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- 1. India's Epic Tale: TheRamayana Ms. Tricia A. Paras EMC 104: Mythology and Folklore
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- 3. Rama Sita • sonof King Dasaratha and Queen Kausalya, Rama is the prince of Ayodya. • He is an avatara of Vishnu, the Blue God and the sustainer of worlds. • He is also a virtuous, strong, and just man in his own right. • He is married to Sita, whom he loves deeply. He has a strong bond with his brother Lakshmana as well. • Sita's father, King Janak, found her lying in a furrow on sanctified ground and decided to raise her as his daughter. • She marries Rama and loves him so much that she follows him into exile. • She is famed for her virtue and beauty and is regarded as an avatara of the goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort.
- 4. Ravana Lakshmana • Ravanais a rakshasa who performed penance for the God Siva for many years, and in return received a great blessing from the God: he cannot be killed by any God, demon, or other divine being. • His arrogance combined, with great intelligence and power, has led him to rule over much of the earth, spreading terrible evil everywhere he goes. • Son of King Dasaratha, and brother of Rama. • He is deeply devoted to his brother, whom he follows through many dangerous adventures and quests. • He is married to Sita's younger sister, Urmila.
- 5. King Dasaratha Viswamitra • Kingof Ayodhya, father of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. • Of all his three sons, he loves Rama most deeply, and tries to shelter the boy from any danger. • He is a good king: kind, just and well-liked by his people. • is a great sage and wise man who was once a king. • Through long meditation, he gained a number of magical powers. • He takes Rama on a quest to defeat a demon and to lift the bow of Siva, the first step in the future king's great journey.
- 6. Ganga Siva • Ganga isa goddess, the daughter of Himavan. Because of her incomparable beauty, she was given to the Devas, and she became the Milky Way. • Later, Siva brought her down to earth and she became the river Ganges. • Siva is part of the great trinity in Hindusim, along with Vishnu and Brahma. • He is a great ascetic, and often sits in meditation. • He can tame the power of other gods, devas, and supernatural beings, and he often grants blessings and wishes to those who sit in dedication meditation ('tapasya'). • His wife is Parvati.
- 7. Lava Kusha • Alongwith Kusha, one of the youths to whom Valmiki taught the Ramayana that he received from Narada. • He is one of the sons of Rama, but he does not know this. • Along with Lava, one of the youths to whom Valmiki taught the Ramayana that he received from Narada. • He is one of the sons of Rama, but he does not know this.
- 8. Vasishta Rishyaringa • Guruto King Dasaratha, he offers religious advice to the king and the royal family. • A great rishi: he presides over the sacrifice that King Dasaratha offers in order to get a son. • He is sometimes depicted as a combination of a deer and a man.
- 9. Tataka Kaikeyi • Abeautiful woman who was transformed into a demon (rakshasi) when she tried to seduce the rishi Agastya. • As a demon, she drinks the blood of living creatures and kills anything she can see. • In one of his first great acts, Rama breaks her curse by slaying her. • The third and youngest wife of King Dasaratha, and mother of Bharata. • She is famed for her beauty. • After she saved the life of Dasaratha in battle, he offered to grant anything she would ask of him. • She later calls in this favor to have Bharata crowned king and Rama sent into the forest, inspired by the worlds of her maid, Manthara.
- 10. Sumitra Kausalya • Secondwife of Dasaratha. She is the mother of Lakshmana and Shatrughna. • The first wife of Dasaratha and mother of Rama. • She is the oldest wife, and very kind and wise. • She does not have a close relationship with her husband, but she loves her son Rama very deeply.
- 11. Manthara Guha • Anold maid of Kaikeyi's. • She is a wicked woman and gives Kaikeyi the idea to ask Dasaratha to exile Rama and crown Bharata king instead. • King of the hunters, he rules near the wilderness in Shringiberapura. • He is fiercely loyal to Rama.
- 12. Bharata Shatrughna • Sonof King Dasaratha and Queen Kaikeyi, he is half- brother to Rama, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. • He is devoted to his brother Rama, and he tries desperately to undo the damage committed by his mother Kaikeyi. • Son of King Dasaratha and Queen Sumitra (she drank two sips from the sacred cup, and consequently had twins). • His twin brother is Lakshmana, and his half- brothers are Rama and Bharata. • He follows his brother Bharata everywhere.
- 13. Sumantra Surpanakha • Chiefcounselor of Dasaratha. • He is the one who unwillingly brings Rama into exile. • The sister of Ravana, she is a powerful rakshasi. • She attempts to seduce Rama and kill Sita, but the princely brothers attack her. • She tries to muster the rakshasa army against Rama.
- 14. Maricha Khara • Arakshasa, uncle of Ravana. • Rama defeated him with a purifying magical weapon, and he renounced his evil ways to become a rishi. • A rakshasa, cousin to Ravana. • He rules the area of Janasthana, near the forest of Rama's exile. • He is very powerful and likes to kill rishis and despoil sacred rituals.
- 15. Jatayu Kabandha • Apowerful golden eagle who speaks in the voice of a human being. • He was loyal to King Dasaratha and pledged his service to Rama. • He dies defending Sita from Ravana. • A terrible rakshasa who has the form of a body with no legs or head -- only arms and a gaping mouth. • He was transformed into this ugly shape by Indra; formerly, he was a celestial archer. • He tells the brothers to seek Sugriva, the prince of vanaras.
- 16. Sugriva Hanuman • Therightful king of the vanaras, a race of magical monkeys. • He was usurped by his brother Vali and pledges his service to Rama and Lakshmana if they can restore him to his throne. • Advisor to Sugriva. He is the son of the wind god Vayu and a vanari woman.
- 17. Angada Vibheeshana • Avanara youth, son of Vali and nephew of Sugriva. • He is brave and intelligent. • Young brother of Ravana. • Though he is a rakshasa, he is wise and good. • When Ravana refuses to listen to his counsel, he joins Rama's army.
- 18. Sampati Jambavan • Agreat golden eagle, brother of Jatayu. • His wings were burned when he flew too close to the son. • King of the Riksharaj (magical bears). • He is an ally of Sugriva and Rama. • He is known for his gentle wisdom and quiet strength.
- 19. Indrajit Kumbhakarna • Thefavorite son of Ravana, and his most powerful warrior. • He earned his name after he captured Indra, the king of the gods. • Ravana's brother. • He is a giant with infinite strength who sleeps for six months at a time before waking up and eating everything he can see.
- 20. Agastya • An elderlyand extremely powerful rishi who blesses Rama. • Later when Rama is king of Ayodhya, he comes to Rama's palace and tells him secret tales about the people he met on his journeys.
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- 22. • Adharma- Notaccording to dharma; evil. • Adharmi- A person who doesn't act according to dharma. • Agni- Fire; also, the name of the Hindu god of fire. • Anjali- An offering. • Artha- Wealth and possessions. Artha is one of the four goals in life (the others are dharma, kama, and moksha). • Asrama- A hermitage: a place where wise men live. • Astra- Divine weapon. • Asura- One type of demon or supernatural being. • Atman- The individual soul.
- 23. • Avatara- Incarnationof a God, especially Vishnu. • Bhakti- Love, devotion. ('Bhakta' refers to a devoted person.) • Bharatavarsha- The land of Bharata; India. • Brahmana- Member of the priestly class; one of Brahma's people. ('Brahman' refers to this caste as well.) • Deva- Any of a class of celestial, elemental beings. • Dharma- Truth, justice, duty. The right path. • Guru- Spiritual teacher or guide; master. • Gyana- Knowledge, wisdom. • Hatya- Murder.
- 24. • Jitendriya- Onewho has conquered his senses. • Kavya- Poem. • Kshatriya- A member of the caste of royal warriors. • Kula- Clan. • Maharathika- A great warrior. • Mantra- A sacred incantation. • Maya- Cosmic illusion ('Maya' also refers to the goddess of illusion). • Muni- A sage or seer; silent one; knower of minds. • Moksha- Liberation from this lower earthly realm; freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth; enlightenment.
- 25. • Pativrata- Adevoted wife. • Puja- Ritual worship. • Punya- Virtue; merit. • Rakshasa- A vicious type of demon (feminine form is 'rakshasi'). • Rig Veda- The first Veda, one of the most holy books in Hinduism. • Rishi- A sage, mystic; a wise man who meditates in the forest or in an ashram. • Samsara- The world of illusion; the world we inhabit presently. • Shakti- Feminine power or weapon. • Shastra- Scripture; holy text.
- 26. • Sudra- Amember of the fourth Hindu caste; one of the laborers or workers. • Tapasya- Act of penance or forbearance (fasting, enduring heat or cold, etc.) that develops one's spiritual powers and wins favor with the gods. • Vabdhi- A singer, sage, or bard. • Vana- Jungle; forest. • Vanara- An ancient and magical race of monkeys. • Vina- An ancient Indian stringed instrument, similar to a lute. • Vrata- A vow.
- 27. • Yoga- Literally,"Union." Refers to the union of the self with God through spiritual exercises (a male who practices yoga is called a 'yogi'; a female is called a 'yogini'). • Yatra- A journey, often with religious significance. • Yagna- A ritual or sacrifice.
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- 29. Born during anage when the demon Ravana terrorized the world, Rama is the virtuous, wise, and powerful prince of Ayohya. As a young man, he is able to accomplish what no other man has ever done: he lifts and strings the bow of Siva, and by so doing her earns the right to marry the beautiful Sita. The Ramayana Summary
- 30. Just when heis about to ascend the throne of Ayodhya, his father Dasaratha is forced to exile him for fourteen years to the forest due to a vow made long ago. Unruffled, Rama accepts his exile; his wife Sita and his loyal brother Lakshmana accompany him. In the forest, the princely brothers kill many demons and visit many wise men and women. The Ramayana Summary
- 31. The evil demonRavana hears of Sita's beauty and kidnaps her. He has fallen in love with her and tries to seduce her, but she rebuffs his advances for nearly ten months. The Ramayana Summary
- 32. Desperate to winher back, Rama and Lakshmana form an alliance with the monkey king Sugriva and invade Lanka with an army of monkeys. After many violent battles, Rama defeats Ravana and wins back Sita. He is concerned that she has been unfaithful during her long captivity, and so Sita undergoes a trial by fire to prove her chastity. Rama takes her back, and they return to rule Ayodhya for many wonderful years. The Ramayana Summary
- 33. In another versionof the tale, Rama hears his people gossiping about Sita's imagined indiscretions, and he banishes her to the forest, where she gives birth to Rama's twin sons. Sita and the children confront him years later; he tries to explain his harsh actions to Sita, but she vanishes into the earth to escape him. The Ramayana Summary
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- 35. Romantic Love • Acentral focus is the love between Sita and Rama. As incarnations of the goddess Lakshmi and the god Vishnu, they have literally been made for each other. • They fall in love at first sight, and their relationship is characterized by harmony and devotion. • Sita follows Rama into exile out of her love for him, and she refuses Ravana's advances at great risk to herself because of her loyalty to her husband. • Rama, in turn, defends Sita fiercely and cares for her tenderly. For centuries, the love between Rama and Sita has been a model relationship for South Asians.
- 36. The Perfect Man •Rama is the time-honored symbol of the perfect man: he is generous, just, merciful, the master of his emotions, and a valiant warrior. • He is a dedicated son and a loyal husband. Other characters exemplify perfect virtues as well. • Sita, with her perfect devotion to her husband, is the eternal symbol of the perfect woman and wife. • Lakshmana, who never leaves his brother's side despite the horrible dangers, is the image of the perfect brother. • Hanuman, witty, loyal, and wise, is the perfect advisor.
- 37. Dharma • A centralconcept in Hinduism and Indian philosophy, dharma may be translated as truth, justice, and duty. • It refers to the central purpose of a particular being, as well as the correct path that she or he should follow in this world. • Dharma also describes a conduct defined by truth and justice, which is divinely commanded. • Populated with perfect characters, the Ramayana offers a playbook for how to behave with virtue and dharma in the world.
- 38. Brotherly Love • Lakshmanais an exemplar of brotherly love. He is never envious of his more accomplished brother Rama and supports him in his every adventure. • When they are still boys, Lakshmana accompanies Rama into the forest to defeat the rakshasa Tataka, having full faith in his brother despite their youth and inexperience. • Rama tells Lakshmana that he is like part of his own body; Rama is never more devastated than when Lakshmana falls injured on the battlefield.
- 39. Good and Evil •In the Ramayana, good and evil are diametrically opposed forces, locked in eternal combat. They are frequently represented as a contrast between human/god and rakshasa. • The rakshasas exhibit a number of vices (violence, blasphemous impulses, sexual indiscretions), while the righteous humans are exemplars of every virtue. • Though good and evil are opposed, the Ramayana suggests that they are not innate but rather the result of choice. • Some rakshasas have been turned into demons as punishment for a transgression, while previous virtuous human beings can become wicked when they choose to abandon the path of dharma.
- 40. Combat • Large portionsof the Ramayana describe incredible battles between Rama and various wicked rakshasa. • These battles are intense and described in evocative prose, featuring a great deal of violence and magical weapons. Rama's success in combat is part of his identity as the perfect man, an unconquered warrior. • The centrality of combat in the Ramayana may also be symbolic: the rakshasas symbolize the evil impulses in every person, which must be destroyed in order for the soul to be made pure.
- 41. Human and Divine •The differences and similarities between human and divine are a major theme in the Ramayana. • Rama himself is the incarnation of a god, but much of his goodness is the result of his own personal choices rather than this divine heritage. • Rama has been born into the world because an enormously powerful rakshasa, Ravana, cannot be killed by any deity or supernatural creature; the gods themselves are unable to defeat them. • In some ways, some human beings and vanaras (magical monkeys) are superior to the gods in their virtuous conduct. However, the gods still have the power to offer boons to mortals, such as weapons and invincibility.
- 42. The Significance of TheRamayana in Indian Culture The Ramayana is an epic story that illustrates the triumph of good over evil. It teaches about love, loyalty, and respect for one's duty. Rama and Sita are the main characters who embody these values.
- 43. The Ramayana isnot just a story, it's a lesson that teaches us to be virtuous, to love deeply, and to make sacrifices when necessary.
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