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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