Valmiki Ramayana: An Illustrated Edition

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Eastern Religions, Hinduism
Cover of the book Valmiki Ramayana: An Illustrated Edition by Raja Sharma, Raja Sharma
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Raja Sharma ISBN: 9781465885357
Publisher: Raja Sharma Publication: November 18, 2011
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Raja Sharma
ISBN: 9781465885357
Publisher: Raja Sharma
Publication: November 18, 2011
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

It is a firm Hindu belief that Gods take on human forms from time to time to reform the society by their deeds which become firm examples for the people. In wonderful long stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the God takes on human form in order to heal a breach in the order of society, and thus the world in general. In the actions of Gods there is a motive to reestablish the moral code of social conduct and proper relation of mankind to divinity.

Most of the tales and folk tales come from these two epics. Ramayana tells the story of Rama, the ideal Hindu man and king, whose wife Sita is abducted by Ravana, the king of Lanka. There is subsequent adventurous journey of Rama to Lanka to conquer the demon king and free his beloved wife Sita from the captivity of the demon king.

These long epics are the combination of educative tales, edifying poems, and fables. It is probably through their constant retelling in the villages over centuries that Hinduism is most efficiently disseminated from generation to generation.

For some very obvious reasons India's beautiful spiritual mythology can constitute a serious obstacle to the Westerner who is developing an interest in Vedanta if he takes this mythology too literally (as many people do). He draws back in amazed disbelief when he discovers that there is no good historical evidence for India's favourite divine incarnations, Rama and Krishna.

A layman from the Western world is further taken aback when he encounters India's many gods; some beautiful, some strange, and some grotesque! He can be so shocked that he may lose interest in India's great spiritual tradition before he has investigated it. What he needs to do is to explore the history and go to the roots to get to the truth, for without knowing the background of each god, he will take them very lightly, perhaps like taking the cartoons from a comic book. But, it is a very serious matter and one must keep in mind that there must have been some solid reasons for the ancient Indians to worship these gods and numerous deities and divine figures.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

It is a firm Hindu belief that Gods take on human forms from time to time to reform the society by their deeds which become firm examples for the people. In wonderful long stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the God takes on human form in order to heal a breach in the order of society, and thus the world in general. In the actions of Gods there is a motive to reestablish the moral code of social conduct and proper relation of mankind to divinity.

Most of the tales and folk tales come from these two epics. Ramayana tells the story of Rama, the ideal Hindu man and king, whose wife Sita is abducted by Ravana, the king of Lanka. There is subsequent adventurous journey of Rama to Lanka to conquer the demon king and free his beloved wife Sita from the captivity of the demon king.

These long epics are the combination of educative tales, edifying poems, and fables. It is probably through their constant retelling in the villages over centuries that Hinduism is most efficiently disseminated from generation to generation.

For some very obvious reasons India's beautiful spiritual mythology can constitute a serious obstacle to the Westerner who is developing an interest in Vedanta if he takes this mythology too literally (as many people do). He draws back in amazed disbelief when he discovers that there is no good historical evidence for India's favourite divine incarnations, Rama and Krishna.

A layman from the Western world is further taken aback when he encounters India's many gods; some beautiful, some strange, and some grotesque! He can be so shocked that he may lose interest in India's great spiritual tradition before he has investigated it. What he needs to do is to explore the history and go to the roots to get to the truth, for without knowing the background of each god, he will take them very lightly, perhaps like taking the cartoons from a comic book. But, it is a very serious matter and one must keep in mind that there must have been some solid reasons for the ancient Indians to worship these gods and numerous deities and divine figures.

More books from Raja Sharma

Cover of the book Literature Companion: The Virgin Suicides by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Quick Guide: Supermale by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Ready Reference Treatise: The Grapes of Wrath by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Ready Reference Treatise: Coriolanus by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Ready Reference Treatise: The Crucible by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Ready Reference Treatise: The Boxcar Children by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Ready Reference Treatise: Barn Burning by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Literature Help: Years of Wonders by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book A Town without Literature by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Ready Reference Treatise: The Book of the City of Ladies by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Literature Help: The Heart of the Matter by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Glimpse of Love by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book कथा सागर: 25 प्रेरणा कथाएं (भाग 6) by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book A Drop of Dew: A Tragic Love Story by Raja Sharma
Cover of the book Literature Companion: For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Raja Sharma
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy