Ramayana

A Ramayana Story is a Indian epic poem that narrates the life and journey of Rama.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be a Revered Text (in Hindu literature).
  • It can (often) be attributed to Valmiki.
  • It can (typically) include Ramayana Episodes, such as
    • of Rama's exile.
    • the abduction of his wife Sita by the demon king Ravana.
    • the ensuing battle in Lanka.
    • ...
  • It can (typically) be divided into several Ramayana Books (kandas),that focus on different phase of Rama's life.
  • It can be a Moral Allegory and a Spiritual Allegory (with its characters symbolizing different virtues and vices).
  • It can illustrate the ideals of Dharma and the Righteousness of a King.
  • It can be a foundation for Ramayana-based Performances, which can blend the story with traditional regional music, traditional dance, and traditional costuming styles.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • a Valmiki Ramayana, written by Valmiki.
  • a Ramcharitmanas, a popular adaptation of the Ramayana in Awadhi language by Tulsidas.
  • a Kamba Ramayanam, a T amil version of the story written by poet Kamban.
  • a Luang Prabang Ballet's rendition of Phra Lak Phra Lam, performed in Laos, showcasing the Lao interpretation of the story.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Mahabharata, another major Indian epic.
  • Bhagavad Gita, a spiritual and philosophical text that is part of the Mahabharata.
  • Puranas, a genre of important Hindu religious texts that are distinct from the epic narratives of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• See:
  • Valmiki, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Smriti, Sanskrit Literature, Epic Poetry, Ancient India, Itihasa, [[]], Rama (Deity).

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References

2024

• (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramayana Retrieved:2024-1-22.
  • The Ramayana ( /rɑːˈmɑːjənə/; Template:Lang-sa) is a smriti text (also described as an Sanskrit epic) from ancient India, one of the two important epics of Hinduism known as the Itihasas, the other being the Mahabharata. The epic, traditionally ascribed to the Maharishi Valmiki, narrates the life of Rama, a prince of Ayodhya in the kingdom of Kosala. The epic follows his fourteen-year exile to the forest urged by his father King Dasharatha, on the request of Rama's stepmother Kaikeyi; his travels across forests in the Indian subcontinent with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana; the kidnapping of Sita by Ravana, the king of Lanka, that resulted in war; and Rama's eventual return to Ayodhya along with Sita to be crowned king amidst jubilation and celebration.

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