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Useful lessons from Ramayana (Ramayaña Ki Pragatishila Prerañayen): Vangamaya Vol-32

This volume is an extension of the volume no. 30 of the Vangmaya series. The latter presents selected excerpts from the “Ram Charita Manas” of Goswami Tulasidas with detailed explanations on the topics of relevance to the arousal and development at the personal, familial and social levels as part of the “vichar kranti” programme of the Yug Nirman mission established by Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya. This programme aims at the refinement and righteous orientation of people’s thinking, value system and sentimental makeup to architect a new environment of bright and blissful life for everyone.….
Ramayana is the heart of the body of the Indian scriptures on the lives and works of divine incarnations. Apart from the original Sanskrit version of the Ramayana by Maharshi Valmiki and the most popular “Ram Charita Manasa” by Goswami Tulasidas, many other versions and commentaries on this holy scripture – describing the life of the 10th divine incarnation of God Vishnu, have been produced by several scholars of the ancient and modern times. Several saints have devoted their lives in propagating the teachings of Ramayana through “Rama Katha” (discourses). Reading the “Ram Charita Manas” as it is – is also quite common part of the religious activities of an average Indian….
However, there also have been misinterpretations of the rhetoric representation in the chaupais (metre or verse of four lines) of the “Ram Charita Manasa” at some places, which has brought criticism from those who have not read this scripture thoroughly. A little careful look makes it clear that at many places the figurative descriptions or rhetoric reference of one chaupai are explained in the other…. In fact every character of Ramayana, every incident presented in it, teaches us what is righteous and what is not in the gamut of activities associated with human life.
The present volume cites rare combinations of important excerpts from the Valmikiya Ramayana and the Tulasi Ramayana. Introduction of the successive sections (kandas) of Ramayana is presented in chapter 1 of this volume along with original texts and meanings with brief explanations. Detailed implications and interpretations in terms of relevance and use in the present circumstances of the world are given in the remaining chapters.
The Bala Kanda and Ayodhya Kanda highlight the fundamental principles of happy family life…. Divinely pure souls are born only to deserving parents whose life is pious and devoted to altruist service under ascetic disciplines….. The kingdom of Ayodhya was a symbol of heavenly conditions that prevailed in India during those days….. The serenity and sincerity of every citizen had contributed as much to the materialization of this as that of the king and the royal family.
The Aranya Khanda describes how Lord Ram and his brother Lakshaman ruined the devil giants during the period of exile in the forests and saved the saints and sages and protected the very basis of religious system and the glory of humanity. It teaches us how the endurance, stability, vision, vigor, prudence and determination can help accomplish what in normal course would be considered impossible for human-endeavors.
How the collective endeavors of the most ordinary and helpless people could also overcome the mighty terrors, evil influences and adversities – is taught in the Kishkindha Kanda and Lanka Kanda of the Ramayana. The dedicated and organized efforts of the apes and monkeys who joined hands with Lord Ram in the historical battle between him and the Giant Ravana brought immortal glory to them – as a symbol of the eternal victory of divinity over the devil tendencies.
The Sunder Kanda is devoted to the immortal glory of Hanuman whose thought itself inspires immense courage and inner strength. This divine character of Ramayana has been the ever eminent symbol of the highest realms of intellect, sagacity, valor, devotion and selfless sacrifice for righteous goals and ideals…..
The resurrection of Rama Rajya after the grand war of Lanka, the sacrifices of King Ram for the people of Ayodhya and poetic description of his divine rule – constitute the Uttara Kanda. This last portion of Ramayana depicts the necessity and importance of creative endeavors for reconstruction and reestablishment of righteous environment for progressive and peaceful life at global level after the devastation of evil tendencies, animosity and adverse influences of audacious might…..
The definitions and practicalities of the philosophies of divine brotherhood and ideal marriage institution become alive in the detailed analysis of the “chaupais” of Ramayana which focus at the lives of the four brothers – Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and Shartughn and their respective wives. This volume will make it clear why there is no exaggeration in the assertion that – “the prestige, serenity and credulity of the marriage institution and the glory of family system have survived all diversities and cultural disturbances in India mainly because of people’s faith and intimacy with the holy Ramayana….”
The divine images of Ram and Sita exist in the inner cores of the minds of most Indians as inspiring source of guidance on righteous conduct. Their characters in Ramayana are those of ideal man and woman whose memories educe our intrinsic faith in the dignity of being born as humans….. Reading about their virtuous lives arouses our consciousness to refine and elevate our own selves…… The renouncement, surrender and sacrifices made by Bharat and Lakshaman for noble causes remain unparalleled in human history and stand as milestones along the path of the evolution of humanity…..
The present volume is a comprehensive compilation of the best that could be taught and learnt – for practical implementation in today’s society, from the ever grand treatise of Ramayana….. It would also serve the purpose of a complete text for those interested in deliberating Rama Katha.
The author, Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya, had found the teaching based on Ramayana as the best mode for moral education and social reform of the large number of illiterate and backward people living in the villages of India. He had advocated that the preaching of Ramayana is as important for ideal social development as the disciplined practices of Gayatri Mantra, Yagya and yoga for spiritual illumination and divine culmination of human life. The concerning two volumes (the present and the volume no. 30) of the Vangmaya series illustrate this view point with good effect.
The readers would gain the joy and inspirations of “Rama Katha” in this volume, eloquently penned by Acharya Sharma who had creatively adopted the ideals of Ramayana in his own life and extracted the nectar of the lessons from “Ram Charita Manasa” for the moral enlightenment, guidance and welfare of people across the globe…..