Ramayana

"The first major legendary reference to Sri Lanka is found in the great Indian epic, the Ramayana (Sacred Lake of the Deeds of Rama), which was written around 500 B.C. It refers to a conquest of Lanka in 3000 B.C. by Rama, to liberate his abducted wife, Sita, from Ravana, the demon god of Lanka. It is believed that this poetic account is an indicator of the early southward expansion of Brahmanic civilization. Many place names in Sri Lanka, very especially in and around Sri Lankan cities such as Galle, and Nuvara Eliya have close resemblance and relationship with this legendary."

"One of the dramatic episodes in the Ramayana is the abduction by Ravana, the demon-king of Ceylon, of Sita, wife of Rama exiled in the forest. Rama is lured into the forest in pursuit of a deer (a demon in disguise), and his brother Lakshmana, guarding Sita, is tricked into leaving her. Ravana then appears, sweeps Sita off in his aerial chariot. A great vulture, Jatayu, tries to rescue her and though mortally wounded lives long enough to tell Rama of Sita's abduction."

"The Ramayana has a special place in India and South Asia because of the purity of Rama and Sita and their love symbolizing fidelity. The ideal of chivalry in the epic corresponds to that of Europe in the Middle Ages, for Rama is the protector of the oppressed, of widows and orphans; he is the perfect Knight valiant in face of danger, protective and tender to all women while loving Sita alone."

"The Ramayana tells the story of the deeds of Lord Ram who, having devoted himself to fighting demons, defeats in a mighty war Ravan, the demon king of Lanka (present day Sri Lanka), who had kidnapped his wife Sita."

"Hanuman said, "I know that, but the Rama form is for me. The Lord of Jânaki (Janaki is a name of Sitâ.) and the Lord of Shri (Shri is a name of Laksmi.) are the same. They are both the incarnations of the Supreme Self. Yet the lotus-eyed Rama is my all in all". This is Nishtha — knowing that all these different forms of worship are right, yet sticking to one and rejecting the others. We must not worship the others at all; we must not hate or criticize them, but respect them."

"I know that the race that produced Sita— even if it only dreamt of her— has a reverence for woman that is unmatched on earth."

"A Bhakta [Devotee] should be like Sita before Rama. He might be thrown into all kinds of difficulties. Sita did not mind her sufferings; she centered herself in Rama."

"The creative imagination of the Hindus has conceived no loftier and holier character than Sita; the literature of the world has not produced a higher ideal of womanly love, womanly truth, and womanly devotion."

"Ramayana says that when Ram returned home with Sita after destroying w:RavanaRavan, he boastfully narrated the stories of his victories to Sita. She smiled and said. "You rejoice because you have killed a Ravan with ten hands. But what shall you do with one thousand hands. Rama proudly said that he would destroy that demon too."

"This bird [Jatayu] tried to rescue Sita, when Ravan was fleeing after kidnapping her. Ravan fights him and wounds him fatally. Ram himself cremated this bird after death and sent it to heaven."

"In some temples his image [Hanuman] is set up alone standing with a mace in the right hand or sitting in a devotional posture before the images of Ram and Sita. He is considered to be the god of power and strength, who remained a celibate through his whole life."

"...when Vishnu appeared incarnated as Rama she [Lakshmi] came here as Sita."

"It is indeed funny to hear people criticize Lord Rama for giving up his beloved consort princess Sita. They know that by no means are they going to get any satisfactory answer on that question but still this type of criticism of mythology lingers on ..."

"Thus Vishnu was born as Ram and had to take the help of Hanuman to free Sita from the clutches of Ravan."

"The son of Dasaratha and Kausalya, he was a king of Ayodhya who, in the Ramayana, slew the demon Ravana that had captured his consort Sita and was upheld as a deity par excellence in respect of manhood and honour, though his subsequent treatment of his wife might be treated as cavali."

"अत्येति रजनी या तु सा न प्रतिनिवर्तते"

"Vision of the true faith. They utter doctrines repugnant to the Veda, with no understanding of loss or gain; their glass is dim, their eyes are naught; how then can such hapless weights see the beauty of Rama?"

"First I will relate the manner of their exalted converse, after which you shall hear of Rama's incarnation and his all-glorious and sinless deeds. Hari's virtues and names are infinite, and his history and his manifestations beyond number or measure."

"This then was the cause of one birth and the reason why Rama then assumed a human form. Each avatar has its legend, which the poets have sung in various ways and according to tradition. On one occasion it was Narad's curse that caused him to be incarnate."

"Intoxicating liquor was the demon's share, and the poison was for Mahadev; but for yourself Rama and the Kauntulha jewel. You have ever been selfish and and perverse and treacherous in your dealings."

"The lord gladly accepted the curse, thus working the will of the gods, and in his compassion withdrew the influence of his deceptive power. When this was removed, there appeared neither Rama nor the princess; and the saint fell in great fear at the feet of Hari, ever ready to heal the sorrows of a supplicant crying: May my curse be of no effect"

"... Energy, queen of beauty, mother of the world; of whose members are born countless Umas and Ramas and Brahmanas, all alike perfect; by the play of whose eyebrows a world flashes into existence, even Sita, enthroned at Rama's side."

"Shameless, pitiless, and ever bent on mischief, the ten-headed miscreant [Ravana] thought to conquer Rama. Hearken, Bharadwja; if god is worth with a man his diamonds turn in bits of glass that are not worth a cowry."

"Auspicious was the conjunction of the planets in an auspicious house; auspicious the moment; auspicious the day of the week and of the month; and full of delight was all creation, animate and inanimate, when Rama, father of delights, was born."

"There was not one who observed the strange event, and at last the sun set, still chanting Rama's praises. The gods, saints, and Nagas too, who had witnessed the spectacle, returned home congratulating themselves on their good fortune."

"One day his mother, after washing and dressing him put him to sleep in his cradle. When the service was over and she had made her oblation, she returned to the place where she had dressed the food; but when she came there she beheld Rama in the act of eating. In a great fright she ran to the nursery and there found the child again sleeping; but coming back once more she still saw the baby. Then she trembled and was much disturbed in mind for she saw two children, one here and one there, and was utterly bewildered, saying, Are my own senses at fault or is something else the matter? When Rama saw his mother’s distress he broke into a merry laugh."

"On seeing Rama the saint [Vishvamitra] forgot his detachment from the world and was as enraptured with his lovely face as is the chakor with the full moon. Then said the glad king: "Reverend sir, this favour is unparalleled: what is the cause of your coming ..."

"Worship him, says poor Tulsi Das, and cease from all wrangling and hypocrisy. Rama and Lakshman accompanied the saint [Vishvamitra] to the world- purifying Ganges. Both the lord and his younger brother reverently saluted it, and Rama was delighted beyond measure, as the son of Gadhi (Vishvamitra) told him the legend how the heavenly stream had come down to the earth."

"Rama smiled to himself on hearing this. "They are the sons of Dasarath, the glory of the line of Raghu, and the king has sent them to help me. Rama and Lakshman by name, these two brothers, as strong as they are good and beautiful, with their companions, protected my sacrifice and vanquished all the demons in battle."

"The maidens peeping from the windows of the houses at once fell in love with Rama's beauty, and in amorous strain addressed one another: They surpass in beauty a thousand Loves: neither among gods, nor men, nor demons, nor serpents, ..."

"When they perceived that Rama was won by their devotion, they lovingly explain the different places, each according to his own fancy calling away the two brothers, who in their kindness are ever ready to come. Rama shows Lakshmana, still talking in light and merry tone..."

"Sita...wearied with gazing upon Rama's charms, her eyelids forgot to wink, and her whole frame was fulfilled with desire, as is the partridge when it sees the autumnal moon. Receiving Rama into her heart by the pathway of vision, she craftily closed upon him the doors of her eyelids. When her companions saw her thus overcome they were too much abashed to utter a word."

"... Sita was more glad of heart than words can tell ; and as an auspicious omen, her left side, the seat of good fortune, began to throb. The two brothers returned to their Guru, inwardly praising Sita's loveliness ; and Rama related all that had taken place, being simplicity itself and utterly devoid of all guile."

"Wherever the two gallant princes turned, all men's eyes were dazzled ; each saw in Rama what he himself most admired, nor did any one comprehend in the least the special mystery. The saint [Vishvamitra] told the king [Janaka] the arrangements were perfect, and the king was thereby gratified."

"[Royal Announcement] Here is now the great god's massy beam, and whoever in this royal assembly shall to-day bend it shall be renowned in heaven and earth and hell, and at once without hesitation shall receive in marriage the hand of the king's daughter [Sita]. With flushed face and many a close look, they essay the divine bow; but though they put forth all their strength in a thousand different ways, they cannot move it. Those, indeed, who had any sense at all did not go near it. When w:JanakaJanak]] saw the kings thus dismayed he cried aloud as it were in anger: "Hearing the vow that I had made, may kings have come from diverse realms, with gods and demons in human form, stalwart heroes staunch in fight. A lovely bride, a grand triumph and splendid renown, but God it seems has not created the man who can break the bow and win it."

"Yet at last, bowing his head at Rama's lotus feet, he thus spoke in dignified tones: " May there never be repeated in any assembly, where even the lowest of the family of Raghu is present, such a scandalous speech as that now uttered by Janak in the presence of the greatest of the clan."

"Ye elephant warders, ye tortoise, serpent, and boar, hold fast the earth with a will that it shake not, for Rama is about to break the great bow; hearken to my order and be ready." When Rama drew near to the bow, the people all supplicated the gods by their past good deeds."

"Earth, hell, and heaven were pervaded with the glad news: Rama has broken the bow and will wed Sita. The men and women of the city light votive torches, and, regardless of their substance, scatter gifts in profusion. Sita by Rama's side was as resplendent as if beauty and love had met together. Her companions whisper: Embrace your lord's feet; but in excess of fear she dares not touch them."

"Next came Viswamitra to salute him, and placed the two boys at his feet, saying : "These are Rama and Lakshman, Dasarath's sons." He admired the well-matched pair and blessed them, with his eyes long fixed upon Rama's incomparable beauty, which would humble the pride even of Love himself."

"Hearken, Rama; whoever it was who broke Shiva's bow is as much my [Parashurama] enemy as was Sahasrabahu. Separate him from among the assembly, or else every one of these kings shall be killed." When Lakshman heard the saint's words, he smiled and told him in atone of contempt: I have broken many a bow as child, and your never before this angry; why were you so fond of this bow in particular?"

"Said the son of Gradhi [Vishvamitra], smiling to himself : "Everything looks green to the saint's eyes; though Rama has to-day broken the bow as though it were a stick of sugarcane, still he has not the sense to understand."

"As Bhrigupati [Parashurama]] heard his fearless words, his whole body was on fire with rage, and he became quite powerless and in a tone of entreaty cried to Rama: " See if you can manage this little brother of yours; so fair without and foul within, he resembles a golden jar full of poison."

"The king made obeisance before Viswamitra, saying : It is by my lord's favour that Rama has broken the bow. These two brothers have given me the victory: tell me now, reverend sir, what it becomes me to do. Said the saint : "Hearken, wise king; the marriage was dependent on the bow, and took effect directly the bow broke; this is well known to every one, whether god, man, or Naga."

"Who, 0 king [Dasharatha], can be more blest than you, who have a son like Rama? nay, four heroic sons, all equally obedient, religious, and amiable. Happy indeed are you for all time. Prepare the marriage procession to sound of music."

"Here were rhapsodists chanting songs of praise; here were Brahmans muttering Vedic spells; while lovely women carolled joyous songs, ever dwelling on the names of Rama and Sita. The joy was so great that the palace was too small for it, and it overflowed on all four sides."

"Every good and auspicious omen was ready at hand for him whose glorious son was the incarnate god, for a bridegroom like Rama and Sita his bride, and the pious Dasarath and Janak, the two parents. When they heard of the marriage, all the good omens began to dance and say: "Now at last the Creator has made us to be what our name denotes"."

"Rama alone recognized the influence of Sita, and rejoiced at this proof of her love. When the two brothers heard of their father's [Dasaratha] arrival they could not contain themselves for joy, but were too modest to speak to their guru, though they longed greatly their sire again."

"Seeing the auspiciousness of the time, the deities rained down flowers and beat their drums. Shiva and Brahma and all the host of heaven mounted their chariots and came in crowds to see Rama's wedding, their heart and every limb throbbing and quivering with excess of love. They were so charmed with Janak's capital that their own realms seemed to them as nothing worth."

"After the lustral rite and the oblation Rama proceeded to the pavilion. So great was the splendour and magnificence of Dasarath and his retinue that Indra was put to shame by it. From time to time the gods rained down flowers, while the Brahmans repeated the appropriate propitiatory texts."

"When he saw the gods the all-wise Rama assigned them what seats they fancied; and the heavenly powers were delighted to behold the gracious manner of their lord. As the partridge drinks in the light of the moon, so their eyes reverently drank in the beauty of Rama’s face with the utmost rapture."