The Ramayana
Posted on Jun 02, 2009 under Art, Culture, Religion, Travel | No CommentThe Ramayana is an ancient Hindu sacred text. It is typically attributed to the sage Valmiki who composed the Sanskrit epic that was based on ancient stories and traditions. The oldest portions of the poem date back to the eleventh century CE. There are conflicting opinions about the actual authorship of some portions of the text. Regardless of the original authorship, the stories and themes it contains are fundamental aspects of Indian culture and tourists who are staying Delhi hotels will certainly recognize this in various aspects of their vacation. Also, many of the performances and other entertainment options are certain to contain some of the themes found in this epic text.
Though the main stories in the text date back to oral traditions found as early as 500 BC, the text was not actually composed until much later. Some of the main characters such as Rama, Janaka, Sita, and Vishwamitra are found in early Vedic literature. Rama is the hero of the epic and he is portrayed as the god Vishnu in his seventh incarnation. He is an extremely popular prince, the son of Dasharatha, the King of Ayodhya, and his wife Kousalya. Sita is Rama’s beloved wife, and the incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi. She is the essence of purity and female virtue while Rama is the essence of male virtue.
In the story, King Dasharatha is forced into exile and Rama and Sita go with him. The poem is divided into several separate books and each one deals with various phases and circumstances in the life of Rama. Some of the main themes it deals with include heroism, ethics and righteous living. Many of these stories can be interpreted with extreme relevance to life today and continue to be a source of philosophical and spiritual consultation. The epic has had a profound effect on the culture of India, which is evident in many aspects of the city of Delhi. Many performance arts such as drama and dance depict various aspects of this work. Throughout history, the stories have been performed in temples and regal courts.
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