Rama's enduring legacy: Exploring the timeless appeal of Ramayana across cultures and generations

The Ramayana, one of the two great Indian epics, is considered one of world literature’s largest ancient story poems with over 24,000 verses divided into seven kaandas (chapters). The story of Rama, or Prince Ramchandra, the heir-apparent of Ayodhya, said to have been written by Maharshi Valmiki, is a classic tale that has enthralled generations of Indians across the ages. The cultural connection to this story-poem spans states and regions, as well as divisions of language, class and caste. Indeed, as the epic is told and re-told, in both the oral tradition of story-telling as well as through literary texts that translate, adapt and even reshape the story to suit a more modern context, it is interesting to note that it remains a reflection of the Indian cultural ethos and way of life.

What makes Rama hold such sway over the hearts and minds of generations, both old and young?

Rama is considered the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Creator, born as a man to rid the earth of evil. Though born into a royal family, Rama is forced to go into exile for 14 years, thanks to the machinations of his stepmother, Kaikeyi. His wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshmana, join him voluntarily, each invoking their ‘dharma’ or duty. Here, it is pertinent to note that Rama and Sita are considered the ideal couple, virtuous and devoted to each other. In exile, not only do they experience poverty and hardship, but Rama is also faced with moral and ethical questions that are at odds with his personal views.

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It is his fealty to his father, his adherence to what he considers his dharma, and his honesty and integrity that make him the flagbearer of society’s moral values. By living his life according to these principles, he showed – rather than said – how a man must live his life to ensure the larger good of society. It is precisely for this reason that the Ramayana – and not the Mahabharata – is recited in many Indian households: the aim is to furnish a household, especially children, with role models who live their life with integrity, without violating their dharma. In a much broader sense, Rama embodies the values of Hinduism – love, compassion, obedience, duty, humility, and selflessness. He is seen as a symbol of virtue, and above all, of dharma, the act of living righteously. It is these characteristics that endear him to the common man, who sees in him a hero worthy of emulation.

Rama’s popularity can also be attributed to his story becoming a part of the pan-Indian narrative through vernacular retellings. Adhyatma Ramayanam, an allegorical text in Sanskrit, Tulsidas’s Ram Charit Manas in Awadhi, Kamban’s Ramayanam in Tamil, Adhyatmaramayanam Kilippatu by Thunjaththu Ezhuthachan, as well as various other regional works, theatrical productions and oral re-tellings, for instance, helped popularise the epic across the nation. Moreover, the journey from Ayodhya to Lanka spans the length of the country, and each place that the exiled prince, his wife and brother stopped in, developed its lore and legends that are attached to this much-beloved trio.

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Ramayana has also spread its roots beyond the nation’s borders. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Cambodia, Burma, Nepal, Philippines, Malaysia, etc., have not only embraced this epic but, in their retelling, also added local characters and Buddhist, Jain and even Islamic cultural perspectives. The epic has also had a profound impact on the literature, art and culture of the sub-continent and other countries in South-East Asia.

Culturally, Rama’s name continues to hold great significance, especially in North India, where ‘Ram Ram’ is a common greeting. His name is also the one that is most invoked at death when chants of ‘Ram Naam Satya Hai’ accompany the deceased on the final journey. The reason for this is not hard to seek – Rama is considered to be the ‘Maryada Purushottam’, or the greatest among men, someone who never stepped outside prescribed social or moral limits.

Swami Vivekananda described Rama as the “‘embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king.” His principles of justice tempered by compassion, his insistence on putting his subjects’ welfare above everything else, and the idea that a ruler must be accountable to the citizens he rules over is the reason why his reign is, even today, considered ‘Ram Rajya’ or the ideal state.

The paradox of a rapidly shrinking world in which communication is easier than ever before is that human beings are now increasingly isolated from one another. In a world that’s divided by hatred, the tale of Rama who faces adversity with patience, humility and compassion, and triumphs over evil, is an aspirational tale as well as an inspiring one. To follow in his footsteps on a path of righteousness is to sublimate one’s ego and broaden one’s consciousness to live a virtuous life filled with purpose.

It is perhaps time we are inspired to follow not only his name but also his values if we want to continue to keep ‘Rama’ relevant to modern society.

The author is a managing trustee of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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