Indian Epic Poem

From GM-RKB
(Redirected from Indian epic poem)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

An Indian Epic Poem is an epic poem that originates from the Indian subcontinent and typically reflects the cultural, religious, and philosophical values of ancient India.

  • Context:
    • It can (typically) be categorized into two major epics: the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
    • It can (typically) feature themes of Dharma, Duty, and Heroic Ideals, reflecting the moral and ethical frameworks of Ancient Indian Society.
    • It can (often) be passed down through oral tradition, eventually being transcribed into written form by scholars like Valmiki and Vyasa.
    • It can (often) include teachings related to Karma, Bhakti, and the Four Stages of Life (Ashramas).
    • It can (often) depict the genealogies of royal families and the origin of dynasties, providing a mythological framework for understanding history.
    • It can (often) be interpreted allegorically, with characters representing deeper philosophical or spiritual truths.
    • It can (often) employ poetic devices like Shloka Meter, Simile, and Metaphor to elevate the narrative style.
    • ...
    • It can range from being a text of historical significance to being a source of spiritual and moral guidance.
    • ...
    • It can be written in classical Sanskrit, though various regional languages also have adaptations and retellings.
    • It can include diverse narrative elements, such as heroic deeds, philosophical discourses, divine interventions, and moral dilemmas.
    • It can serve as a literary foundation for later works of Indian Literature and have a lasting influence on Indian drama, art, and culture.
    • It can be structured into different chapters, books, or *parvas* that focus on various characters, subplots, and allegories.
    • It can symbolize the struggle between good and evil, often featuring epic battles, divine interventions, and complex characters.
    • It can involve extensive descriptions of Cosmology and Geography, with detailed accounts of various kingdoms, forests, and sacred sites.
    • It can feature sub-stories and discourses on human emotions, ethics, and statecraft, through the experiences of secondary characters.
    • ...
  • Example(s):
  • Counter-Example(s):
  • See: Ramayana, Mahabharata, Valmiki, Vyasa, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Epic Poetry, Ancient India, Kalidasa.


References