Dashratha, the prince of Ayodhya, was out hunting when he heard the sound of an elephant drinking water. Aiming his bow the prince shot in the direction of the sound. Tragically, the arrow killed a youth who was filling water in a pitcher for his old and blind parents. The anguished father cursed Dashratha that one day he would die grieving for his son. Dashratha's son was the valiant and unparalleled, Rama.
Dasharatha , Ajamaharaja and Indumathi’s son, was better known as Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi’s husband and Sri Rama’s father, the king of Ayodhya. He ruled for 60,000 years, was a courageous kshatriya and had mastered the Vedas and other branches of knowledge. His rule had a spiritual base and he was advised by sage Vashista and sage Vamadeva. As he had no children, he performed two yajnas after which his three queens gave birth to Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrughna. Reminding him of the two boons that were due to her from the king, Kaikeyi demanded that her son be made the king of Ayodhya against the popular choice of Rama. Later, when Viswamitra asked him to send Rama to help him in the conduct of a yajna, he was hesitant and even scared because it involved his young son. He was in constant turmoil after he was forced to keep his word to Kaikeyi. He could not tolerate life after the departure of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita to the forest and hence passed away. When Rama killed the wicked Ravana, Dasharatha appeared in the sky and blessed Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. He was a rajarshi who was endowed with good qualities. However, he suffered because of his small weakness, that is, sometimes doing things without thinking. Our other books here can be searched using #BharathaSamskruthiPrakashana
Discover the Ramayana—one of India’s most celebrated epics, and a story that transcends time itself. The tale of Rama, the exiled prince of Ayodhya who battles the evil Ravana, the king of Lanka, and rescues his abducted wife, Sita, is about much more than the eternal battle of good versus evil. It is a tale of love, friendship, loyalty, devotion, righteousness, and deliverance. Ramayana and Rama, whose journey is told in the epic, are embedded in India’s cultural consciousness, but they transcend borders. Various versions of the Ramayana can be found across the Indian subcontinent and in parts of southeast Asia. Created in consultation with distinguished economist, scholar, and translator Dr. Bibek Debroy, The Illustrated Ramayana draws from one of its earliest composers, the celebrated sage and poet Valmiki. It uses a combination of text and stunning images drawn from a variety of sources—historic and contemporary artifacts, paintings, photographs, and performances—to tell Rama’s story as he walks the path that destiny creates for him.
The Ramayana is a pure epic dealing with a theme and characters who lived in Trethayuga. As one reads through this series of ten books, one finds the epic unfold in its various facets through the delineation of the characters that are featured. The steadfastness of Rama, the utter helplessness of a Dasharatha, a brother’s devotion as seen in Lakshmana, a devotee’s surrender as seen in Hanuman, the bitter rivalry between brothers Vali and Sugreeva and the repentance that follows- all this and more make for very interesting and enlightening reading. Our other books here can be searched using #BharathaSamskruthiPrakashana
“I am faithfully engaged in the service of Rama, who is as immovable as a great mountain, as great a lord as Mahendra [Indra], and who, like a great ocean, is incapable of being agitated.” (Sita Devi speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 47.33)
Om Sri Sai Ram. On the auspicious occasion of Sri Rama Navami, the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization (SSSIO) is pleased to offer the March 2023 issue of Sathya Sai–The Eternal Companion at the divine lotus feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba with love, reverence, and gratitude. This issue features a Rama Navami discourse by Swami in 1996 where He urges us to live like Lord Rama and transform ourselves by following the path of love and dharma. It also contains a letter written by Bhagawan exhorting us to crush our egos to realize the divine within. The editorial expounds on the message and ideals of Lord Rama as narrated by Sai Rama. The publication contains unique personal experiences of devotees with Baba, articles on services rendered by SSSIO members worldwide, the glory of womanhood, ideal Sai Young Adults, and Sathya Sai Education. The pictorial on the history of the SSSIO outlines the growth of the SSSIO of Germany since the 1970s.
Ramayana and Mahabharata are called The Itihasas. Itihasa in Sanskrit literally means ‘it happened thus’. So these are to be distinguished from the Puranas. Ithihasas were composed or written by those who witnessed what was happening so these are historical accounts. Valmiki lived during Ramayana period as did Veda Vyasa during The Mahabharata. Valmiki’s Ramayana is in the form of poetry and is of great beauty. It is considered as the world’s first poetry. It is set to Anushtup meter. It is the original version and there are several other versions written much later which were inspired from that of Valmiki. I am a scientist by profession and hence the type of treasure that I searched in Valmiki’s great work and my view of things could be somewhat different and perhaps be of interest. So I decided to find out for myself such details. I was very much impressed to find so many rich details and interesting information on several aspects of Tradition, Culture, Astronomy, Geography and so on and which are not generally talked about. Valmiki’s deep knowledge of Astronomy and Astrology is amazing. I was surprised to discover that iron was already in use in Ramayana period. Let us note that the westerners attribute a much later period for the use of iron and also claim that the knowledge of planets came to India from the Greeks!
Ramayana is one of the greatest epics gifted to this world for the benefit of mankind originally coposed in Sanskrit by Sage Valmiki, comprising of seven chapters called “Kandas”. Among these Kandas, Sundarakanda is considered the most important. It deals with the heroic deeds of Hanuman a mere monkey who rose to Divine Status and overcame each of the most insurmountable difficulties encountered by him right from the beginning of his journey over the sea, to Lanka which he undertook to find Rama’s wife Sita who was abducted and kept captive by the evil Ravana, by his mere resolute determination, adventurous enterprise and total dedication to his Lord Shri Rama. The reading and recital of Sundarakanda with faith and devotion will give happiness and hope. It removes all forebodings from the mind. It will also bring success and prosperity.
A delightfully straightforward and lyrical retelling of the ancient Indian epic of loyalty, betrayal, redemption, and insight into the true nature of life -- one of history's most sacred ethical works, rendered with completeness and sterling accuracy for the modern reader. Here is one of the world's most hallowed works of sacred literature, the grand, sweeping epic of the divine bowman and warrior Rama and his struggles with evil, power, duplicity, and avarice. The Ramayana is one of the foundations of world literature and one of humanity's most ancient and treasured ethical and spiritual works. Includes an introduction by scholar Michael Sternfeld.
