Rama. Shri Rama - The story of Rama and Ramayana in one blog post.
The Ekashloki Ramayana
The Rāmāyaṇa, one of India's grandest epics, begins with Prince Rāma being sent into exile in the vast forests. Amid the wilderness, a cunning golden deer, actually the demon Marici in disguise, captivates Sita's attention. This sets off a chain of events that sees Rāma pursuing the deer. With Rāma away, the formidable demon king, Rāvaṇa, seizes the moment to abduct Sita, taking her to his island stronghold of Lanka.
On his quest to reclaim his beloved, Rāma crosses paths with the majestic bird, Jaṭāyu. Tragically, Jaṭāyu meets his end trying to prevent Sita's kidnapping by Rāvaṇa.
As Rāma continues his journey, he forms an alliance with Sugrīva, the exiled monkey king. It is through this alliance that he meets Hanuman, the devoted monkey god known for his immense strength, loyalty, and dedication. Rāma aids Sugrīva by defeating his rival, Vālī, ensuring Sugrīva's rightful return to his throne.
Hanuman's unwavering devotion shines brightly when he takes a daring leap to Lanka in search of Sita. Overcoming numerous challenges, he delivers Rāma's message to her, reassuring her that Rāma would come to her rescue.
With Hanuman's reconnaissance and the strength of their monkey allies, they build a bridge to Lanka. The ensuing war sees tremendous displays of valor and strategy. The climax resonates with intensity as Rāma, aided by Hanuman's immense strength, confronts and ultimately defeats Rāvaṇa and his powerful brother, Kumbhakarṇa. This heroic act concludes the captivating saga of the Rāmāyaṇa, celebrating love, devotion, and dharma.
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The story of Valmiki's motivation to write the Ramayana
Valmiki asked Narada if there was anyone who was perfect and kind. Narada mentioned Rama, describing him as brave, wise, and loved by all.
Later, while near a river, Valmiki saw a hunter kill one of two loving birds, making the other one very sad. Moved by this, Valmiki unintentionally created a poetic verse.
Suddenly, the god Brahma appeared. He encouraged Valmiki to write Rama's story in the same poetic style, promising that it would be cherished for generations.
Taking inspiration from this, Valmiki meditated and saw Rama's life unfold before him. He started writing the Ramayana. The tragedy of the birds reminded him of how Sita was taken away from Rama, similar to the bird's situation. This gave him the push to narrate Rama's tale.