The Epic Story of Ramayan: From Heaven to Earth
Ramayan: The Epic Story of Rama | Rama: The 7th Incarnation of Lord Vishnu
Dashavatar
represents the ten different incarnations of Lord Vishnu, which were taken to
save the earth and its living beings from destruction. This article will
narrate the story of the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
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| Ramayan |
Who is Rama?
Lord Rama is
one of the most adored and worshipped gods in India. He is depicted holding a
bow and arrow indicating his readiness to destroy evils, his story forms the
epic Ramayana. Rama can be described as a man who displays perfect moral and
social behavior. In the words of Swami Vivekananda, Rama is the embodiment of
the truth of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the
ideal king. He is a symbol of the victory of night over evil. Rama is perfect
in every aspect and is often referred to as Maryada Purushottam which means the
one who is the supreme man.
The Epic Story of Rama: From Prince to God | The
Epic Story of Lord Ram and His Family
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| Sampurn Ramayan |
Rama was the
son of the king of Ayodhya, Dashratha. King Dasharatha had three wives,
Kaushalya, Sumitra, and Kaikayi. Rama was born to Kaushalya, Kaikeyi gave birth
to Bharata, and to Sumitra, the twins Lakshamana and Shatrughna were born. Rama
was the eldest son and Bharata the second eldest. When Ram attained the age to
be crowned king, Manthara, a servant maid brainwashed Kaikeyi that Bharata
should be the king and not Rama.
After
repeated attempts to manipulate Kaikeyi, Manthara finally succeeds. Kaikeyi
went to Dasharatha and very slyly reminded him of what he had promised her,
when Dasharatha asked what did her heart desire, she said that she wanted her
son Bharata to be crowned as the king of Ayodhya and that Rama should be sent
on an exile of fourteen years. On hearing this, Dasharatha was spellbound but
as he had promised Kaikeyi, he could not go back on his word. Even before
Dasharatha could order Rama, drama at once to fulfill his father's words along
with Sita and Lakshman left for their fourteen-year-long exile. It is important
to remember that when these events took place, Bharata was away from the
kingdom and thus was unaware of all that happened. After coming back he was sad
and angry about his mother's bad deed. He reprimanded her and wished that she
was dead. Ram, on the other hand, was camping in Chitrakoot and leading a
simple life. But later, they moved to Panchavati as suggested by Agasthya Muni.
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Shurpanakha
the sister of Ravana of Lanka had this area occupied along with her other two
brothers Khar and Doosan. One day Shurpanakha by chance happened to pass by the
hermitage where Rama was staying. She was stunned by seeing these three
beautiful human beings. She wanted to marry Rama, but Rama refused to entertain
Shurpanakha. This made her furious and wanted to kill Sita, to protect Sita,
Lakshaman cut off her nose. Shurpanakha was so angry, that she went straight to
her brother Ravana and reported the matter to him.
Shurpanakha
also informed Ravana about this divine beauty, Sita. Then Ravana decided to
make her his wife and also fight Rama, Ravana asked his associate Maarich to
take the form of an attractive deer. Maarich as told by Ravana took the shape
of a golden deer and on seeing the beautiful deer, Sita wanted Rama to get it
for her to play with. Rama to make his wife's wish come true went behind the
deer and asked Lakshamana to take after her while he was away. As Rama left,
Sita and Lakshman heard Rama call out their names in agony. Sita was so
terrified by this, thinking Rama was in danger, that she asked Lakshaman to go
look for Rama. Lakshaman did not want to leave Sita alone. However, Sita
insists that he should go to find his brother Rama and she would be fine.
Before leaving, Lakshmana drew a line on the porch and asked Sita to not cross
it at any cost, Sita thus agreed.
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After they
were both gone, came a sage to ask for alms, Sita was compassionate and
therefore she could not turn him away and offered the Jangamaiah (sage) what
she had. As soon as she crossed the line drawn by Lakshaman, the Jangam (sage) revealed himself as
Ravana and took her by her waist, and abducted her. As Sita was being taken
away to Lanka, Jatayu, the eagle king saw them and tried to stop Ravana, but
Ravana cut his wings off and he fell to the ground. When Rama and Lakshamana
returned to the hut, they were shocked to see Sita gone. Jatayu held his last breath
and after telling him about Sita's abduction, he died.
A series of
vigorous searches began, and both Rama and Lakshmana, at last, came to
Rishyamukha Mountain. Shabari had told them to meet Sugreeva who alone would be
able to help Rama to rescue Sita. Hanuman when he heard their story said in
turn that king Sugreeva too was in the same predicament, as he too had lost his
wife and was turned out of the kingdom by his brother. Therefore, he was sure
that Sugreeva would be of use in finding Sita. Sugreeva thus took the vow of
friendship, and he promised to help Rama, and Rama in return promised to make
him the king of Kishkindha and also retrieve his wife. Rama killed Sugreev's
brother Vali as promised and Sugreeva was made the king of Kishkindha. Upon becoming
the king, Sugreeva on his part sent four batches of Vaanaras, or the monkeys
towards east, west, north, and the south. And strictly ordered them that their
search for Sita should be completed in the month.
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All three
directions were fruitless in terms of finding Sita. However, towards the south,
an eagle named Sampati informed the Vaanaras that Sita was in Lanka. And if one
needed to rescue her, one must cross the ocean. But now the question remained
how they do cross the ocean? Soon after, the monkey army made a bridge out of
big rocks with Shree Ram written on them. The rocks floated on the water and
thus all of them could cross the sea and reach Lanka. In Lanka, a huge battle
broke out between both parties. Rama killed Ravana and made Vibhishana the king
of Lanka. Thus, Sita was rescued and brought back. Rama, Lakshamana, and Sita
came back to Ayodhya after their fourteen-year-long exile and at last, Rama
became the king of Ayodhya.
His reign
was the perfect example of a monarchy. Even among today's political parties in
India, it is remembered as Rama-Rajya. If you feel this short story is
informative then share it on social media platforms to spread the Holy story of
Ramayana and Hinduism facts all over the world.
Read More:
- Why Lord Vishnu took Kurma Avatar?
- Why Maa Saraswati was cursed Lord Bramha?
- What is the story behind Narasimha Avatar?
- Why Narad Muni does not stay in one place?
Thank You!
Million-$-Knowledge
