Thursday 18 November 2021

THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREAT INDIAN EPIC - RAMAYANA

 



Ramayana is said to be the first Kavya (poetry) and its author Valmiki is called as Adikavi. It is one of the most interesting and elevating Kavyas. Narada narrated the story of Rama on the request of Valmiki. After sometime Valmiki proceeded to the river Tamasa. On the way, he saw a hunter killing the mate of a Kraunca bird couple (Love-birds). This disturbed the feelings of Valmiki. Having merged into the universal compassion he pronounced a curse on the hunter and that came in the form the following verse:

“Maa nishaadha prathisthaam tvam, Agamas saasvatees samaah l

 Yat kraunca-mithunaad ekam, Avadheeh kaama-mohitam ll”

Valmiki could not believe himself as the author of this verse. Brahmaa the four-faced Lord (Creator) appeared before him and explained to him the process of composing poetry. He requested Valmiki to continue this art by recording the story of Rama. Brahmaa blessed him that he would know the secret happenings in the life of Sri Rama. Valmiki who was experiencing an immeasurable grief on seeing the death of the ‘Kraunca’ bird, decided to compose the long history of Sri Rama’s life in the same sentiment. This is evidenced in the statement of Kalidasa ‘Slokatvam aapadyata yasya Sokah’.

Ramayana as it is available today consists of seven chapters called Kaandas. They are Baala, Ayodhyaa, Aaranya, Kishkindha, Sundara, Yuddha and Uttara Kaanda.  It contains 24000 verses. It is called as 'Kaavyam, Puraanam, Aakhyaanam, Itihaasam and Samhitaa.  As it is recited with the accompaniment of instruments it is also called as Geetham.

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