The Ramayana

Ramayana, a Hindu epic, written by saint Valmiki, in Sanskrit one of the two largest ancient epics, the first ever poem ever created many many centuries ago. It depicts story of Lord Rama as a kind, fair, brave, soft spoken, handsome prince, who had the kind benevolence of gods. Himself an avatar of lord Vishnu he was bestowed with divine, powerful weapons of gods to be used to fight evil forces. He won over his consort, Sita, daughter of King Janak, in a 'swayamvar', a competition. Keeping the tradition of honouring a given word or promise at all costs, a tradition of his sun god lineage he went to forest for fourteen years obeying his father, King Dashrath and forsake the throne of Ayodhya for his younger brother Bharata, as demanded by Queen Kaikayi, the mother of Bharatha. He went to forests with Sita and younger brother Lakshman. There, he often killed many demons who had terrorised and killed saints worshipping peacefully in their holy monasteries, on latter's requests. In the 14th year of his banishment, along with younger brother Lakshman, with help from his follower Hanuman, and, King of monkeys, Sugreev, he fought with King of Lanka, Ravana a demon King, who had kidnapped Sita and had wanted to marry her. After this victory of right over wrong, and freeing Sita and killing Ravana he returned to his kingdom Ayodhya and became the king himself theteafter. Ramayana, steeped in morality, depicts duties of relationships, portraying characters, ideal in nature, like ideal son, ideal father, ideal servant, ideal brother, ideal husband and ideal king.  Ramayana has greatly influenced Hindu poetry, life and culture, thereafter. Presenting teachings of ancient Hindu sages in narrative allegory, it intermixes philosophical and ethical elements. The characters of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Ravana are still revered and worshipped, in some of the culturally conscious South and East Asian nations even today. Two great Hindu festivals, Dussehra and Deepawali are celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil, in India and elsewhere with fervor and gaiety, every year. 8.6.2020