Popularity of Ramayanam

   Ramayanam has become a popular book at the hands of all the people of India high and low, Prince and peasants, Noble men and artisans. All of them are quite familiar with the characters and the story of this great epic. It is held in great esteem by the Hindus. It is used for daily recitation by the pious. The following are the causes for its popularity.

(1)     The concept of AVATAAR ‘Avatar’ has gone into the minds of all Hindus and its roots are strengthened by the faiths and beliefs in the historicity of the concept of AVATAAR ‘Avatar’ of Rama and Krishna. In this regard Ramayanam accounts for the character of Rama which is cherished by everyone as a model.

(2)     Style:

The style of Valmiki is simple, dignified and polished. It does not contain any word of rare occurrence. It is also free from the use of long compounds which are a familiar sight in the other later day Kavyas. The following verse will show how simple and dignified is Valmiki "Vaahi vaatha yathah kaanthaam thaam sprushtvaa maamapi sprusa l Thvayi me gaathrasamsparsas chandhre drushti-samaagamaha ll" ‘vaaih vaat yat: kanta taM spRYT\vaa maamaip spRSa.%vaiya mao gaa~saMspSa-: cand`o dRiYT samaagama:..’

(3)     Use of Alankaras (figures of speech):

The simplicity of the style is heightened by the use of the figures of speech like Upamaa, Roopakam, Svabhaavokthi ‘]pmaa ÉpkM svaBaavaaoi> etc. which are commonly used and other similar figures of speech have also been used to perfection by Valmiki. All sentiments find their legitimate share. The language which has an inexplicable effect on the hearer is also a reason for its popularity.

(4)     Power of characterisation:

The author has a remarkable insight into the workings of the human mind and it is revealed in the vivid portrayal of characters. The success in this epic is to a large extent due to the golden opportunity given to Valmiki by the life of Rama. Rama’s role as a dutiful son, a loyal husband, an affectionate brother, a devoted friend and a responsible King has been cut to perfection. The uncompromising nature of Rama, the fidelity of Sita, the pangs of separation of the couple Rama and Sita, the unity of monkeys and host of other things had been delineated in a most ideal manner. The characters of Rama and Sita have been described as models for the human beings.

(5)     Power of description:

Equally unique is Valmiki’s power of description. Modern Sanskrit poetry contains very few descriptions of the kind which are seen in Ramayanam. In this connection we may cite the description of the winter in the AaranyaKaanda ‘AarNyakaND’ and the rainy season in KishkindhaaKaanda ‘ikiYknQaakaND’ etc.

        He is almost unsurpassed in the description of the sentiment of Pathos. At the same time he has              described all other sentiments like heroism, humour, love and wonder. His descriptions of the                  forest, hermitage, palaces, battle, gardens, men, towns and men’s behaviour are realistic.                          Innumerable are the wise sayings which filled this epic. They all teach men the path to spiritual              and material progress. The epic is responsible for moulding the character of our country. Since                Valmiki’s description of administrative capacities of Rama, the word Ramarajyam ‘ramarajyama\’ has              come to mean the rule of Rama. Its influences on the later literature are also enomous. Valmiki                himself says, "Param kaveenaam aadhaaram puraa vaalmeekinaa krutham", ‘prM kvaInaamaaQaarM pura          vaalmaIiknaa Ìtma\’. ‘This is one of the supreme sources of the poets’.            The Ramayanam is called         Adikavyam and Valmiki is called Adikavi.