The Ramayana Essay
The Ramayana by R.K. Narayan's is an epic story that provides insights into many aspects of Indian culture and still today influences the politics, religion and art of modern India. He based his novel on a poem from one of India's great Sanskrit epics also called "Ramayana." He revived this ancient story and condensed it and set in modern times. This is story of adventure and friendship as well as a story of psychological insight, spiritual meaning and of wisdom. R.K. Narayan does an excellent job of portraying all these aspects throughout his novel. The meanings of The Ramayana are found through the actions and personalities of its principal characters. It is part of the sacred literature for the Hindus because it speaks of the meaning of life. And how one should learn from this meaning and grow as a person and Hindu.
Rama's mission in life to fight evil begins when Viswamithra takes Rama and his brother Lakshmana from their home. He is taught by Viswamithra how to use divine weapons or deities of various weapons. Rama falls in love with Sita who because of a pledge is to be married only to somebody who can lift, bend and string the giant bow of Shiva. The task presents no problems for Rama. After the wedding of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana go back to Ayodhya, where the King Dasaratha (Rama's father) announces his resignation in favor for Rama as his successor.
Kaikeyi is Dasaratha's favorite wife and mother of Rama's half-brother Bharata. She uses a wish that was granted to her many years before that required Rama to be exiled into a forest for 14 years. Rama and Sita clothed in tree bark head off into the forest where they meet strange and wonderful creatures and beings. They meet Jatayu, the ...
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...th people who are loyal and committed to you. These ideas are shown through each one of the characters. Rama is true to duty and harmony, while Hanuman, Lakshmana, and Sita all show the good qualities of friendship. You should not be full of pride and lust. These traits are shown through the evil Ravana.
The epic story of Rama and his partners and enemies gives implications on how one could live your life. It shows how one can become successful through your positive traits and how one might be unsuccessful if they were to follow in Ravana's path. R.K. Narayan did an excellent job of using the ancient Sanskrit to write this wonderful story. The plot was full of excitement and the meanings behind all the characters actions can be applied in our lives today. This was truly a magnificent piece of literature.
R.K. Narayan's Interpretation of "The Ramayana"
In conclusion, in Herman Hesse’s novel Siddhartha, a young Brahmin man leaves home on a quest for spiritual enlightenment. Throughout his journey, Siddhartha proves he is a heroic figure. He accurately follows the steps in Joseph Campbell’s “Heroic Quest Model” from his call to adventure, to his freedom to live. Siddhartha also collaborates with numerous dictionary definitions of a hero. Siddhartha’s admired qualities such as courage, bravery, and nobility within Campell’s “Heroic Quest Model” define him as a hero.
Every generation has its own heroes that display, what they believe to be, ideal characteristics. While each is different in their own way, many of these role models share similar qualities. Most tend to have courage, strength, compassion, or another respected trait, but this is not necessarily why they win the adoration of their followers.
Narayan, R. K., and Kampar. (2006). The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version Of The Indian Epic (suggested by the Tamil version of Kamban). New York: Penguin Books. PDF e-book.
Through coping with the death of Maya, Sripathi is traditionally stubborn, but through coping with his daughter's death, feels the regret that comes with
“Ramayana.” The Language of Literature Ed. Arthur N. Applebee, et al. Boston: McDougal Littell, 1983. 130-140. Print.
...t the novel imparts a systematic, methodical tone to Siddhartha, and together with the consciously created form unifies the experiences of Siddhartha, permitting a feeling of closure and meditation on the thoughts and ideas presented therein. There is certainly a unique rhythm to Siddhartha which is skillfully communicated both consciously and subconsciously. One can appreciate the conscious craftmanship" of the novel's structure and style, while at the same time allowing the rhythm, feelings, and experiences to sift into one's mind on a deeper, more subconscious level.
Hess, Linda. Rejecting Sita: Indian Responses to the Ideal Man's Cruel Treatment of His Ideal Wife. Vol. 67. New York: Oxford UP, 1999. Print.
The Ramayana is the most famous and well-known of all Indian epics, originally based on an epic poem it has taken many variations and forms over the centuries. Traditionally the story centers on the hero Prince Rama, who is the embodiment of virtue and perseverance, as he is wrongfully denied his birthright of being crowned king and instead is unjustly exiled into the forest where he encounters his fair share of dilemma. In R. K. Narayan’s condensed, modern version of The Ramayana the classic conflict of duality is a predominant theme, as Rama faces many instances of uncertainty and trivial chaos which are eventually balanced by order and goodness under the laws of karmic causation and dharma alike which he virtuously strives to uphold. Nina
To begin our comparisons, we must first look at each character and recognize their separate journeys. Through summarization of the characters and their story, we will begin to see Rama's role and Sita's role. By this process, I will demonstrate how they correlate, differ and combine to form the Ramayana. Rama, the hero of the Ramayana, is a god known as Vishnu who has been reincarnated and sent to earth in mortal form. Rama must take an archetypal journey known as the "quest." During the quest, a hero must conquer obstacles to save the kingdom (Guerin et.al.154). Rama's obstacle is Ravana, an evil monster who is slowly taking over heaven and earth. Because Ravana never asked for protection from a human being, he can only be destroyed by a human being and this makes Rama's need for success especially important (Narayan 5). a the beginning of the narrative, Rama is forced into exile from his kingdom into the forest for 14 years. This exile begins his quest.
...ing care of Shankar and feels good doing so. He is constantly sacrificing his money and time by helping others This empathy helps him change his life journey by helping him meet new people. Even though helping people delays his own success he does ultimately achieve his dreams.
The epic hero’s journeys hold the hopes for future of ordinary people’s lives. The Epic of Gilgamesh was written in approximately 2000 B.C.E which is highly enriched with Ancient Mesopotamian religions, and The Ramayana was written by ancient Indians in around 1800 B.C.E. The stories were written in two different parts of the world. However, these two stories etched great evidence that show people from generation to generation that different cultures and religions are interconnected; they share ideas with each other. Both Gilgamesh and Rama traveled long journeys in these tales. These epic journeys played a role in the creation of different archetypes. We can clearly see that these two tales share similarities between these archetypes. Although
Although the story bounces between these two main "insinuations", it is never clear to me what or who the story is about and I found this to be an unfulfilling reading. In retrospect my previous readings of literature have been more of the atypical writing style. One that leaves you comfortable and secure and without guesswork "The Indian Uprising" avoids this style at all cost. The author's intent on writing in the style of a collage, although fascinating, is very confusing. I will be the first to admit I'm not the most avid of readers, but having to read a story two or even three times and still not fully perceiving its meaning made it an even more arduous read.
The Ramayana existed in only the oral tradition as far back as 1,500 BC, but in the fourth century BC is generally accepted as the date of its composition in Sanskrit. The collection of poems recounts the tales of Prince Rama and his wife Sita. These collections of kavya’s, or poems, are said to have laid the ground work for what is now known as Hinduism. The seven poems found in the Ramayana are ones that teach a moral or spiritual lesson.
Also with abundance of history relating not only to Hinduism but as well as the backdrop of the story which was the beautiful city of Hastinapura, located on Ganges River, gave me a topographical sense where the city was located therefore providing a connection within me and the epic. There are many topics in which I can analyze and respond about the epic but I will discuss the author Vyasa who is said to be credited for the writing and his important role in the epic also I will describe the epic The Mahabharata and how dharma and fate influences its characters throughout the story and elaborating on the dice game which eventually lead to the declaration of war between the Kauravas and Pandavas clans. Another topic is how dharma is still used to influence society today in India.
Rama demonstrates how one should behave within the hierarchy of one’s family. He is unconditionally loyal to his father to the point that he no qualms over remaining in exile for fourteen years in order to preserve the sanctity of his father’s word, thus protecting his father from “damming himself in this and other worlds” (Narayan 45). Protecting the value of his father’s promise takes precedent over Rama’s other duties as a son, like, for example, partaking in his father’s funeral