Baal Kaand | Ayodhyaa Kaand | Aranya Kaand | Kishkindhaa Kaand | Sundar Kaand | Yuddh Kaand | Uttar Kaand
 

Back to Notes | Next

3-9-How Many Raamaayan?
Read also   Raamaayan of Foreign Countries

Raamaayan is not one, there are several Raamaayan written by various authors in various languages.

In Sanskrit Language

(1) Adhyaatm Raamaayan - There is another Raamaayan which is known as Adhyaatm Raamaayan. It is a part of Brahmaand Puraan. I mention it here because the mention of shadow Seetaa in Tulasee's Maanas has been taken from Adhyaatm Raamaayan only.
(2) Aanand Raamaayan - Aanand Raamaayan presents Bharat and Shatrughn as Kaikeyee's sons - maybe because of Kalp Bhed.
(3) Adbhut Raamaayan - It is interesting to note that in the Adbhut Raamaayan, a late work highly favored by the Kashmeerian Shaakt, Seetaa is stated to have killed Raavan [by] assuming the form of Kaalee. The said work identifies Seetaa with the Supreme Being of the Shaakt. The [practice] of associating Shaaktism with Raam-Seetaa legends may be traced even to the Sanskrit Raamacharit of Abhinanda, which is a work of the tenth century. ... [And] in Sarala Dasa's Udiyaa Ramamyan, the tradition of the Adbhut Raamaayan is followed, in which Seetaa herself killed Raavan in the form of Bhadrakaalee. The story of the slaying of Raavan by Seetaa is also found in the Jaimini Bhaarat and other later Bangaalee Raamaayan. According to the popular Raam legends of the Mathuraa region, it was Seetaa who killed Raavan and, having accomplished the task, went straight to Calcutta instead of Ayodhyaa and settled there permanently as Kaalee Maaee."
(4) Tattwa Sangraha Raamaayan
(6) Vaalmeeki Raamaayan - The first Raamaayan was written by Aadi Kavi (the first poet) Rishi Vaalmeeki Jee which is known as "Vaalmeeki Raamaayan". Since this Raamaayan is in Sanskrit language, it is not very common among public, but its Hindi translation is also available.
(7) Yog Vashishth Raamaayan

In Other Languages

There are other Raamaayan also in other provincial languages of India, such as Tamil, Gujaraatee etc.

(1) In Aandhra Pradesh, the Telugu Raamaayan is known as "Sri Ranganatha Ramayana" and was adapted by Buddha Reddy.
(2) In Aandhra Pradesh, "Molla Ramayana" in Telugu
(3) In Aandhra Pradesh, "Bhaskara's Ramayana" in Telugu

(4) In Aassaam, it is the Assaamee "Katha Ramayana" or "Kotha Ramayana" in 15th century by Madhava Kandali.
(5) In Aassaam, "Geeti Ramayan" by Durgavara in Assaamee language.
(6) In Aassaam, Madhava Kandaliya's translation of Vaalmeeki Raamaayan in Assamee language.

(7) In Bangaal, it is the Bangaalee "Krittivas Ramayan" written by poet Krittivas in 15th century.
(8) In Bangaal, Chanravati Ramayan in Bangaalee

(9) In Gujaraat, it is the Tulsi-krit Raamaayan a Gujarati adaptation of Tulasee Daas Maanas in 17th century by poet Premanand.
(10) In Gujaraat, Raamacharitra Balana's Ramavivaha in Gujaraatee
(11) In Gujaraat, GiridharDas' s Ramayana in Gujarat

(12) In Jammu and Kashmir, it is Kashmeeree "Ramavatara Charita" written in 19th century.

(13) In Karnaatak, it is the Kannad versions of the Raamaayan – the "Kumudendu Ramayana" (Jain version) in 13th century.
(14) In Karnaatak, "Kumara-Valmiki Torave Ramayana" in 16th century.
(15) In Karnaatak, "Ramachandra Charita Purana" written by Nagachandra (in Jaina tradition) in Kannad during the 13th century.
(16) In Karnaatak, Torave Ramayana by Narahari.
(17) In Karnaatak, Ramayana Darshana by Kuvempu.

(18) In Kerala, it is written in Malayaalam language - "Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilipattu" written by Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan in the 16th century.
(19) In Kerala, Raamacharitam by Rama, Kannasi Panikkar's translation of Vaalmeeki and Vallattol's translation in Malayaalam.

(20) In Mahaaraashtra, it is the Maraathee "Bhaavaarth Ramayana" written by Eknaath Jee in the 16th century. There is also reference of Ramayana being translated into old Marathi during the 12th or 13th century.
(21) In Mahaaraashtra, "Ramavijaya" by Sreedhara  in Maraathee.

(22) In Panjaab, it is the "Ramavatara" written in 17th century by Guru Gobind Singh.
(23) In Panjaab, Raamaavataar in Panjaabee

(24) In Tamil Naadu, it is the most popular written in Tamil language - "Kamba Ramayana" or Kamban Raamaayan written by poet Kamban in the 12th century.

(25) In UP, "Raam Charit Maanas" by Goswaamee Tulasee Das Jee. He is reputed to live for 125 years, from 1511 AD to 1637 AD. This is most popular in UP area. It is written in Avadhee dialect of Hindi language in such a way that it can be sung. Its Hindi translation is also available. It is more popular in educated people.

(26) In Udeessaa, it is the Udiyaa "Balaramadasa Ramayana" was adapted by Balarama Das in the 16th century.

(27) In Udeesaa, Sarala Daas has written Vilanka Ramayana in Oriyaa language.
(28) In Udeesaa, Saptakand Ramayana in Udiyaa Language
(29) In Udeesaa, Balaramadasa's Dandi Ramayana in Udiyaa Language

(30) "Ghanshyaam Daas Kee Raamaayan" by Ghanshyaam Daas Jee, is known as "Ghanshyaam Daas Jee Kee Raamaayan". It is also written in the way that it can be sung, but it is more popular among village population, because its language is daily use spoken language and people can memorize it.

(31) Uttar Raamaayan -

(32) "Raamcharit" by Abhinanda - a work of 10th century.

(33) In Urdu, it is the "Pothee Ramayana" written in 17th century.

In addition to the above, there are several versions of Raamaayan in different countries. A few of them are more important in influencing the culture of these countries. Thailand, Canada, Nepal, Mauritius, Belgium, Indonesia, Holland, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Malaya, Indochina, South Africa, Surinam, Trinidad, Guyana etc, are some countries where Ramayana is existing albeit in different versions. Some of these could be mentioned here.

1. Jaanakeeharana in Sinhalese
2. Raamaaswamedha in Nepali
3. Hobutsushu in Japanese
4. Pha lak pha lam in Laosian
5. Raamkien in Thai**
6. Hikayat Seri Rama in Malaysian
7. Ramayana Kakawin in Javanese

**In Thailand, It is called Ramkein which means King Rama. This book has been translated by Prof. Satyavrata Sastry to Sanskrit. This Sanskrit version has been translated to Kannada by Prof S Ranganath of Bangalore. The story in this version is different from that of Vaalmeeki. The stone inscriptions found near the Sukhuthai town speak of Raam's cave and Seetaa's cave. The name 'Raam' has been held in deep respect and reverence in that country from more than a thousand years.

There are Raamaayan where Raavan has been glorified too. The works in Jain tradition do not mention that Raavan was killed by Raam. It is Lakshman who kills him. Here, Hanumaan is married and Raam has several wives.

The Bangaalee work by Madhusoodan Dutta rejects the Hindu principles and picturizes Raam in derogatory manner. Raavan is glorified here.

Parts of Raam's Life Narrations

There are some part narration also at various places

(1) Padm Puraan - There is a part of Raamaayan (Raam's story) in Padm Puraan also, in its 4th Khand - Paataal Khand. This description gives the description of Raam's Ashwamedh Yagya.

Back to Notes | Next