Analysis of Ramayana by R K Narayan

Topics: HanumanRamayana

The following example essay on “Ramayana” is an analysis of the literary work of R. K. Narayan. The essay reveals the plot of the epic and reveals the images of the main characters of the story.

The Ramayana by R. K. Narayan’s is a profound epic story that provides different aspects of Indians culture and which still today influences the politics, religion and art of modern India. He rejuvenated this ancient story and compressed it and set in modern times.

Ramayama is a story of adventure and friendship as well as a story of psychological, spiritual meaning and of wisdom.

The meanings of The Ramayana are found through the actions and personalities of its principal characters throughout this epic.It is part of the sacred literature for the Hindus because it speaks of the meaning of life and shows how much they take pride in their religion and their lifestyle. This epic novel is known throughout whole country and revised and revived in different editions.

It instills the ideology of Hinduism and upholds the principles of dharma.

Through the actions and thoughts of the characters, The Ramayana shows how to incorporate dharma into one’s life The main character, Rama, his mission was to fight evils when Viswamithra takes Rama and his brother Lakshmana from their home.He is taught by Viswamithra who was practically their master on how to use divine weapons of various weapons. Then, Rama falls in love with Sita who is a daughter of King Janaka.

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She is also known as Janaki, heroine of the this epic story. So, they fall in love because of a pledge is to be married only to somebody who can lift, bend and string the humongous bow of Shiva.

The task presents no problems for Rama. Shortly after the wedding, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana go back to Ayodhya, where the King Dasaratha (Rama’s father) announces his resignation in favor for Rama as his successor.This part of the story tells us how they put the eldest son in the thrown to take over their fathers authority when the king is in no longer in use. Not only this happens in India but it happens in some other countries in the Middle Eastern or in the old Asian era.

Then Kaikeyi, who is Dasaratha’s favorite wife and mother of Rama’s half-brother Bharata. She uses a wish that was granted to her many years before that required Rama to be exiled into a forest for 14 years. Rama and Sita clothed in tree bark head off into the forest where they meet strange and wonderful creatures and beings.They meet Jatayu, the Great Eagle, and Kamavalli who really is the female demon Soorpanaka (the sister of Ravana) who madly falls in love with Rama. Soorpanaka is jealous of Sita but is chopped up by Lakshmana and flees to Ravana for help.

Ravana is the king Lanka; he has ten heads and twenty arms. Soorpanaka describes Sita in such graphic detail that Ravana immediately falls in love with her. Ravana tricks Sita while Rama is away and captures her and takes her away in a chariot. When Rama discovers Sita’s disappearance, he and Lakshmana head out to find her.On their travels through the forests they meet Sugreeva and Hanuman. Hanuman and Sugreeva promise to help Rama in his search for Sita.

Sugreeva and Hanuman organizes a huge army of their own people. They cannot find her and Rama becomes so discouraged he thinks of suicide. Until Hanuman finds out he can be any size he wants so he travels to Lanka. There he talks to Sita but on his way out is caught by Ravana. Hanuman becomes big again and destroys Ravana’s city. Rama then builds a giant bridge to Lanka. Everyone helped in the construction of this bridge. And Rama finally reaches Lanka.He then fights Ravan himself and badly humiliates him and defeats him with the help of the gods who are tired of Ravana’s evilness.

The final battle between them is crazy. The air is filled with arrows but Rama manages to fend them all off. Then a lot of different asthras are employed by both guys. When Rama chops off Ravana’s heads and arms they regrow as quickly as they are severed. In the end Rama uses the “Brahmasthra” and aims at Ravana’s heart, it hits him and he dies. The story ends with Rama, Sita, and Hanuman all going back to Ayodhya and they live peacefully for the rest of their lives.Each of the main characters of this story possesses special traits that are admired or despised. These traits can be seen through the different actions of the characters.

Characters such as Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanuman all show traits that are to be admired. Rama shows some amazing qualities in this epic. Rama is the personified as Dharma which is the Hindu concept of duty and harmony. Dharma is moral ethics and duty that befalls all living beings, to act upon perfect conduct. He understood that life is not fair and that one needs to utilize what one is given.Unfortunately, there are some people that never do learn what dharma truly means. A life lead by dharma may be unfair, but one is rewarded in the end. For example, at the end of this epic Ravana’s killed and Rama’s kingship is reinstated.

The conflict of dharma over artha will always exist in society. Even in present day with the rise of technology and individualism, we have surrounded ourselves with the temptations of artha. The modern world depends on the accumulation of power, the need for wealth to have a goodlife and the greed for better things.It is difficult to see past artha, but the need for a life of dharma still exists. By educating people through the teachings presented in The Ramayana, one can instill the importance of dharma to future generations.

The values in The Ramayana are universal; everyone will be able to use this learning tool to understand the lessons taught within the epic. As in the book, where it says, “I am firmly convinced that our mother Kaikeyi is the one who deserves to inherit this kingdom. it is Bharatha’s privilege-being he one chosen by Kaikeyi.Do you want to let your anger rage until you have vanquished. a mother who has nursed us, and a father who was the greatest ruler on Earth.? Control yourself, and take your hand off your bow. ” This is said by Rama to Lakshmana after they learn Rama has been exiled by his stepmother Kaikeyi.

This quote shows the humbleness and duty that Rama possesses. He does not become angry that he has been exiled but looks at it as a duty to his stepmother and his father. Lakshmana is a character that filled rage but also a since of duty to Rama who is his half-brother. My blood boils and will not calm down-you will now see what my bow can do. What’s all this strength of my arm worth! Mere burden, if it cannot be employed to destroy evil when I see it; and my anger itself has now proved futile”.

This quote is after Lakshmana finds out that Rama is being exiled. He becomes enraged because he thinks it is unfair for Rama to give up his throne to a half brother and the son of Kaikeyi. But he also shows his loyalty to Rama by following him into exile even though he thinks it is wrong. Sita is the example of the ideal wife.Even though she showed a blind love to Rama she was truly in love with him. Her blind love would be the fact she did not know what Rama was capable of. She did not trust Lakshmana when he said that Rama would be safe when he went to catch the golden deer. She insisted that Lakshmana should go and help Rama even though that would leave her vulnerable to an attack.

She feared for Rama’s life more than her own. Hanuman is a god who aided Rama in rescuing Sita from Ravana. He symbolizes selfless and loving devotion, and the bravery of a morally upright individual. Hanuman emerges in the Ramayana as one of the most important and worshipful characters; there is a belief that to meditate on him is to acquire immeasurable inner strength and freedom from fear. ” Hanuman showed great friendship to Rama in that he put his own life on the line to tell Ravana Rama would defeat him. Hanuman was one character that should be admired.

There are some traits that should be despised. Such as the dangers of lust and ego that are seen in Ravana. Ravana was the king of Lanka. He was depicted as a ten headed and twenty armed beast.He ruled through the power of the gods and controlled the people through fear. If they would try to revolt or become unfavorable in his view he would have them killed.

When he found out about Sita he began to lust after her. He would not stop at anything to catch and attempt to make her his bride. His lust would cause him to be obsessed with Sita. His kingdom began to unravel because of his lust of Sita. His lust was not his only flaw. He had a huge ego problem. He thought he was unbeatable. When Hanuman told him he would be destroyed by Rama he became so upset that he caught Hanuman’s tale on fire.

This backfired because Hanuman used this to burn down the city. Ravana’s despicable traits cause his eventual defeat by Rama. Since this story is regarded as sacred Hindu literature because of its implication on the meaning of life. This story’s idea of the meaning of life is to be full of duty and harmony along with having great friendships with people who are loyal and committed to you. These ideas are shown through each one of the characters.

Rama is true to duty and harmony, while Hanuman, Lakshmana, and Sita all show the good qualities of friendship.You should not be full of pride and lust. These traits are shown through the evil Ravana. The epic story of Rama and his partners and enemies gives implications on how one could live your life.

It shows how one can become successful through your positive traits and how one might be unsuccessful if they were to follow in Ravana’s path. R. K. Narayan did an excellent job of using the ancient Sanskrit to write this wonderful story. The plot was full of excitement and the meanings behind all the characters actions can be applied in our lives today. This was truly a magnificent piece of literature.

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Analysis of Ramayana by R K Narayan. (2019, Nov 01). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/paper-on-essay-ramayana/

Analysis of Ramayana by R K Narayan
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