Essence of Ramayan

Hey Friends,


Sorry for posting this blog late. This one is supposed to be in a continuation to my previous blog. Let me first write something on Indian mythology.


According to Hinduism, the two great Hindu Epics, the Ramayan and the Mahabharat, tell the story of two specific incarnations of Vishnu (Rama and Krishna). The epics Mahabharat and Ramayan serve as both religious scriptures and a rich source of philosophy and morality. The epics are divided into chapters and contain various short stories presenting a moral theme, where the character takes a certain course of action in accordance with Hindu laws and codes of righteousness.



The Hindu sage (Maharishi) Valmiki wrote the ancient Sanskrit epic, Ramayan.
Written in the form of shlokas (poetry).It presents the theme through allegory in narrative and alternating the philosophical and the devotional thoughts. The characters of Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Hanumān and Rāvan (the villain of the piece) are all fundamental to the cultural consciousness of India.



Valmiki the “Dacoit “ transformed into Maharishi Valmiki the “Sage”.The violent dacoit believed in looting and killing travelers for money. Once a great Rishi was on his way and Valmiki came across him and asked for money. The Rishi said the only money he has is knowledge “gyaan” which is much more valuable than gold. Valmiki got tempted to acquire this gyaan valuable than gold and asked Rishi to handover him all. Rishi smiled and said it is the god who can bless you with gyan, just chant RAMA .

Unfortunately, Valmiki couldn’t pronounce it and then Rishi suggested him to chant MARA MARA MARA . The dacoit could say this with ease . He got completely immersed meditating ‘RAMA jappa’ and hence was blessed with gyaan.



The gist of Tulsidas Ramayan is given below in 1 shloka:



Aadyou ramatapovanadi gamanam,
Hatwa mrugankanchanam.
Vaidehi haranam, jatayu maranam,
Sugriva sambhashanam.
Balinidalanam, samudrataranam,
Lankapuri dahanam.
Paschaat ravana, kumbhakaran hanam,
Etabdi ramayan.



It is easily understood from the shloka as what all incidents led to Ramayan.
Ramayan means ‘Rama + Ayana’ = Rama’s ongoing journey.



Let me tell you all a strange thing - elders say, at homes, one is supposed to have Ramayan and Bhagwat Geeta but not Mahabharat.