Essentials of Hinduism - Srimad Ramayana

Essentials of Hinduism

Srimad Ramayana

THE STORY OF RAMAYANA

Only selected features of each Kanda of the Story of Srimad Ramayana is described below. The Epic Ramayana belongs to Treta Yuga. Lord Maha Vishnu incarnated as Rama (as human) to fight and kill the demon King Ravana and stop his misdeeds, to free His wife Sita from Ravana’s captivity and to acquire the great friendship with Hanuman. Ravana got a boon from Brahma that he cannot be killed by Gods. He never considered humans as a threat to his life and his boon did not cover humans. Above all, Rama as a ruler strived to preserve Dharma in His kingdom.

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1) Bala Kanda:

Dasaratha, belonging to the Surya Dynasty was the King of the Kosala Kingdom with its Capital City as Ayodhya. He had three wives Kousalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. Although his rule was full of prosperity, yet, he was sad because he had no children. He was advised by his ministers to perform “Putra Kameshti Yajna”. Risyasringa Muni was very pleased to perform this Yajna. As a result of this Yajna, four male children were born – Rama was born to Kousalya; few days later Bharata was born to Kaikeyi; few more days later, twin boys Lakshmana and Satrughana were born to Sumitra.

All four brothers grew up learning to practice Dharma, Satya, Bhakti, Jnyana, Learned Vedas and Vedangas, other Education Skills, Obedience to Elders, Courage, Developed Body Building, Bow and Arrow Skills, Horse riding and all Skills that were needed to wage a war. They were affectionate to each other. Rama and Lakshmana, as well as, Bharata and Satrughana were always seen as two unseparable pairs.

Sage Visvamitra visited the Dasaratha’s Palace. Dasaratha was extremely pleased to see him and received Visvamitra with utmost respect possible. With his sheer will power and hard work, Visvamitra grew in position from Rishi to Rajarishi to Maharishi to Brahmarishi. Out of sheer delight, Dasaratha promised to give him anything he wanted.

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Visvamitra was pleased and asked Dasar atha to send Rama to protect his Yajna that is being interrupted by the demons Maricha and Subahu. Initially Dasaratha tried to persuade Visvamitra to accept his Army and did not want to send Rama; but Visvamitra stated that Rama is capable of defending his Yajna and this is a good opportunity for Rama to display his skills. Finally, Sage and Advisor Vasishta convinced Dasaratha to send Rama and Lakshmana with Visvamitra. Now Dasaratha agreed.

Rama and Lakshmana bowed to all the elders and followed Visvamitra to the forest. Visvamitra initiated the boys into Bala and Atibala Mantras during their first night stay at the Sarayu river bank to enable them to overcome tiredness, hunger and thirst. Rama’s first task was to kill the demons Tataka who was notorious, killed humans and lived on human meat. Rama bhana killed Tataka. On the way, Visvamitra taught the Astra, Sastra skills to Rama that have Mantra-Sakthi

with them – Visvamitra hand picked Rama as his sishya (student) to teach these skills. They arrived at Visvamitra’s Siddhaashrama where he was going to perform the Yajna with his disciples.

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It will take them six days to complete the Yajna. On the last day of the Yajna, the demon brothers Maricha and Subahu came to disturb the Yajna. Maricha got thrown far away into the Sea by

Rama’s Manava Astra and Subahu was dead with the Rama’s Agneya Astra. Together the brothers annihilated the demons and the Yajna was completed to the total satisfaction of Visvamitra and his disciples.

Next, Visvamitra asked if Rama and Lakshmana want to accompany him to Mithila where the King Janaka was performing Asvamedha Yajna. Rama respectfully agreed to follow his Guru to Mithila. On the way to Mithila, they stopped at Gowtama Maharishi’s Ashrama but during their visit it was empty. At one time, Gowtama lived there with his beautiful wife Ahalya. Indra was attracted to her. He disguised as Gowtama and in his absence assaulted her. Gowtama found this out and cursed Indra as Ali (Napumsaka) and cursed his wife Ahalya to become a stone. He left for Himachala to forget this incident and said sometime in the future Sri Rama will step on the stone and bring Ahalya back to life. At the Ashrama, Rama stepped on the stone and Ahalya appeared. Gowtama now returned and joined with his wife again.

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Next they reached Mithila were the Yajna was being performed by Goutama’s son Sadananda. Now King Janaka got attracted by the presence of the God-like youths Rama and Lakshmana. The incident about to take place is – the super heavy Shiva Dhanush was brought on a Chariot and kept on display; the Prince who lifts and strings the Dhanush gets to marry Sita who was obtained as a great gift by Janaka from the Bhudevi.

Many Princes were unable to even lift the Dhanush. After getting permission from Visvamitra, Rama lifted the bow effortlessly, resting one end on the floor and the other end against his toe, bent and strung the bow, and drew the string back with such a force the mighty bow snapped with a loud noise like a thunder. Janaka became extremely delighted and proclaimed that his Daughter Sita shall be married to Rama. Janaka sent messengers to Ayodya with the happy news.

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.