HINDU RESOURCES >> IMPACT OF THE RAMAYAN

by Shri Prakash Gossai

Our forefather’s benevolence in continuing to practice their religion and culture when they migrated from India to Guyana and the Caribbean Islands will forever stand as one of the greatest gift to us. Many brought the Ramayan with them as one of their sacred possessions.

Saint Valmiki originally composed the Ramayan in Sanskrit at the end of Treta Yuga. Later, Goswami Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas in Hindi in the 16th century. Ramayan is one of the most important literary and oral texts in the world. The message and philosophy of Ramayan transcends the boundaries of India and Hindus, as it reiterates man’s faith in the soundness of moral order and values that sustains the world.

The structure of Goswami Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas is arranged in seven Kaandas-Books:

1. Bala Kand- Book of Shri Ram’s childhood
2. Ayodhya Kand- Book of Ayodhya
3. Aranya Kand- Book of Shri Ram’s life in the Forest
4. Kishkinda Kand- Meeting of Hanuman and Shri Ram
5. Sundar Kand- Book of Beauty
6. Lanka Kand- Book of Lanka
7. Uttar Kand-Return to Ayodhya or Epilogue

For centuries the Ramayan have had great impact on individuals, society, political systems, arts and culture and will continue to impact these in the future. This impact has widened to cover many nationalities through different languages of the world.

The doctrine of the Ramayan emphasizes that God dwells in all of us and gives a vivid picture of how we can establish Hindu Dharma in our minds. Even today our domestic, social and national ideals are copied from the noble characters of the Ramayan. The lives of Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughuna provide a model of fraternal affection and mutual service. Shri Hanuman stands as an ideal devotee. The life of Sita is regarded as the most perfect example of womanly fidelity, chastity and virtue. Ramayan depicts how a man should behave towards his elders, equals and inferiors, how a king ought to rule his kingdom, how a man should lead his life in this world, how he can obtain his freedom, perfection and liberation, may all be learnt from this excellent epic.

The four-fold goal of human life is:

1. Dharma (Righteousness)
2. Aartha (Worldly Prosperity)
3. Kama (Enjoyment), and
4. Moksha (Liberation)

In the pursuit of the first three one can be helped by others, but in the pursuit of moksha, one is essentially alone. That is why in the Vivaha Sanskaar, the wedding vow reads: Dharma cha, Aartha cha, Kama cha, Naticharami: “I shall abide by you in Dharma, Aartha and Kama”.

RAAMAAYA RAM BHADRAAYA RAMCHANDRAAYA VEDH SAY
RAGHUNATH-AAYA NATHAAYA SEETAYAA-H PATYE NAMAHA

I bow down to Lord Rama, the blessed, the auspicious, the gracious, the fountain of intelligence having the brilliance of the moon, who is the creator and destroyer of all, who is the Lord of Raghus, who is the Lord of all and the beloved of Seeta.

The Ramcharitmanas is the greatest contribution made by Tulsidas to spiritual health, moral responsibility and world culture. He sees the soul where it belongs, as the culmination of an evolution that enables man to find God. Life does not begins at birth or end at death; it is a link in an infinite series of lives, each of which is determined by Karma (acts) done in previous existences. The attainment of Moksha (liberation) is the goal of each individual through prayer and worship; ritual and sacrifice; and Gyaan (knowledge). Tulsidas has blessed the world by spreading the light of Vedic knowledge and accessible explorations of the experience of God.

The Ramayan contains the essence of Indian teachings about the duties of life as well as spiritual obligations. Everyone has duties of various kinds. The objective is to perform our duties without attachment to the result. True Yoga consists of non-attachment to the fruits of action, and faith in the pervasiveness of the Supreme spirit. In this remarkable epic, Tulsidas depicts Shri Hanuman as the ideal unique Karmic yogi, the perfect devotee and servant of Shri Ram. It expresses, so profoundly a universal message of the unity of spiritual ideals and magically nourishes the mind, heart and soul. Ramayan contains noble moral teachings, useful lessons of all kinds, many beautiful stories and episodes, discourses, parables and dialogue, which set forth the principles of morals and metaphysics, links spirituality to human needs and enables man to find God.

In this beautiful Bhajan, we see the Impact of Ramayan and the Lord embracing his devotees with divine love.

RAAM KE CHARNO ME JO BHEE AA GAYAA
KUL JAHAA KEE NEMTE WO PAA GAYA
Whoever comes to the feet of Shree Ram, receives all that is desired

RAAM KAA SUMIRAN KIYAA HANUMAN NE
RAAM KE DIL ME JAGAH WO PAA GAYAA
Hanuman constantly remembered him and won a place in his heart

RAAM KEE DEEWAANEE SHABREE NAAM THAA
RAAM JOOTHE BER JISKE KHAA GAYAA
Shabree expressed intense love for Him. He in turn ate ‘jhutay’ plums from her.

RAAM KAA SUMIRAN KIYAA PRAHALAAD NE
GARM KHAMBE SE LIPAT HARSHAA GAYAA
Prahalad rememberd him and embracing the hot pillar became very happy
(God appeared from it).

BANDE TOO BHEE NAAM JAPLE RAAM KAA
TAR GAYAA JO BHEE SHARAN ME AA GAYAA
Therefore, O devotee if you also remember Him, you will finally reach his shelter.

The Lord is with us at all times, all we have to do is remember Him.

Ramayan unfolds a magical stairway to ascend to life-changing experiences of the sacred, showing that God consciousness unfolds in a series of stages, each important and remarkable in itself, yet each brings us closer to God.

Step 3

Step 2

Step 1

Manas - refers to the mind. This step reminds us of the importance of stabilizing the mind and purifying it-“Ram Katha” will help in this process. Lets translate the instructions of Tulsidas in our lives. Destroy the evil thoughts. Let noble thoughts prevail.

Charit - refers to the action we perform. In carrying out our duties, we should:

a) Bring happiness to people
b) Don’t hurt people
c) Build a decent society
d) Get nearer to the realization of God

Let this important step remind us of the importance of appropriate behavior at all times.

If man successfully climbs the first two steps- Shree Ram’s embrace is readily available. Let us therefore use this precious body as the instrument to climb. God’s realization is the first goal of mankind.

Lets destroy anger, greed, hate and jealousy and promote the growth of unconditional love.

AAPADAAM PAHARTAARAM, DAATAARAM SARV-SAMPADAAM
LOKAA BHIRAAMAM SHREE RAAMAM, BHOOYO BHOOYO NAMAAMYAHAM
We bow down again and again to the Lotus feet of Shree Ram, the source of all happiness: the one who relieves all from sufferings of the world and the bestower of all riches here and hereafter. Please Lord, bless us and protect us. We prostrate to you again and again.

Prem Say Bolo Shree Ram Ke Jai