25/07/2013
VALMIKI RAMAYANA
One of the greatest of Indian Epics of all time'The Ramayana' or 'The Journey of Rama' is ostensibly the story of Rama of Ayodhya-----the prince who spent fourteen years in exile to honour his father's wish, the many battles he valiantly fought to overcome evil in various forms and last but not the least, the heroic choices he made to stick to the path of Dharma or righteousness.
Adi Kavi Valmiki presents Rama who is more human than godlike, riven by loss and sorrow as he loses his beloved Sita first to the evil designs of Ravana whom Later he defeats in a ferocious battle, and then to Mother Earth, who opens up to enfold Sita forever after the Agnipariksha she is made to go through to prove her chastity.
Valmiki Ramayana, multi-layered and often symbolic, encompasses the most important aspects of ancient Indian culture-----a value system based on honour and duty, the burdens of kingship, social and filial ideals, ----and has at its heart the concept of Dharma.