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GROUP TASK IN MYTHOLOGY AND FOLKLORE (ENG MAJ 7)

RESEARCH ABOUT RAMAYANA

Submitted by:
Capua, Prince Jester
Centino, Cristine
Darimbang, Reemah
Delas Alas, Summer
Dugenia, Tammeyka
Escubio, Allyssa
Lascuña, DJ
Lastimoso, Reialyn
Lauta, Dexter
Lisondra, Maricar

Marquez, Daniela Mae

Montañer, Ashlie
Rasquero, Lorena
Rosales, Claudine
Santos, Jada Samantha

Simangon, Evajun
Suarez, Nicole Penelope
Tigley, Kimberly

APRIL 2023
FACTS ABOUT RAMAYANA:

The Ramayana is an all-popular epic in South and Southeast Asia. It is the story of King Rama who must
save his kidnapped wife, Sita. Along the way, it teaches Hindu life lessons. The Ramayana is told and
retold orally, through literature (and comic books!), plays, movies and is reference in many other forms
of popular culture today.

Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic that tells the story of the prince Rama, who goes on a journey to
rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. The epic is a major part of Hindu mythology and has
been passed down through generations in various forms, including poetry, music, dance, and drama.

The Ramayana has been performed throughout India and Southeast Asia for at least 2000 years. The
earliest written text dates back to 400 AD, and was written by the poet Valmiki who brought together
stories, songs and prayers connected to Rama and Sita.

Comprising 24,000 verses in seven cantos, the epic contains the teachings of the very ancient Hindu
sages. One of the most important literary works of ancient India, it has greatly influenced art and culture
in the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia, with versions of the story also appearing in the Buddhist
canon from a very early date. The story of Rama has constantly been retold in poetic and dramatic
versions by some of India's greatest writers and also in narrative sculptures on temple walls. It is one of
the staples of later dramatic traditions, re-enacted in dance-dramas, village theatre, shadow-puppet theatre
and the annual Ram-lila (Rama-play).

This story has had a great influence on India's culture and is considered to be one of Hinduism's most
important literary works along with the Mahabharata.

As the name implies, the Ramayana is the story of Rama who is the 7th avatar of Vishnu. Vishnu
incarnated himself as Rama in order to restore order which had been disrupted by Ravana. This story is
loved for its theme of duty, loyalty, courage, and devotion.
OTHER FACTS ABOUT RAMAYANA:

• Rama is the avatar of the god Vishnu, while Sita is the avatar of the goddess Lakshmi who was the wife
of Vishnu.

• There are many variations of the story of the Ramayana, not only in India but also in other Southeast
Asian countries.

• Hanuman, who acts as Rama's aide in the Ramayana, is also a well-respected and worshiped god in
Hinduism.

• The defeat of Ravana is celebrated during Navratri by the burning of an effigy of the demon.

• Rama's birthday is celebrated yearly during Ramanavani, which is a spring festival. In 2023 the holiday
will take place on the 30th of March.

IMPORTANCE OF RAMAYANA IN INDIAN CULTURE:

The epic's poetic stature and marvellous story means that the story of
Rama has been constantly retold by some of India's greatest writers both
in Sanskrit and regional languages. It is one of the staples of various
dramatic traditions, in court drama, dance-dramas, and in shadow-puppet
theatres. In northern India, the annual Ram-lila or 'Rama-play' is
performed at the autumn festival of Dassehra to celebrate with Rama and
Sita the eventual triumph of light over darkness.

A hugely popular television series, 'Ramayan', was aired in India

1987-1988, drawing over 100 million viewers to become 'the world's
most viewed mythological serial'. Dubbed 'Ramayan' fever by India
Today magazine, it was reported that India came to a virtual standstill as
so many people who could gain access to a television stopped whatever
they were doing to watch the small screen adventures of Rama. From
January 2008, a new big-budget primetime
SYPNOSIS OF RAMAYANA:

1. Dasharatha, King of Aydohya, has three wives and four sons. Rama is the eldest. His mother is Kaushalya.
Bharata is the son of his second and favorite wife, Queen Kaikeyi. The other two are twins, Lakshman and
Shatrughna. Rama and Bharata are blue, perhaps indicating they were dark skinned or originally south Indian
deities.

2. A sage takes the boys out to train them in archery.

3. In a neighboring city the ruler's daughter is named Sita. When it was time for Sita to choose her bridegroom, at
a ceremony called a swayamvara, the princes were asked to string a giant bow. No one else can even lift the
bow, but as Rama bends it, he not only strings it but breaks it in two. Sita indicates she has chosen Rama as her
husband by putting a garland around his neck. The disappointed suitors watch.

4. King Dasharatha, Rama's father, decides it is time to give his throne to his eldest son Rama and retire to the
forest to seek moksha. Everyone seems pleased. This plan fulfills the rules of dharma because an eldest son
should rule and, if a son can take over one's responsibilities, one's last years may be spent in a search for
moksha. In addition, everyone loves Rama. However Rama's step-mother, the king's second wife, is not
pleased. She wants her son, Bharata, to rule. Because of an oath Dasharatha had made to her years before, she
gets the king to agree to banish Rama for fourteen years and to crown Bharata, even though the king, on
bended knee, begs her not to demand such things. Broken-hearted, the devastated king cannot face Rama with
the news and Kaikeyi must tell him.

5. Rama, always obedient, is as content to go into banishment in the forest as to be crowned king. Sita convinces
Rama that she belongs at his side and his brother Lakshman also begs to accompany them. Rama, Sita and
Lakshman set out for the forest.

Bharata, whose mother's evil plot has won him the throne, is very upset when he finds out what has happened.
Not for a moment does he consider breaking the rules of dharma and becoming king in Rama's place. He goes
to Rama's forest retreat and begs Rama to return and rule, but Rama refuses. "We must obey father," Rama
says. Bharata then takes Rama's sandals saying, "I will put these on the throne, and every day I shall place the
fruits of my work at the feet on my Lord." Embracing Rama, he takes the sandals and returns to Aydohya.

6. Years pass and Rama, Sita and Lakshman are very happy in the forest. Rama and Lakshman destroy the
rakshasas (evil creatures) who disturb the sages in their meditations. One day a rakshasa princess tries to
seduce Rama, and Lakshmana wounds her and drives her away. She returns to her brother Ravana, the ten-
headed ruler of Lanka (Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon), and tells her brother (who has a weakness for beautiful
women) about lovely Sita.

Ravana devises a plan to abduct Sita. He sends a magical golden deer which Sita desires. Rama and Lakshman
go off to hunt the deer, first drawing a protective circle around Sita and warning her she will be safe as long as
she does not step outside the circle. As they go off, Ravana (who can change his shape) appears as a holy man
begging alms. The moment Sita steps outside the circle to give him food, Ravana grabs her and carries her off
the his kingdom in Lanka.
7. Rama is broken-hearted when he returns to the empty hut and cannot find Sita. A band of monkeys offer to
help him find Sita.
Ravana has carried Sita to his palace in Lanka, but he cannot force her to be his wife so he puts her in a grove
and alternately sweet-talks her and threatens her in an attempt to get her to agree to marry him. Sita will not
even look at him but thinks only of her beloved Rama. Hanuman, the general of the monkey band can fly since
his father is the wind, and Hanuman flies to Lanka and, finding Sita in the grove, comforts her and tells her
Rama will soon come and save her.

8. Ravana's men capture Hanuman, and Ravana orders them to wrap Hanuman's tail in cloth and to set it on fire.
With his tail burning, Hanuman hops from house-top to house-top, setting Lanka afire. He then flies back to
Rama to tell him where Sita is.

9. Rama, Lakshman and the monkey army build a causeway from the tip of India to Lanka and cross over to
Lanka. A might battle ensues. Rama kills several of Ravana's brothers and then
Rama confronts ten-headed Ravana. (Ravana is known for his wisdom as well as for his weakness for women
which may explain why he is pictured as very brainy.) Rama finally kills Ravana.

10. Rama frees Sita. After Sita proves here purity, they return to Ayodhya and Rama becomes king. His rule, Ram-
rajya, is an ideal time when everyone does his or her dharma and "fathers never have to light the funeral pyres
for their sons." Mahatma Gandhi dreamed that one day modern India would become a Ram-rajya
The 7 Main Characters of the Ramayana

1. Rama, Prince of Ayodhya

Ramayana revolves around the story of Rama, the prince of the Kosala
kingdom who went into exile for 14 years due to an evil plan from his
step-mother. Sita, his wife, and Lakshman, his half-brother, both
accompanied him during his exile.

Rama is Vishnu's 7th avatar who was incarnated to defeat the evil king
Ravana and restoring dharma, or moral order. In Indian culture, he is
seen as the perfect man who acts with courage and righteousness.

2. Sita, Wife of Rama

Sita is the wife of Rama and daughter of the King Janaka. The marriage
between her and Rama in itself is a story worth telling. King Janaka
who prized his daughter dearly vowed to give Sita in marriage only to
the man who could string a magic bow that he received from the god
Shiva.

While other competitors were struggling to merely move the bow, Rama
was able to pick it up. When he tried to string it, it was snapped into
two. Then, Sita was given to Rama in marriage.

3. Dasaratha, King of Kosala

Dasaratha was the king of Kosala with three wives and four sons. He
initially had trouble having a child with his wives. It was only after
consultation with a priest that his wives were able to conceive.

Rama is his eldest son. His other sons include Lakshmana, Satrughna,
and Bharata. Dasaratha loved Rama so dearly and was unable to bear
Rama's departure that he passed away soon after Rama left in exile.

4. Bharata, brother of Rama

Bharata is Rama's stepbrother who ruled in place of Rama during his
exile. Even though it was his mother who schemed for Rama's exile in
order to have Bharata crowned, Bharata himself was loyal to Rama.

Bharata was only willing to reign as king during Rama's absence

because Rama has asked him to do so.

5. Hanuman, Rama's Monkey Aide

Hanuman is the leader of a monkey tribe who assists Rama in finding
Sita and defeating Ravana's army. Hanuman possesses spiritual powers
such as flying and changing size.

In Hindu mythology, Hanuman is often worshiped along with Rama. He

is a symbol of strength and energy and is admired for his loyal
dedication to Rama.
6. Ravana, the Evil King of Lanka
Ravana was the king of Lanka (present-day Sri Lanka) and was a very
powerful 10-headed king who was said to have acquired his powers
from the god Shiva. His great power made him arrogant and he created
havoc in the world.

His sister, Shurpanakha, attacked Sita because of jealousy of Rama's

love for her. Lakshmana defended Sita and cut off Shurpanakha's nose.
She then reported this to Ravana who was allured by the news of Sita's
beauty and decided to abduct her.

7. Lakshmana, Loyal Brother of Rama

Lakshmana is Rama's loyal younger half-brother who accompanied him
during his exile. He protects Sita from harm during the exile, including
from the attack of Ravana's sister.

Lakshmana is married to Sita's younger sister, Urmila, who stayed back

in Ayodhya when he accompanied Rama on his exile.

References:

https://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/~vemuri/classes/freshman/RamayanaSynopsis.htm

https://factsanddetails.com/world/cat55/sub354/entry-5628.html

https://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/whatson/exhibitions/ramayana/guide.html#:~:text=The%20Ramayana%
20is%20an%20ancient,500%20BCE%20to%20100%20BCE

https://www.asiahighlights.com/india/ramayana