca- Bali
Ramayana Swarnadwipa- Sumatra
ancient art of wayang kulit (shadow puppetry),
the legend of Ramayana
Bali Island-
Mahabharata and the Ramayana are found
there although not in Sanskrit but in Kawi.

Vietnam - Truyen Kieu"

Ramayana- Ethics- What values we learn ?
Lord Rama had all 13 qualities of a great person and is called
“Maryadapurushottam”
Ramayana- calld as Adikavya/Mahakavya – Significance ?

Gives 4 fold objectives- Purushartha

Artha- Lakshmana
Dharma- Rama
Kama – Bharata
Moksha – Shatrughan

Pairing of Dharma & Artha- Hence Rama & Lakshmana together – Material
development with righteousness

Kama & Moksha – Bharat & Shatrughan

Artha & kama cant be together – hence no pairing of Lakshmana & Bharata
Kama should never become hurdle in the path o dharma

considered to be the victory of good over evil

Ramayana- Ethics- What values we learn ?

Empathy- compassionate ruler, be sensitive

Adress issues of masses
Family Values-
Respect- value opinions of his advisors Not having bitter relations with others
Treat them with dignity Kept his fathers promise
don’t think about social status Lakshamana joined Lord Rama – sharing of
Smallest matters- eg. Ram Setu- use of Squirrels responsibility under challenging time
Shabri- tasting fruits
Kausalyas decicison to affect rama
Sacrifice & Patience- Commitment Case of how a person’s life is affected with
Not luring for seat/power others emotions

Family Values- adverse situation in life—if we correctly take

Not having bitter relations with others negative of life. These unfavorable situations
Kept his fathers promise make us strong

Don’t break rules- Exile lessons- he pursues his potentials, self-

Eg. Lakshman Rekha fulfillment, personal growth, the peak
experience of transcendence
In the end- Victory of Goodness over Evil
Ramayana- Ethics- What values we learn ?
Integrity- Not accepting what is not belongs to you
Trutfulness- Eg. Bharata never crowned himself
Never lie- upheld truth even at the cost of his own
happiness Importance of Righteousness- Maryada Purshotaam

Honesty- never indulge in deceitful activities Dedication Matters-

Compasssion- welfare of subjects, help others, work Relationship of Rama & Hanumana – True Love &
for others wellbeing affection

Forgiveness- Lord Rama even forgave his enemies- Raghukul reet sada chali aayi, praan jaye par vachan
treat them with kindness and respect na jaye
Tool that can bring peace and harmony in society
Self-Control- in all ways- actions & emotions. Remain
calm & composed in all situations even in case of
extreme provocation

Integrity- be true to your word. No compromise on

principles
Fairness- all dealings- be impartial and fair
Ramayana- Historical Significance ?

Womenhood- importance
Brahmavidii- Anasuya wife of sage Atri
Sabri- disciple of Matanga
Sita
Significance of Ramayana- Current- Tourism ?