RAMAYANA

Ramayana is the oldest epic in Sanskrit language written by the sage, Balmiki. Popularly believed to have been composed about five centuries B.C., it has been a most familiar text in every Hindu household. Rama, the protagonist of this epic is also known as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Ramayana explains in great detail the life and love of Rama which is presented with a view to portrait and ideal life. It gives Rama’s boyhood, youth and his love with Sita, his adventures and marriage, the abduction of Sita by Ravana. Later, war breaks between Rama and Ravana during which Rama was very much helped by Hanuman and his monkey allies. The story of Ramayana ends in the destruction of the demon king Ravana and his empire, the rescue of Sita and the restoration of Rama to the throne of Ayodhya. Later Rama banished Sita out of jealousy and also due to suspicion the people had about her chastity.However, at the Hermitage of Balmiki Sita resided for sometime where she gave birth to her twin sons Lava and Kusha. One fine morning Rama discovered his sons and also recalled Sita whose innocence he realised with regret, but unfortunately he only got to know that she had already surrendered herself to the womb of the mother earth and thus relieved herself from the worldly life span.  

Rama was the son of king Dasarath of Ayodhya who had three wives. Rama was the son of his eldest queen Kausalya. He had three younger brothers namely, Laxman, Bharat and Satrughana. Due to tricky moves of his youngest stepmother Kaikeyi,  he had to give up the throne and pass exiled life in a forest for 14 years. His wife Sita and his brother Laxman had also accompanied him. The abduction  of Sita by Ravana took place during the same period. 

The Ramayana is written in seven sections and is known to have been written in fifty-five thousand lines. The seven sections are as follows:- 

1. Bal Kanda- About the boyhood of Rama. 

2. Ayodhya Kanda- Description of Ayodhya and the banishment of Rama by his father at the instance of kaikeyi. 

3. Aranya Kanda- Life of Rama in the forest and the rape of Sita by Ravana. 

4. Kishkindhya Kanda- About Rama’s stay at Kishkindhya, the capital of his alley Sugrib, the king of monkeys. 

5. Sundar Kanda- About the marvelous passage of the straits by Rama and his allies to reach Ceylon (Lanka) the kingdom of Ravana. 

6. Yuddha Kanda- About the war of Rama with Ravana, victory in war, recovery of Sita, coronation of Rama etc. 

7. Uttar Kanda- About Rama’s life in Ayodhya banishment of Sita, her death, finding of sons by Rama etc.