Rama and Sita

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The Ramayana is not just a story; It is a shared cultural spring, ancient and yet ever new, from which flow countless songs, plays, names, expressions, metaphors, and even plots for Hollywood movies. Among the countless different telling of the tale, we can discern some semblance of a core of more or less common events. The "history" of Rama is something different. The legend was based on Ramayana, a multi-author multi-rescension book of thousands of verses.

• Rama is regarded as the Avtar, "incarnation of Vishnu," one of the supreme deities in the Hindu pantheon and regarded as the divinity of the world. The Rama legend is three things: story, history, and theology. The story of Rama is a good story: fine, fantastic and romantic. Like all good stories, it has elements of intrigue, jealousy chivalry, cupidity, morality and drama. It made one of the most gripping television serials in India.

  The story of prince Rama from the kingdom of Ayodya, the incarnation of God Vishnu. One day Rama won a battle contest, organized by King Janaka Of Mantili his award was a marriage with king's beautiful daughter - Sita. He is a wise man, faithful husband struggling to free his beautiful wife, Sita, who had been abducted by the ogre King Rahwana or Dasamuka. Rama's mother - Princess Kausalya of Ayoda, was very attractive but she had a desperate and unhappy life. She was paralyzed. In fact, her suffering was a God's will in order to prepare her to gave birth to a would be hero - a just great king with full of wisdom.

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  Just before Rama's coronation as King of Ayoda began his grave test in life, his step mother, Kekayi, asked Dasarata to execute his promise. Dasarata was severely sick, and Kekayi was the only one who could cure him. At that time he made her a promise, that he would do whatever a wish she wanted and that should be executed one day upon her requests.

  Rama had to leave the palace and for 13 years have to live in the jungle of Dandaka. This is a promise which can not be neglected, by noble people and gentlemen. In his exile, Rama was accompanied by his lovely wife Sita and his brother Lamsman. His brother, the son of Kekayi, Barata, remained in Ayoda to become the ruler during Rama's absence. Barata, upon learning what had happened, pursued Rama in the jungle, begging him to come back to rule. Barata did not want to be a king, he loves and adored Rama very much. Rama wisely told him, that as a ksatria (warrior), he has to carry out the order of the king. He appreciated Barata and gave him his shoes as symbol of his crown and taught him the eight principals doctrines of leadership

  Victoriously, Rama, Sita and Laksmana returned to Ayoda after thirteen years of exile and agony. They were warmly greeted by the people of Ayoda, impatiently willing to see Rama, the great hero and wise king, and his beautiful and faithful queen Sita. They were adored by the people. Unfortunately this happiness did not last long. The people started not to trust Sita's faithfulness to Rama. It was not possible if a woman held by a man for twelve years and nothing happened. At the beginning the people believe that Sita was faithful as she had passed successfully her oath soon after her release that she would be burn to ashes if she was unfaithful. Factually she remained alive and intact after the burning. Rumors made the situation unfortunate for Sita. The burning was only witnessed by Laksmana, Rama's brother, probably protecting her good name and by monkeys, there was no man trust monkey in history.

  Rama's rule is a time of great prosperity. Unfortunately, many of the people are suspicious of a woman who has lived in the domain of another and ugly rumors about Sita begin to spread. To obey the will of the people, Rama has his beloved Sita exiled to the forest even though she is pregnant. He refuses, however, to take another wife. Sita goes to live in the hermitage of the sage Valmiki and has two sons Lava and Kusha. In response to the people's wishes, Rama has a horse sacrifice performed. The sacrificial horse is captured by Lava and Kusha who defeat Rama's entire army and all its commanders. The two sing about the injustice done to Sita and the tearful people beg Rama to bring her back to Ayodhya. When she comes back, some people again start saying bad things about her. Unable to bear the false accusations anymore, she calls upon her mother Earth to take her home. In response, the ground opens up and she leaves behind a heart-broken Rama. Once Lava and Kusha are old enough to accept the kingship, he passes it on to them. With his last duties on Earth performed, Rama ends his stay on this world by walking into the depths of the river Sarayu. Sita was thrown away while pregnant into the jungle. When she was aware the reason why she was expelled from Ayoda, accused of being dishonest to husband, Sita screamed and cried hysterically. The world could not bear to hear her crying, suddenly it became dark, poured heavy rain, with thunders and lighting. The gigantic waves stormed the sea.

  This story teaches us a lot, especially by setting different models to the people in India. Each characters on the story play an important role not only on that story, but its also effecting the life of the people in India today. Some set good models for an Indian life, while some give a negative few of life. This story also gives the people ideas or religion and how it relates to the different kind of religions in this days.

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  Hanuman, known as the monkey, was known as the Helper God and he is being loved throughout India. His role in the story was helping Rama and find Sita. He was the one who have finally found Sita and show her the a ring, proving that he was send by Rama. He was a good character in the story and now being known as a Helper God. He sacrificed his life along with Rama to find Sita, and rescued her.

  The character Sita, known to be Rama's devoted wife, also set a good model for Indian women today. Besides being the wife of Rama in this story, she showed how a women should devote themselves to their husband and to serve their husband as their God. She was loyal to her husband, Rama, and she try to show how pure she was by going into the fire. In short terms, Sita was the role model for Indian women today.

  Rama, known to be the actor on Ramayana, was not just a character but also a God. From the story, Rama was a good character. He was loyal, a good dharma, and he also set a good model for Indian men's life. He was known as the one who born to the world to safe the world. The way she protect and rescued her wife show us how she care and devoted to her wife. As a model, he show Indian man to be brave as a warrior. As a leader, he showed how to rule with prosperity. With all this, he also show how to respect his parents, and obey them.

  The four brothers in this story also left a right path and a good example of how each should respect and take care of each other. They all show respect and care to each other and moreover to their parents. Without respect that each have with each other, they ruled the place with peace.

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  Finally, everyone approaches the Ramayana differently. To some, it is first and foremost the tale of the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born as the perfect embodiment of Dharma on Earth - the Maryaada Purushottama. Some consider it the story of a human hero, the greatest devotee of Lord Shiva, freeing the weak from domination by the strong. Others are devoted to the child Rama, playing lovingly with his mothers and brothers. Still others concentrate on the loving married relationship of the young Rama and Sita and their blissful years before exile.

  Yet another group views the Ramayana as a call for social justice and sees an example in Rama's acceptance of all living beings and his work to elevate the humble and bring down the arrogant. But all those who plunge themselves into the depths of this epic soon begin to feel the inner power of this living tradition.
  

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  Here are some links that you have to check it out.... Its really cool, and more informative. Don't miss the chance to get further information about this story, and they are all just a click away:

  • Dr. Heinz' Asian Studies Class
  • Rama the Hero
  • Lesson in Dharma
  • Srimad Ramayana

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  This page was created by Elston Kun. Joe at CSU- Chico with the assistance of Dr. Carolyn Heinz. Please, if you have any suggestions or feedback, email me and let me know. I really appreciate it, and without feedback, there will be no progress.

  

  ekjoe@ecst.csuchico.edu

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