Category: Tale from Ramayan

Author – Awadhesh Sharma

In the prehistoric period, Brahma created a number of Prajapatis, lords of creation that included Marichi.  Marichi’s son Kashyap with his wife Aditi produced numerous sons including Vivasman or Surya. Vivasman’s son Manu became the first human on the earth.  Manu had a son named Ikshvaku and a daughter called Ila. Ikshvaku became the progenitor of the solar dynasty. Ila was married to Buddha, the son of Moon, and became the originator of lunar dynasty.

Manu had established a city named Ayodhya, the invincible city, on the banks of River Sarayu. Ayodhya became the capital of solar dynasty kings. The solar dynasty ruled for thousands of years and attained great feats.

Many celebrated kings were born in the solar dynasty. Raghu, the son of king Dilip was one of them. He expanded the kingdom in all directions and performed the Visvajit Yagya, the sacrifice of world victory. His lineage is identified by his name as Raghuvansh, dynasty of Raghu. Raghu’s son AJa was father of Dasharath.

Dashrath’s son Ram was the most illustrious king of the solar dynasty. The events relating to him occurred during the Tretayug, the second epoch of traditional Hindu almanac. Physical objects referring to his accomplishments mostly disappeared over time but stories of his life and achievements continued to survive through oral tradition. Later, scholars recorded these stories and legends in writing.

Ancient poets wrote Ram’s story in Sanskrit. Valmiki was the first poet who wrote Ram’s story, entitled the Ramayan. The Mahabharat contains a large chapter on Ram known as Ramopakhyan. Kalidas wrote Raghuvansham that describes twenty-nine kings of solar dynasty including Ram.

Subsequently, scholars and sages composed the retelling of the Ramayan in regional languages. For example, Kamban composed the Tamil Ramayan in twelfth century. Krittibas Ojha wrote the Bengali Ramayan in fourteen century and Tulasidas wrote Ramcharit Manas in Hindi in the sixteenth century.  These books became literally classics in their own right.

Ramayan became a sacred text and Ram attained the status of an incarnation of Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe.  Originating in oral traditions and subsequently attaining the sacred status, the story of Ram had evolved over time. Variations in certain narratives, making the text relevant to prevailing social and cultural environment, are not uncommon in different retellings of the Ramayan.

After enlightenment, Valmiki wished to know from sage Narad whether there was a person with all the good qualities alive in the world. He then enumerated the attributes, which included integrity, bravery, righteousness, gratitude, truthfulness, dedication to one’s principles, flawless character, compassion for all living beings, learning, skill, beauty, a pleasing appearance, courage, radiance, control over anger and desires, lack of jealousy at all times and undaunted heroism which can frightened even the celestials.

Narad responded saying that it was difficult to find all these qualities in a single being, but he knew one such person. He was Ram, a king in the line of Ikshvaku. Then he began the legend of Ram who was as noble as the mighty ocean, as powerful as Vishnu, as steadfast as the Himalayas, handsome as the Moon, patient as the Earth, generous as Kuber, just as Dharma, and if rage is aroused, then he became like the fire at the end of the Time.

 Ram was the son of Kaushalya, one of three wives of king Dasharath. With his conduct, Ram became the darling of the king and all the three queens.

After the Yagyopavit rite, he was sent to Gurukul, the school run by the royal priest Vashishth. At Gurukul, he studied under the guidance of erudite teachers. After graduation, Ram returned home as adolescent.

Sometime later, sage Vishvamitra arrived at Dasharath’s court requesting the king to send Ram with him to protect his sacred ritual from Rakshasas. Ram went with the sage accompanied by his brother Lakshman.

Vishvamitra taught the brothers many new spells and skills. Ram learnt how to survive without food and water. He learnt how to set a tree aflame and bore a hole in the ground by an arrow, and many other abilities that were useful.

Along the way, they encountered Tadaka, a matriarch of Rakshasas. She and her sons Marich and Subahu used to harass Visvamitra. Ram killed her when she attacked the troika. He also killed Subahu and hurled Marich a long distance away with his blunted arrow, when they tried to obstruct Vishvamitra from performing his rites.

After completing their mission to protect the sage’s rituals, Ram and Lakshman started for Janakpur with Vishvamitra. En route to Janakpur, Ram with a touch of his foot transformed Ahilya from a stone into a beautiful woman.

 In Janakpur, Ram attended the Svayamvar, which was held for Sita, daughter of king Janak of Mithila. Stringing the bow of Shiva was the condition to qualify to wed Sita. After fulfilling the condition of the Svayamvar, Ram married Sita. He tactfully pacified Parashuram who tried to intimidate him for breaking Shiva’s bow. After the wedding, they returned to Ayodhya.

Dasharath decided to crown Ram to the throne of Ayodhya. With approval of priests, ministers and representatives of subjects, the preparation for coronation began.

Manthara, a maidservant of Kaikeyi poisoned her mind against Ram’s coronation. Kaikeyi demanded fulfilment of the two boons that Dasharath had granted her earlier, and asked him to crown her son Bharat to the throne of Ayodhya and send Ram as an ascetic into the forest for fourteen years.

Dasharath was devastated to hear the atrocious demand. When Ram learnt about it, he immediately decided to uphold his father’s promise to Kaikeyi. He declined his impending crowning and sought permission from his parents to go into exile.

Ram wore an ascetic robe and departed for the forest. His wife Sita and brother Lakshman also accompanied him. On the way, Ram stayed overnight at Shringerpur where he met his Gurukul friend Guha.

The next day, they crossed the River Ganga and visited sage Bharadwaj at his Ashram in Prayagraj. From there, they proceeded to Chitrakut. There they made their hermitage on the banks of River Mandakini.

Dasharath could not bear his separation from Ram and passed away. Bharat who was far away at his maternal uncle’s house was brought to Ayodhya. He refused to accept the crown and went to meet Ram. He requested him to return and take care of the ancestor’s kingdom. Ram declined and persuaded Bharat to become king on his behalf. He gave Bharat his Paduka, wooden sandal, which became the symbol of Ram’s authority.

Soon Ram moved away from Chitrakut and ventured towards the Dandak forest. Rakshasas had infiltrated the forest and oppressed the weak, sages and civilised humans. They acted on the direction of their king Ravan, who was based in Lanka. Ravan had tormented the whole civilised world. Sages and deities were praying for his demise.

Ram visited the hermitage of sage Atri and paid respect to him and his wife Anusuya. Further on the way, Ram encountered Rakshas Viradh who attacked him and his brother. Ram killed him. 

Ram learnt about sage Sharabhang and visited him. Soon after meeting Ram, the sage left the world. Many other sages were gathered there. They informed Ram about the transgressions of Rakshasas in the forest and showed him piles of human skeletons that displayed their atrocities. Ram pledged to make the forest free from Rakshasas. He roamed the forest and destroyed them wherever he encountered one. Sages started assuming Ram a divine incarnation that offered them protection.

Ram visited sage Sutikshan and his teacher Agastya. Agastya offered him Mantras and enchanted weapons, which would help him destroy Rakshasas in the future. On his advice, Ram built his Ashram at Panchvati on the banks of River Godavari. There, Ram met vulture Jatayu who became his friend.

Once Surpanakha, a sister of Ravan, saw Ram near his Ashram. She approached Ram and asked him to marry her. As he was already married, he refused, as did Lakshman.  Snubbed, Surpanakha tried to harm Sita who was standing nearby. Noticing her transgression, Lakshman cut off her nose.

Surpanakha instigated Khar, the commander of Ravan’s forces in the region to avenge her mutilation. Ram destroyed Khar, Dushan and Trisira and their army who came to fight against him.

Surpanakha then went to Ravan and enticed him to abduct Sita to avenge her humiliation. Ravan agreed to her scheme. With the help of Marich, he abducted Sita from her Ashram, brought her to Lanka and kept her captive in Ashokvan. During the abduction, Ram had gone to capture the golden dear, the disguised Marich. Ram killed him.

When Ram returned to the hermitage, he noticed Sita missing. He and Lakshman searched for her in all the places where Sita could be. They saw Jatayu who had tried to free her from Ravan but was fatally wounded.  Ram performed last rites for Jatayu following his death.

During the search for Sita, Ram met Rakshasa Kabandh. He was released from the curse after being killed by Ram and directed him to see Sabari, a female devotee. Ram visited her. She was so engrossed in devotion to Ram that she offered berries defiled by her eating but Ram relished them.

On her advice, Ram headed towards Rishyamuk peaks, where Sugreev used to live with his advisers. Sugreev sent Hanuman to enquire about the wandering ascetics. Later, Ram met Sugreev with the help of Hanuman.

Sugreev was always afraid of his brother Bali who had usurped his wife. Ram noticed the injustice done to him and promised to help him recover his wife. Ram established a friendship with Sugreev. Sugreev also pledged to help Ram find Sita.

To convince Sugreev of his capabilities to overcome Bali, Ram kicked the skeleton of a dead buffalo with his toe and later pierced seven palm trees in a row with a single arrow.

Ram killed Bali and made Sugreev the king of forest dwellers. Sugreev arranged for Sita’s search and finally Hanuman located and met her in Ashokvan in Lanka. Ram, with the help of Vanaras and Bhalus, organised a huge army and constructed a bridge over the sea.

He crossed the sea with his army and challenged Ravan. Subsequently he killed Ravan, and all his associates were also killed in the war. He installed Vibhishan, Ravan’s pious brother, on the throne of Lanka.

Sita was released from captivity and brought to Ram. On his instruction, Sita completed the Agni Pariksha. The exile period was about to finish. Ram, Sita and Lakshman along with his supporters returned to Ayodhya. Ram was crowned the king of Ayodhya. He ruled his kingdom with Dharma. His rule is known as Ramrajya.

Additional texts including the exile of Sita during her pregnancy, birth of her twin sons Lav and Kush, Ashvamedh Yagya, Sita’s entry to the Earth, and Ram’s entry to River Sarayu are included in some versions of the Ramayan. 

The victory of Ram over Ravan is celebrated as Dashahara or Vijaya Dashami. Ram’s return to Ayodhya is celebrated as Diwali, the festival of lights. His birthday is celebrated as Ram Navami.

The name Ram commanded reverence and continues to do so in many countries, religions and civilisations. Ram is the royal name of kings in Thailand. Jain Tirthankars claimed to be born in solar dynasty and were related to Ram. Buddha was Ram in his previous life as per Jatak stories. Sikhs revere Ram as God.

AbRam, later called Abraham, is the common patriarch of Abrahamic religions. Ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilisations worshipped the solar deity and Egyptians called him Ra(m). Ram(esses) kings ruled over ancient Egypt. Available sources indicate the spread of ideals of Ram worldwide in ancient time.

Participation of people from all over the world in construction of Shree Ram Mandir in Ayodhya displays universal admiration for Ram.

Hindus worship Ram as an incarnation of Vishnu. Numerous temples with Ram Durbar can be found around the globe. He symbolises Indian ideals and is called Maryada Purushottam, the Perfect person.

Author – Awadhesh Sharma

The ninth day of the month of Vaishakh (May – June) is celebrated as Sita Navami or the Birthday of Sita. It is believed that King Janak of Mithila found Sita on this day at Sita-Kund in Sitamarhi, Bihar. Sita is the main female character of the Ramayan. She is known by many other names including Janaki, Vaidehi and Maithili.

Stories relating to Sita’s birth vary in different editions and retellings of the Ramayan. According to the Valmiki Ramayan, Janak was ploughing a piece of land to make it suitable as a site for performing a Yagya, religious sacrament. During the tilling, his plough struck a vessel in the furrow. He opened the cover of the vessel and noticed a baby girl in it. He brought the baby home. Janak and his wife Sunayana had not yet their own child so adopted her as their daughter.

The baby was named Sita, a Sanskrit word for furrow. The term Sita has been mentioned as a deity of fertility in the Vedas. Mantras 6 and 7 of Rigved hymn 4.57 are addressed to Sita. According to Grihya-Sutras, they were chanted during the start of ritual ploughing of land for abundant agricultural yields.

Sita transpired to be auspicious for Janak. Soon after her adoption, Queen Sunayana delivered a baby girl, who was named Urmila. The kingdom received good rain that resulted in abundant harvests. Subjects became more prosperous and happier.

Fortune-tellers predicted that Sita would marry an extraordinary person, and would contribute greatly in destroying evil forces. They also indicated that she would be required to make incredible sacrifices in life.

Janak had inherited a bow from his ancestors. It was used by lord Shiv himself. The bow was so massive that no human used it, and it was stowed on a platform.

When Sita attained the marriageable age, Janak decided to find a suitable husband for her. He was conscious of her exemplary traits. He concluded that lifting the Shiv-bow and stringing it would be an appropriate test of abilities for a candidate aspiring to wed Sita.    

A Svayamvar, ritual for choosing one’s husband, was arranged for Sita. It was formally declared that whoever lifted and strung the Shiv-bow would qualify to marry her. Kings and princes from various kingdoms were invited to participate. Sage Vishvamitra was invited to witness the event. He, along with Ram and Lakshman, arrived at Janakpur, the capital of Janak’s kingdom.

As a part of the ritual, Sita went to worship goddess Gauri whose temple was located in the royal garden. Ram and Lakshman were picking flowers for Vishvamitra in the same garden. Sita and Ram saw each other in the garden for the first time and were enchanted.

Later, Sita visited the temple and prayed to goddess Gauri. She was conscious of her father’s terms for Svayamvar and hence did not directly pray for Ram to be bestowed as her husband. She only prayed for fulfilling her wishes which goddess was aware of as an omniscient.

Sita was exceptionally beautiful and an embodiment of charm. Poets and storytellers expressed their inability to find any simile to describe her grace.

Tulasidas states in Ramcharit Manas that what to tell about mortal women, even celestials like Saraswati being a chatterer, Paravti being half bodied, other half being Shiv and Rati being distressed due to her bodiless husband Kamdev cannot be equated to Sita. It is beyond comprehension to compare Sita with Lakshmi whose brothers are poison and alcohol, referring to her origin from churning of the Celestial Ocean.

In the Svayamvar, all the invited candidates failed to move the bow, let alone string it, which made Sita and her parents anxious. Seeing them disturbed, Vishvamitra asked Ram to try. He easily lifted the bow and as he attempted to string it, the bow broke. Sita accepted and garlanded Ram as the successful candidate to marry her.

Envoys were sent to Ram’s father, king Dasarath, with invitation to participate in his son’s wedding. Wedding ceremonies were held and Sita married Ram according to family traditions. Sunayana, her mother, instructed Sita about the duties and responsibilities of a newly wed wife.

After the completion of rituals and celebrations, Sita along with Ram and other family members came to Ayodhya. She was welcomed with pomp and ceremony. She lived happily in Ayodhya with her husband and the extended family.

When his coronation was abandoned, Ram accepted his exile for fourteens years to uphold his father’s pledge to his stepmother Kaikeyi. Ram decided to go alone to the forest to live a life of ascetic. When Sita became aware of his decision, she insisted on accompanying him. Ram attempted to dissuade her but she remained adamant to follow him. She was willing to sacrifice her life if she was separated from her husband. Eventually, she went to the forest with Ram and Lakshman. She wore the dress of ascetics, the similar as Ram and Lakshman had donned.

On the way, Sita offered prayers to River Ganga. They crossed the river by a boat. After crossing the river, Ram wished to give to the boatman the fare, but he had nothing valuable to give. Sita realised his predicament, and immediately took out her ring and presented it to Ram to pay the fare.

While roaming in the forest, Sita along with Ram and Lakshman came upon the Ashram of sage Atri. Sita met the sage’s wife Anusuya who was an accomplished ascetic. Anusuya gifted Sita divine dresses, which always remained fresh, clean and spotless. Sita listened to her discourse on the roles and responsibilities of women. Sita also visited other sages throughout her wandering.

During the later part of exile, the trio made their residence in Panchvati on the banks of River Godavari. There they met the bird Jatayu, who became a friend.

Once Surpanakha, a sister of Ravan, visited their Ashram. She threatened to devour Sita in order to free Ram for herself. Lakshman disfigured her by cutting her nose. This led to a direct confrontation with demonic forces, headed by Ravan.

Sita saw a golden deer strolling around her dwelling during her stay in Panchvati. It was the demon Marich who had changed his appearance through illusion. Ravan had sent him to attract Sita’s attention. Sita was charmed by the deer’s beauty and insisted on having it. Ram went to catch the deer, instructing Lakshman to ensure Sita’s safety.

 Soon they heard a distress call in the voice of Ram. Sita became alarmed and sent Lakshman away to help Ram. In the meantime, Ravan, in the disguise of an ascetic appeared before Sita. On the pretext of asking for alms, he kidnapped her. Jatayu noticed Ravan’s offence and fought against him to free Sita from his captivity, but was killed.

Ravan carried Sita away to his capital Lanka, and kept her in the Ashokvan. During the kidnapping flight, Sita dropped on a hill some personal items that later became useful in finding her whereabouts.

Sita spent her time in Ashokvan reminiscing the past and hoping to get rescued by his powerful husband. Sentries kept her under their close observation, and threatened and harassed her. Ravan persuaded her to accept him as her husband, but Sita always derided him for his transgression.

When Ram and Lakshman returned to their Ashram after killing the illusory deer, they could not find Sita. They started their search for her in the forest.  During this time, Ram met Hanuman, who introduced him to Sugreev. Both Ram and Sugreev became friends and committed to help each other. Sugreev showed Ram the items, which were dropped from the sky and had been found on the hills. Ram recognised those items that belonged to Sita. After becoming a king, Sugreev led the search for Sita. He sent his followers in all directions to locate her.

The team that included Hanuman was sent to the South.  Hanuman flew over the sea, landed in Lanka and found Sita in the Ashokvan. He hid in a tree and dropped the ring that Ram had given to him, as his token to present to her. Hanuman then appeared before Sita and disclosed the purpose of his visit to her. Sita recognised the ring and trusted Hanuman. Sita was so impressed with Hanuman that she blessed him with immortal life. Sita gave Hanuman her crest jewel to deliver to Ram, as a symbol of his meeting with her.

With the help of monkeys and bears, Ram built a bridge, which connected mainland India to Lanka, and landed with his army on its shores. A war was declared, and Ravan and other demon warriors were killed. Vibhishan, a brother of Ravan, who had defected to Ram before the war, was coronated the king of Lanka.

Sita was freed from captivity. She was brought to Ram to unite with him. However, Ram looked contemptuously at her and demanded that she prove her innocence and purity. Sita asked Lakshman to fetch wood and prepare the fire. Lakshman followed her wish. Sita entered into the burning fire and came out of it unharmed. Ram felt relieved and welcomed his wife with love and respect.

The time of their exile was close to end. They boarded the Pushpak Viman, an aerial carrier, and departed for Ayodhya. En route, Ram showed Sita the places where major events had occurred during her captivity. 

Sita along with Ram and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after completing the duration of banishment. Bharat, the acting king and his entourage welcomed them. Ram was crowned as the king and Sita as the queen of Ayodhya. They ruled for many years and their rule, known as Ram Rajya, became an ideal model of governance for subsequent generations.

The Uttarkand of Valmiki Ramayan contains additional episodes including the second exile of Sita. When she became pregnant, she expressed her desire to visit the forest and enjoy natural beauty.  In the meantime, Ram became aware of a remark by a washerman who berated Sita’s purity due to her living in other man’s house.

Although his trust and love to Sita never wavered, Ram decided to send her to the forest to allay misconceptions among his subjects. As instructed by Ram, Lakshman drove her to the forest and left her alone. Disciples of sage Valmiki spotted her and informed their preceptor about the lonely woman. Valmiki learned about her situation through his divine vision and welcomed Sita to his Ashram. In due course she gave birth to twin brothers Lav and Kush. Sita raised her sons alone. They grew up valiant and intelligent. Valmiki taught them the Ramayan, which they sang melodiously.

During Sita’s exile, Ram performed a royal sacrifice in which a golden statue represented her. The twins attended the ceremony as singers of Ramayan. They met Ram and claimed they were his sons. Their mother Sita had been unjustly exiled. Ram demanded that let Sita prove her innocence in front of the citizens of Ayodhya. Sage Valmiki brought Sita to Ram’s court. In front of the audience, Sita sought refuge in the earth if she was truthful and chaste. Immediately, the earth opened and Sita entered into it.

Various other stories relating to Sita are also popular. According to a tale in Padma Puran, Sita heard a pair of parrots talking about her marriage with Ram when she was young. The parrots had overheard the story in Valmiki’s Ashram where they resided. Sita was fascinated by their account. She caught them and placed in a cage. She wished to keep them until her marriage to test the accuracy of their tale.

The female parrot was pregnant. She requested Sita to release them, as they were made to roam freely in the sky. Sita released the male but kept the female in captivity. The female soon died due to separation from her partner. Before dying, she cursed Sita to be separated from her husband when she became pregnant. The male parrot was also heartbroken and died. He was born as a washerman in Ayodhya in his next life. It was the same person who spread gossip about Sita.

Sita is believed to be an incarnation of goddess Lakshmi. She appeared on the earth to help Ram, the Vishnu incarnate to destroy demonic forces. She is worshipped along with Ram in temples across the world.