Religion In The Ramayana

The Ramayana is one of two great epics. It has a place for religion and society. In point and fact it would not be inaccurate to name it as “the Hindus’ favorite book”. (Klostermaier, pg. 61) It consists of twenty-four thousand stanzas of poetry and is a “masterpiece of literary composition”. (Narayan, pg. xxiii) The Ramayana has been translated and retold in Sanskrit and in the regional languages of Indian. It even appeared in early Buddhist canon. Every year at the autumn festival of Dassehra the Ram-lila (“Rama-play”) to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness-as demonstrated in the Ramayana through Rama’s battle with Ravana and eventual recovery of Sita). The Ramayana is the story of Rama, the perfect king and man, and his wife Sita, the perfect woman. Their actions throughout are the models upon which Hindu men and women model their lives. Rama’s relinquishment of every comfort and even kingship at his father’s orders demonstrates the proper obedience toward one’s parents. Sita’s refusal to …show more content…
King Dasaratha very reluctantly, and after much argument, gives his consent for Rama to aid the Sage. (Narayan, pg. 9) The King requested that Lakshmana be allowed to go with Rama and the Sage agreed. So Lakshmana and Rama followed the Sage “like his shadow”. (Narayan, pg. 10) Along the way Rama defeated the demoness Thataka (Narayan, pg. 13), prevented the sacred fires and rituals from being defiled by attacking demons (Narayan, pg. 15), and freed Ahalya from stone (Narayan, pg.19). Sage Viswamithra also told them the moral filled stories of Mahabali (one of the incarnates of Vishnu) (Narayan, pg. 13-15), the origin of the Holy Ganga and the oceans (Narayan, pg. 16-17), and Ahalya’s story also the origin of the eyes covering Indra’s body (pg. 19-21). Lakshmana defeated the sons of the demoness Thataka (Narayan, pg. 16) while aiding Rama in all his