'Ramayana'

 'Ramayana' is one of the eighteen classic epics attributed to Sage Vedavyasa. It may be treated as a mythologic study, or an ancient historic event of Ayodhya King Dasharatha. It is dated back to just 3599 years said to be of Treta Yuga! We do not have a clear-cut idea about these yugas since the present Kaliyuga itself is said to be of 432 000 years duration! We have a Gregorian Calendar, a Hindu Panchanga (Almanac), and many others, that speak a different story.

  Today, we are celebrating Ramanavami on March 30, 2023. This day is celebrated as the Birth Day of Shree Ram. We also celebrate another day during Dussehra as 'Vijaya Dashami' when Shree Ram returned victorious in the Battle against Ravana, King of Lanka. The epic story of Ramayana is traced to Sri Narada Muni, followed by Valmiki Rishi. Almost 300 versions of Ramayana are there, spread over almost all of South and South-east Asia, particularly Thailand, and even Egypt, as some authors believe! The 'Rama-Rajya' extended far and wide at a time when there were no other Kingdoms, There were no other religious sects beside the Hindus, and this continued into the next Dvapara yuga. The devotees of Shree Krishna were known as the 'Bhagavat'. 

  Today we find many a different religious faction due to historical and geographical factors. Some followed the preaching or what is believed to be the 'Words of God' and, some followers believed in the 'Messengers of God. There is nothing wrong in all these, unless these lead to factions creating ill-will, strife and fighting.  All religious faiths should follow the central theme of universal brotherhood and peace as enshrined in 'vasudhaiva kutumbakam' (All people of the World as one family), and 'Let there be Peace', Shntih. 

 The Hindus worship almost 33, 333,00 00 Gods and Goddesses. The Hindus worship plants, animals, birds, monkeys and elderly people as Gods. Divinity is inherent in all, since all creation is the manifest aspect of God. Some sects treat spiritual leaders and attained souls, as 'avatars' or incarnations. 'The King is God' is ancient concept. The descendants of Sri Ram are still there and the King of Thailand is carrying the same name 'Ram'.

  There are beautiful accounts of Shree Ramachandra's life in Ramayana written by Kalidasa, Valmiki, Tulsidas, and many others. In some of these accounts, the authors have portrayed the Queen Kaikeyi as jealous and the cause for Rama's exile in forests for 12 +1 years! But, it should be remembered that Kaikeyi was very fond of the 'First-born' beautiful child Rama and took special care of him. It is common knowledge that children spend much time with their aunts when their mother is busy in household. Kaikeyi was very fond of Ramachandra and wanted him to be properly taken care of and trained for a just and able ruler of the Kingdom. She wanted him to travel far and wide in the kingdom and study the problems. In fact, Sage Vashishta also taught vairagya (Renunciation) that is much desired for a good King who should rule without fear or favor. 

  The City of Ayodhya where Ramachandra was born is now being renovated and will be ready by this year-end. Ayodhya city on the bank of R. Sarayu is a beautiful historic place and the deities- Sri Ram-Sita are being sculpted afresh now. Nepal has sent Shalagram, Basalt (Black Stone) for this purpose. The new Temple is designed after the original plan.. Archeological studies are still going on to collect details about the proof, like the Ram Setu, a bridge connecting Sri Lanka with the Mainland Bharat. Today, the sea level has risen and it is a fact that changes of sea level do take place over thousands of years. There was a time when sea level was very low and people could easily walk over from Asia to Australia. The Kangaroo that carries its baby in its pouch is an example, These flourished in Australia (that became an Island due to rise in sea level), but perished in Asia (due to physical restraints). Climate changes over long periods of thousands of years and bring enormous change in the ecosystem and biotic life. These are subject matters of ancient geography and history.

 There is no doubt as to the exact the birth-place of Shree Ram, or the antecedents of Sri Ram that is traced to the Ikshvaku Dynasty, the worshipers of Sun-God, Vivasvan. The epic Ramayana attributed to Sage Narada, Vedavyasa, Kalidasa and Valmiki are all very interesting. There are geographical descriptions in these texts. Many beautiful accounts of the story of Sri Rama, Defied, an avatar of Vishnu, are there. Tulsidasa's Ramacharita Manasa is very popular. Kalidasa's Raghuvamsha, and Ramayana of Kamban, also R K Narayan's version as well as K.V. Puttappa's Ramayana Darshanam are all beautiful versions. The list of authors who wrote their own versions of Ramayana are almost 300 according to an estimate.

  Prince Ramachandra son of King Dasharatha is from Ayodhya. Devi Sita is said to be daughter of King of Koppal, near Hospet (Karnataka), and Hanuman is also from Anjanadri near Koppal, later on adopted by King Janaka of Nepal. So both Devi Sita and Anjaneya are from Hosapete, Karnataka. Anjanadri, Pampa Sarovar, near Hampi and Koppal are famous mythological places. Koppal has a long history that needs an in-depth study and nothing much is known, as yet. Thus, Ramayana takes us on a long journey from Ayodhya to Nepal and then to Sri Lanka via Karnataka. 

 According to Adhyatma Ramayana, everything is Self, the Soul (Atman). Ra is Atman and Ma is the Mother Earth (the body fed by food obtained from earth!). Anjaneya is the Deity of Life-Force (Prana Deva). Lakshmana is the nervous system that supports the body. So everything is our own story, Ramayana. 

  In fact, Sita, is represented by the three antah-karanas (inner instruments)- the Mind, Intellect and ego (Manas, Buddhi and ahankara). Prajnya (Consciousness) is carried away by the viscious mind (vikshipta manah). 

  As the story of Ramayana goes, King Dasharatha was worried about the future of the kingdom without a legal heir. There came a saint at the palace and offered him a fruit and asked him to share it with his Wives. However, the saint also told the King that the first son is an incarnation (avatar purusha) of Vishnu. According to another story, King Dasharatha performed a sacrificial ritual (yajnya) and got the blessings of the Devatas. Ramachandra was born to Queen Kaushalya, Lakshmana and Shatrughna are born to Queen Sumitra. Bharata was born to Kaikeyi, Shree Rama is said to be born under Karkataka Rashi (Capricorn Constellation), Punarvasu nakshatra, caturtha charana (last quarter), to be precise, at 12.30 pm on January 19, 5114 BCE. 

  As regards, introduction of Anjaneys (Hanuman) into Ramayana, there is a story that Shiva came in disguise with a monkey and was playing some tricks in front of the Child Ramachandra. The child wanted that monkey and Shiva promised that He would send the monkey to help him later in a time of his distress. Thus, Hanuman was introduced to Ramachandra very early in his childhood. 

 Prince Ramachandra along with his brothers was taught by Great Sages Vashishta and Vishvamitra. Sage Vashishta teaches him the need for renunciation for a king in order to be selfless, deliver equity and justice, to protect the pious, weak and infirm and rule the country without fear or favor. Shree Ramachandra became very popular as a noble king and was known far and wide. Later, Shree Ramachandra came to be known as God, 'Defied', during his lifetime for his kindness, just and fair rule. 

  There is a well-known adage, "God created man and, Man created Gods". The very concept of 'God' is something that needs a very careful study and understanding. Each one of us may have our individual opinion about God based on our faith and belief system. For some, God may personally appear and talk, whereas for some, God sends a Messenger! In fact, the idol of different Gods are carved or chiseled by sculptors depending on the images they visualized in their dreams, like Jakkanachari. Beautiful idols of Channakeshava at Belur, Sharadamba at Sringeri, Narasimha Swamy, Yoga Narayana and Suryadeva and Lakshmi devi in Halasi, near Belagavi, are good examples. The famous statue of Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Veera Narayana (Gadag) are all beautiful artifacts, The list is endless since we find temples of Shiva, Hanuman, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and other Gods and Goddesses in every village and town of India.

  For most of us, every jiva is a manifest form of God and one has to live and work to manifest it! The Hindus believe in Gods as the savior and this firm faith in the Gods save them. Faith is life and life depends on firm faith and trust in God. The other factors that govern our life (as we believe?) are: 1. Luck; 2. Karma (prarabhda, sanchita and agami), the carryover of the fruits of good deeds (purva punya) or bad deeds (Karmaphala) ; and, 3. Blessings of the elders, teachers and parents (Ashirvada). Divine Grace (Daiva anugraha) is very important for a happy, joyful life, but it is the prerogative of the Gods to bless us with that!