1st MA Philosophy

Assignment: 13 - 08 - 2021

Book: A study of the Ramayana of Valmiki – Dr. J.K. Trikha

Ramayana is one of the ancient Smriti literature depicting the heroic story Rama, the
Aryan hero who worked to induce a renaissance of the enlightened mode of life that had
revealed to the earliest seers of the humanity everywhere the planet. Ramayana represents
the Vedic dharma through the chronicle of the proper man who would inspire generations
of men through ages and would cherish truth and justice. The supreme example of
sufferings for the sake of dharma was narrated through the events within the lifetime
of rishis, whose mature wisdom guided the hero at every stage of his life. The author has
critically analysed the literary merits of this great epic especially the Ayodhya random.
The author says very correctly – that Ramayana is that the perfect piece of art. The unity of
the piece is ought to have a contemporary story or a one-act play. The Ramayana
contains quite 2400 stanzas arranged in 7 books The Epic Ramayana is traditionally
divided into several major kandas or books, that deal chronologically with the most
important events within the lifetime of Rama:-
Bala Kanda, Ayodhya Kanda, Aranya Kanda, Kishkindhaa Kanda, Sundara Kanda,
Yuddha Kanda, and Uttara Kanda.

BALA KANDA :
Bala Kanda (book of childhood) relates the divine birth of Shri Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana,
and Satrughana, born to King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, destined to fight demons. Sita's
swayamvara and subsequent wedding to Rama. and within the end his encounter with
Parashurama. Dasharatha was the king of Ayodhya. He had three queens and are
Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra. He was childless for an extended time and, anxious to
supply an heir, he performs a hearth sacrifice. As a consequence, Rama is first born to
Kausalya, Bharata is born to Kaikeyi, and Lakshmana and Shatrughna are born to Sumitra.
These sons are endowed, to numerous degrees, with the essence of the God Vishnu.
Janaka was the king of Mithila. One day, a female descendant was found within the field
by the king within the deep furrow dug by his plow. Overwhelmed with joy, the king
regarded the kid as a "miraculous gift of God". the kid was named Sita, the Sanskrit word
for furrow. Rama gets married to Sita, Lakshmana to Urmila, Bharata to Mandavi, and
Shatrughan to Shrutakirti.

AYODHYA KANDA

Ayodhya Kaanda (book of Ayodhya) narrates the preparation for the coronation of Shri
Rama, the intrigue that ends up in his forest exile, the regency of Bharata,
Bharata’s rummage around for Shri Rama, the meeting of the brothers, and Bharata’s
return to Ayodhya with Shri Rama’s sandals.
ARANYA KANDA

Aranya Kaanda (book of the forest) -- The forest lifetime of Rama with Sita and
Lakshmana, his constant companion.

KISHKINDHAA KANDA

Kishkindhaa Kaanda (book of the monkey kingdom) -- Rama meets Hanuman and helps
destroy the monkey people's king, Bali, making Bali's younger brother, Sugreeva, king of
Kishkindhaa instead.

SUNDARA KANDA

Sundara Kaanda (book of beauty) --- Detailed accounts of Hanuman's adventures,

including his meeting with Sita. This book's name derives from the fond name given to
Hanuman by his mother. This book describes beautifully the adventures and lilaa
(pastimes) of Hanuman who managed to cross the ocean to seek out Sita and provides her
the message from Shri Rama together with Shri Rama’s ring. This book also describes
Hanuman’s meeting with Ravana face to face and therefore the burning of Lanka. The
Sundara Kanda forms the centre of Valmiki's Ramayana and consists of an in depth, vivid
account of Hanuman's adventures.

YUDDHA KANDA

Yuddha Kaanda (book of war) also has called Lanka Kanda-- The battle in Lanka between
the monkey and therefore the demon armies of Rama and Ravana, respectively. After
Ravana is defeated, Sita undergoes the test of fireplace, completes exile with Rama, and
that they return to Ayodhya to reign over the perfect State. Yuddha Kanda describes the
surrender of Vibheeshana, the bridge construction, and also the long-awaited battle
between Shri Rama’s army and that of Ravana plus the victorious return of Shri Rama to
Ayodhya. This book describes the battle between the military of Rama constructed
with the assistance of Sugreeva and Ravana.

UTTARA KANDA

Uttara Kaanda (last book) -- Rumors of impurity result in Sita's banishment, during which
she gives birth to and raises Lava and Kusha in Valmiki’s ashram (hermitage). Rama and
Sita reconcile. the dual boys later ascend the throne of Ayodhya, but Sita, broken at her
banishment merges into the planet, and remorseful Rama departs to his celestial abode,
departs 37from the planet. In the end, Sita calls upon the planet, her mother, to receive her
and because the ground opens, she vanishes into it. Rama then learns that Lava and Kusha
are his children. Later a messenger from the Gods appears and informs Rama that the
mission of his incarnation was over. Rama returns to his celestial abode.

Conclusion
Rama is not a mythical figure but an ordinary person, nor even a very great human being
but he has attained a supreme personality of Godhead by his self help. In these days of
scientific advancement and materialistic world we have the Ramayana to offer to the
world with pride. It can lead the mankind to peace and prosperity. We, the Indians are
really fortunate to have the Ramayana and the noblest character of Rama with us. The
author of the Ramayana, Poet Valmiki, the subject matter and the lesson it carries are all
beyond comparison. Great epics are written in many languages of the world, but there is
none to compare with the Ramayana. Ramayana has some unique quality and fragrance. It
has to be read and experienced. Valmiki Ramayana is based on independent thought,
independent inspiration and independent imagination. In short, it is an epic written under
command of God (under divine inspiration). Its magnificence, divinity of its characters,
purity of its purpose and the beauty and sweetness of its language, are all amazing and
rare. Valmiki was the unique poet and Rama the most unusual character to describe. In the
Ramayana, Rama is not depicted as the incarnation of God but it depicts Rama as an
ordinary human being becoming Narayana from Nar i.e., divine human from a human
because of his divine qualities and humane approach. 1 “It is with this sane and sole angle
and pious objective that the investigator has proposed to carry out a critical analysis on
Valmiki Ramayana and its implications to Educational Leadership. This study would be a
torch bearer for Educational Leaders at any level and hierarchy and who follows these
cardinal principles of Leadership as depicted in Valmiki Ramayana will be always
benefitted by that and they could become good Leaders with good philosophical and
cultural Indian background.”
1
Nair, “A Critical Analysis of Valmiki Ramayana and its Implications to Educational Leadership,” 236.

Bibliography

Nair, Somraj Sivadas. ”A Critical Analysis of Valmiki Ramayana and its Implications to
Educational Leadership.” Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, 2016.