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3-What is Raamaayan

Raamaayan is a composite word - Raam + Ayan. Raam is a man (or incarnation) and Ayan means Yaatraa or journey - literally speaking. Thus Raamaaayan means Raam's Journey since birth to the end with all the events and the ups and downs. The term 'story' in English also has similar connotation. So Ramayana would simply mean the story of Raam. Some people, who feel very sympathetic to the character of Seetaa say - "Why can't it be called "Seetaayan"?". Others, who are sympathetic to the character of Raavan, ask - "Why can't it be called "Raavanaayan"?". In fact, Raamaayan is known by all these names, as per Vaalmeeki himself. Shlok 1.4.7 says that this Kaavya is known as Raamaayan, as Seetaa Mahat Charit and also as Paulastya Vadh (Raavan Vadh).

Truly, Raamaayan is the story of Raam, Raavan, Seetaa, Aanjaneya, Bharat, Lakshman, Urmila, Vibhishana, Sugriva and many others. It can be called the story of any one of them. Since all other characters are strung through the story of Raam, it is called Raamaayan. Anyone, who wants to get benefits of reading Raamaayan, should look at the story through the eyes and the mind of each one of these characters. Raamaayan should not be seen as a sports match, where you take a side right upfront to enjoy the game. Raamaayan should be seen as the story of many. One should feel empathize with all the characters, just as the writer did.

Each character in Raamaayan is molded by three influences. One, the principles each character sets for itself to live by, two, the principles set for the character by the society of the times, and three, the events and happenings that set the story in motion. With these three sets of principles being the guard rails. Raam has his own principles of life: to be truthful, to be righteous and to be married to only one wife. The societal norms demanded him to be worthy of the decent of Ikshwaaku Dynasty and to be abided by the popular opinion. The events that wreck havoc in his life come in the form of Mantharaa and Shoorpanakhaa. He sails through them by his own abilities and by the help of people like Lakshman, Sugreev, Hanumaan and others, while sticking to the principles he laid for himself and abiding the norms laid by the society.

Seetaa has her own set of principles: to be wedded to Raam for life and to not do anything that would bring disgrace to her side of the family as well as to Raam's side of the family. All the choices she made are guided by these two principles. Her life became a wreck, unfortunately, by the events triggered by her own impulsive decision to send away Lakshman to help Raam, against his assurances that Raam would be safe. She put her own safety at risk, by her concern for the safety of her husband, which proved to be unwise. So, when her life came to the point, where there is no meaning in continuing it any further, she goes back to her mother, the mother Earth. 'A life worthy of it is only worth living' - is a theme that permeates Raamaayan.

Bharat has lived a difficult life. He never intended to be the King. But people could implicate him to be the master mind behind the whole plan. He could be easily seen as the cleverest person who did everything from behind the scenes. He did nothing to earn this blemish on his reputation. Further, it was brought upon him by none other the mother who gave birth to him. He had to live with it for fourteen years, with no mechanism or outlet to dispel the doubts of the skeptics, Lakshman himself being one such outspoken skeptic. What a life? But Bharat endured and held himself tight, for what has befallen on him with no fault of his. He tolerated the similar exile what Raam was tolerating living in the limits of Raam's orders.

To enjoy any character in Raamaayan, like Hanumaan, Sugreev, Vibheeshan, Maareech, Vishwaamitra, Dasharath and all others, one has to view them through the same three dimensional prism. We will go through our own challenges similar to the challenges faced by one or other of these characters. These characters is our guide, our companion and our support. Raamaayan is rich because it offers so many type of characters that are rich and real and all can be imitated very well. That is why people read Raamaayan. That is how and why people find strength in Raamaayan.

The characters of Baali and Raavan set the example of what not to be. They are strong. They are capable. They know how to enjoy life. They have the taste for the finest things in life. But what they do not have are: their own set of principles or a set of social norms to live by. They have set their momentary and carnal needs and their personal supremacy and dominance above everything else. Is a life with no principles and values worth living ? Would it be something that their progeny be proud of? But, they clung to their self centered and meaningless life, till the end. The riches, the scholarship and the dominance they enjoyed could not offset the ignominy of their lives.

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