RAMCHARITMANAS
(Ramayana)
Ramayan describes the Divine Lilas of Shri Ram who descended on the earth planet in Ayodhya from His Divine abode, Saket, along His brothers
Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrugahn. The eternal consort of Ram, Goddess Sita, had descended in Mithila, the kingdom of King
Janak, who was also called Videhi. Sage Valmiki wrote the Ramayan (called Valmiki Ramayan) in Sanskrit language,
while living in his hut as he saw all the Lilas of Shri Ram from his Divine eyes. Ved Vyas, about 5,000 years ago, reproduced the Valmiki Ramayan.
The word Ramayana is composed of two words Rama (Lord Rama) and ayana ("going, advancing"), translating to "Rama's Journey". Ramayana explores human values and the concept of dharma.
The Ramayana
takes place during a period of time known as Treta Yuga. Ramayana is not just a story: it presents the teachings of
ancient Sanatana Dharma in narrative parable, combining both philosophical and devotional
elements. The Ramayana has
been a continuing source of spiritual, cultural and artistic inspiration. The
famous versions of Ramayana
include Shri RamCharitManas by Goswami
Tulasidas and Kambar’s
Kambaraamayanam.
Ramcharitmanas,
means "The Lake of Life and Deeds
of Lord Shri Rama". Sri
Ramcharitmanas is a great scripture and poetic classic written by Tulsidas Goswami. This scripture
elaborates the divine life and deeds of Lord
Rama. Sri Ramcharitmanas bestows
upon its readers the gifts of Devotion (Bhakti),
Divine Knowledge (Gyan) and
Salvation (Mukti). Originally it was
written in "Awadhi" (An Indo-Aryan Language) around 16th century at Varanasi, where Tulsidas
spent his later part of life.
Statistically Srimad Valmiki Ramayana is composed of 24,000 verses called Slokas. These
verses are grouped into around 500 chapters called Sargas wherein a specific event is told. These Sargas are
groupd into seven books called Kaandas where a particular phase of story or an event in
the course of story narration is enlightened. The verses in the Ramayana are written in a 32-syllable meter called Anustubh.
Seven Kaandas of Ramayana:
Thus the structure of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana is arranged into Seven Kaandas or Books. Tulsidas Goswami
compared the Seven Kandas of Epic Ramayana to seven steps leading
into the holy waters of Himalayan Lake
(Lake Mansarovar) which "purifies the body and soul at once".
Kaanda Name
|
Contains Info
|
Bala
Kanda
Book
of Youth
|
Describes
the birth of Rama, his childhood and marriage to Sita
|
Ayodhya
Kanda
Book
of Ayodhya
|
Describes
the preparations for Rama's coronation and his exile into the forest
|
Aranya
Kanda
Book
of Forest
|
Describes
the forest life of Rama and the kidnapping of Sita by the demon king Ravana
|
Kishkindha
Kanda
Empire
of Holy Monkeys
|
Describes
meeting of Hanuman with Rama, the destruction of the King Vali and the
coronation of Sugriva to the throne of the kingdom of Kishkindha
|
Sundara
Kanda
Book
of Beauty
|
Describes
the heroism of Hanuman, his flight to Lanka and meeting with Sita
|
Yuddha
Kanda
Book
of War
|
Describes
the battle between Rama's and Ravana's armies
|
Uttara
Kanda
Book
of Youth
|
Describes
the birth of Lava and Kusha to Sita, their coronation to the throne of
Ayodhya, and Rama's final departure from the world
|
Puran Purusha Qualities ~ Shri Rama:
The first sarga of Ramayana starts with the arrival of Narada to Valmiki's asramam. Valmiki Maharishi enquired Narada about the Purna Purusha (a complete man); a man having all good qualities. Valmiki looking for 16 qualities in one man, they are:
Gunavan
(principled one)
|
Veeryavan
(potential one)
|
Dharmajnaha
(conscious
one)
|
Kruthajnaha
(liberator)
|
Satyavakyaha (truth-teller)
|
Dhrudhavrataha
(self-determined)
|
Samarthaha
(ablest–one)
|
Atmavan
(courageous-one)
|
Charithravan
(one having good conduct)
|
Sarvabhutha
Hithaha
(one who is the well-wisher of all
beings)
|
||
Vidwan
(scholar of all scriptures)
|
Sadaika
Priyadarsanaha
(one who is always lovable and good to
look)
|
||
Dyuthiman
(brilliant-one)
|
Jithakrodhaha
(one who controlled his anger)
|
||
Anasuyakaha
(one who is not having jealousy)
|
Kasya
bibhyati devascha jatha roshasya samyuge
(For whom even devathas also will afraid
to stand before him in war, when he grew angry)
|
||
Narada without any hesitation and immediately replied
"Shri Rama",
the son of Dasaratha is having all these sixteen qualities on this earth.
Then he told the whole story of Shri Rama in brief starting from his birth to returning
to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. Narada said the whole Ramayana in brief (sankshepata) the first sarga is called as Sankshepa Ramayana. Reading Sankshepa Ramayana is equivalent to
reading the whole Ramayana and by chanting this with firm faith; one will get
rid of all sorts of sins. The second sarga starts, mentioning about how Valmiki got inspiration to write the story of Lord Rama near river Thamasa.
Nine Form of Devotion:
Lord
Shri Rama described nine form of Devotion (Bhakti) to His
one of the great devotee Sabri in Aranya Kand. These are:
1.
To live and communicate with saints
who are pious in heart and deed.
2.
To listen and tell the story and
saying of the Lord.
3.
To do humble and pride-less service
of the lotus feet of one's preceptor (Guru).
4.
To sing the Lord's praises with
honest heart.
5.
To keep chanting the Lord's name
with unwavering faith.
6.
To practice self-control and virtue,
desist from manifold activities and always pursue the course of conduct laid
down for the saints.
7.
To see the world full of the Lord
without distinction and reckon the saints as even greater than the Lord
Himself.
8.
To remain content with whatever one
gets and never think of finding faults with others.
9.
To be simple, honest and straight in
one's dealing with everybody & cherish implicit faith in Lord without
either exultation or depression.
Towards the end of
describing above nine forms, Shri Rama
further said to Sabri, that anyone
who possesses even any one out of the 9 forms of Bhakti (devotion) is very dear to Him.
Qualities For Success in Life:
There
is a famous passage from the Ramacharitamanas.
Lord Ram here advices Vibhishana regarding the qualities
needed for success in life. Here it is explained in the form of a chariot which
is needed for victory. Vibhishana
asks Lord Ram to fight Ravana by riding on a chariot.
In
reply Shri Ram said:
Bring a chariot
if it is obligatory for victory.
That chariot
should have wheels of valor and patience;
Strong flag and
buntings of truth and good conduct;
Horses of
strength, wisdom, self-control and goodness
Link rope of
pardon, kindness and equality;
A wise
charioteer of God’s recitation;
A field of
renunciation, sword of satisfaction,
An axe of charity,
deadly power of intelligence,
A hardened bow
of the best knowledge;
A quiver like a
pure and decisive mind;
Several arrows
of self-control and morality
Impenetrable
armor of Brahman worship
There is no
other way of victory like this.
Concept of Purusharthas in Ramayana:
Purusharthas refers to a goal, end or aim of human existence, in
Sanskrit it means "that which is required by man; human purpose, aim, or
end". The concept of Pususharthas is ancient in Sanatana Dharma. There are four Pususharthas:
Dharma
|
religious,
social and/or moral righteousness, both spiritual and ritual
|
Artha
|
material
and/or financial prosperity as well as pursuit of meaning
|
Kaama
|
material pleasure
|
Moksha
|
spiritual
liberation; or renunciation as well as detachment
|
There are two prominent instances
of Pususharthas being defined in Ramayana.
The first was when Bharat came to forest (Chitrakoot) to meet Rama. Rama asked him whether
he followed the rules of Dharma, Artha and Kaama properly. As per Rama it is defined as:
Artha should not
interfere with Dharma and vice versa.
Similarly Kaama should not
interfere with either Dharma or with Artha. Since Bharat was
already knowledgeable he understands in very concise words. But Dharma here means the
duties and welfare one does for the society. Making wells, for example, is part
of the dharma of a king. Arth means earnings. It
is further asked by Rama: The king
has to see that there is enough income from taxes; the salaries of the
employees are given at proper time etc.; Kaama means
pleasure here. One is allowed to have pleasure but without affecting the duties
and earnings.
The other
instance comes in Yudha Kanda. Here Kumbhakarna, advises Ravana that one should
use Dharma in the morning, Artha in the daytime
and Kaama at night. He further said, as the Lanka King is busy with Kaama all the time,
the destruction of Lanka and its King Ravana will bound to happen. Interestingly one of Ravana's ministers Mahodara scolds Kubhakarna and to please Ravana, says that a
King can enjoy Kaama at any time.
Swami Vivekananda Remarks:
"Rama, the ancient
idol of the heroic ages, the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son,
the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king, this Rama has been presented
before us by the great sage Valmiki. No language can be purer, none chaster,
none more beautiful, and at the same time simpler, than the language in which
the great poet has depicted the life of Rama." (Swami Vivekananda)
Note: Compiled Article on RamaCharitmanas after googling.