Ramayanam

Ramayanam Vedasamam….

“रामयणं वेदसमम्”, goes the adage: Ramayana is the equivalent of the Vedas. This is explained in slightly more detail in this sloka: वेदवेद्ये परे पुंसि जाते दशरथात्मजे। वेदः प्राचेतसादासीत् साक्षाद् रामायणात्मना।। vedavedye pare puṃsi jāte daśarathātmaje। vedaḥ prācetasādāsīt sākṣād rāmāyaṇātmanā।। When the Paramapurusha, who is known through the Vedas, was born as Rama, the Vedas …

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Illustrated Ramayana – Part 29

Sri Rama made Vibhishana the King of Lanka. Vibhishana wanted Sri Rama to take rest so that He could leave for Ayodhya, next day. But as Bharata is taking severe austerities and waiting for His arrival, Sri Rama could not take any pleasantries at that time. The fourteen-year exile period is over and Bharata had vowed to end his life if Sri Rama doesn’t …

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Illustrated Ramayana – Part 28

At Rama’s bidding Hanuman entered Lanka after getting Vibhishana’s permission and reported Rama’s success to Sita. Sita was stunned by the joyful news and remained silent. “Mother, why do you not speak to me? What worries you?” asked Hanuman reverently. Sita, said in sweet tones, “Child, the good news you brought robbed me of speech for a while. It has comforted my …

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Illustrated Ramayana – Part 27

Indrajit went to battle again. With his magic he became invisible and rained arrows on the vanaras. He tormented his opponents and tried to frighten Lakshmana. In the middle of the fight he took time off to perform a fire sacrifice, which would make him unconquerable. Lakshmana, with the help of the vanaras, prevented Indrajit from finishing the sacrifice. …

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Illustrated Ramayana – Part 26

Kumbhakarna sallied forth into the battlefield. The vanaras were terrified when they saw the huge monstrous form advancing towards them. The mighty rakshasa killed hundreds of vanaras and spread panic in their ranks. Lakshmana tried to stop his progress but in vain. Kumbhakarna tore a peak off a mountain and hurled it at Rama. But even while the huge boulder was in the air, Rama …

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Illustrated Ramayana – Part 24

The great war began badly for the rakshasas. Their chieftains met with many ill omens on the way to the battlefield and few returned. Enraged at the course of the war, Ravana himself took the field. He struck down Lakshmana with a deadly weapon and went up to Rama. With powerful astras (weapons) Rama smashed Ravana’s chariot, horses, weapons and crown. As Ravana …

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Illustrated Ramayana – Part 24

Millions of vanaras were at work. They brought huge boulders from the hills and tall trees from the forests. Skilful workers laid them side-by-side and built a long powerful bridge across the sea, which would bear the weight of the army of vanaras and other creatures. In great jubilation the vanaras crossed the bridge to Lanka. They camped within sight of the …

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Illustrated Ramayana – Part 23

Meanwhile many things were happening in Lanka. Ravana was disturbed by the havoc wrought by a single vanara. The rakshasas urged Ravana to raise a. huge army and rout Rama and his vanara hordes. Vibhishana, who had only his brother’s good at heart, advised Ravana to surrender and restore Sita to Rama. Ravana was angry when he heard this counsel and ordered Vibhishana to leave the kingdom …

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Illustrated Ramayana – Part 22

Back among his own kind, Hanuman had a gripping story to tell. The vanaras were jubilant that the mission had succeeded. Hanuman gave Rama an account of all that had happened in the island of Lanka. He gave Rama the crest-jewel and the message he had brought from Sita. At the sight of the jewel, thoughts of Sita surged in Rama’s mind and …

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