Questions tagged [ramayana]
A Hindu epic, written by sage Valmiki. It is the story of Lord Rama's life.
808
questions
16
votes
5answers
2k views
Did Lord Rama break His promise to his mother Kausalya and if so why?
Lord Rama, the seventh avatara of Vishnu is known as a personality who always keeps His word. However, the following verses from the Valmiki Ramayana struck me.
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने ...
4
votes
2answers
560 views
Why did Dasharatha perform Ashwamedha to beget children?
Reference: Balakanda 8th Sarga
Why did Dasharatha propose performance of Ashwamedha to beget children? Ashwamedha is primarily to establish supremacy over other kings. I am unable to understand the ...
3
votes
1answer
147 views
Did Rama stop the aerial car at Nandigrama itself to meet Bharata?
I have a confusion on whether Rama stopped the Pushpaka Vimana at Nandigrama itself to meet Bharata. If yes, then how Rama and Sita reached Ayodhya from Nandigrama?
13
votes
2answers
4k views
Did Dasharatha fight against the same demon Shambara described in the Rig Veda?
In the Ayodhya Kanda of the Ramayana, Kaikeyii's evil servant Manthara convinces Kaikeyii to exile Rama and make her son Bharata as king. Manthara reminds Kaikeyii that she had received two boons ...
0
votes
1answer
217 views
How to reconcile Rama's Vishwaroopa, Upanishads and Krishna saying he is Rama only among warriors?
Lord Rama is often known as the supreme being according to Vaishnavism. This is evidenced by many scriptural refereces:
Brahma in Valmiki Ramayana 6.117.31-32 calls Rama the first/primeval and ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
Whose bow Sri Rama broke - Varuna's or Shiva's?
In Ayodhya Kanda, Sita, while narrating her marriage episode to Anasuya, wife of Sage Atri, states that Janaka himself received a great bow from Varuna, the god of Water (rain-god), but not from Lord ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
Is the story of Sita's banishment present in any scriptures other than Valmiki Ramayana?
The story of Mother Sita's banishment by Sri Rama present in the Uttara Khanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, is perhaps the most controversial part of Sri Rama's story. Many Hindu acharyas such as Swami ...
23
votes
5answers
9k views
How did Dasharatha become friends with Jatayu?
In the Aranya Kanda of the Ramayana, when Rama meets the great bird Jatayu for the first time, this is how Jatayu introduces himself:
But that eagle with sweet and soft words spoke to them as ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Blind obedience to father in Scriptures
Shantanu agreed to Pratipa's wish, hence had to marry Ganga.
Bhishma left everything for his father's wish.
Rama followed the orders of his father and left for exile even when he could have easily ...
24
votes
2answers
6k views
What is the story of Alambusha, demon son of sage Rishyasringa?
Alambusha, AKA Shalakantaka, was a Rakshasa (demon) who fought on the Kaurava side in the Mahabharata war. As described in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata, he was the one who killed Arjuna's son ...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
Feminist's claim that the Vedas, Ramayana and Mahabharata were written by male writers
How do you go about refuting a feminist's (male or female) claim that the Vedas, epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata were authored by male persons, so no wonder some of the principles, ideologies and ...
5
votes
7answers
4k views
Why some Hindu Scriptures are against women?
Lord Indra himself has said, 'The mind of woman cannot be disciplined; she has very little intelligence.' " Rig Veda 8.33.17
Women are powerless, have no inheritance, and speak more humbly than even ...
0
votes
0answers
63 views
Does the fever curing mantra given by Dvivida found elsewhere? Is it in a mantra group family? Are any other mantras supposed to be written?
In Chapter 27 of the Kalki Purāṇa a short mantra is written by Dvivida for curing Lakṣmaṇa of a fever:
समुद्रस्योतरे तीरे
द्विविदो नाम वानरः
Samudrasyotare tīre
Dvivido nāma Vānaraḥ
This is an odd ...
2
votes
0answers
104 views
Is there any scriptural basis for the claim that Europeans/White people are vanaras and belong to Hanuman's lineage?
According to some Europeans, they were treated as untouchables in the 17th century in India. According to the Nepali civil code of 1854 they were "Pani Na Chalne Chhoichhito Haalnu Naparne" ...
1
vote
0answers
49 views
Did Ravana wear a sacred thread?
Did Ravana wear a sacred thread? If I get any sastric reference it will be helpful
3
votes
0answers
51 views
What is the first Sloka in Ramayana?
Valmiki keeps on wondering about Maanishada... sloka and Brahma says it is Saraswathi's grace and it is considered as the first sloka. Then what about the conversation between Sage Narada and Valmiki, ...
1
vote
0answers
60 views
Did any Rishi tell that Lord Hanuman would compose Brahma Sutra Bhashya?
I read somewhere, that in Valmiki Ramayana, a Rishi predicted that Lord Hanuman would compose Brahma Sutra Bhashya in future.
Is this true?
Where exactly in Ramayana is it mentioned?
-1
votes
1answer
151 views
4
votes
0answers
63 views
Why Mother Sīta is shown holding lotus in Her left hand?
In almost all representations of Mother Sita with Lord Rama, She is shown with a lotus in her left hand. As evident in the following images.
While it can be explained why Sri Rama is shown with Bow ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
Why Ramcharitmanas received more popularity than Valmiki Ramayana?
I have seen majority of people having Ramcharitmanas and even temples keep many copies of Ramcharitmanas rather than Valmiki Ramayana for Akhand Ramayan Paath. Why has Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas, ...
7
votes
1answer
204 views
The Four Curses and a Boon by Devī Sītā
In his book, Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana, Mr. Devdutt Pattanaik talks about an interesting event during the exile period of Śrī Rāma, Devī Sītā & Lakṣmaṇa, where Devī Sītā ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
Did Lakshmi come out of Samudramanthanam in the Ramayana version?
In the twitter feed of eminent Srivaishnavite lecturer/teacher Velukkudi Krishnan - somebody asked the above question.
3
votes
1answer
137 views
Why did Hanuman say that he can't liberate himself from Indrajit's Brahmastra?
When Indrajit fired Brahmastra towards Hanuman, Hanuman say he has no capacity to liberate himself from Brahmastra. Here is the quote from Sundara Kanda Sarga 48.
"I have no capacity to liberate ...
1
vote
1answer
125 views
Lord Hanuman is called as “Pavan-putra”, the son of wind. The Vedas say, there are fortynine winds. Which Pawan, helped conceive Lord Hanuman?
Krishna says in B.Gita (chapter #10) among the 49 winds, "marichi" is His own opulence.
The Vedic Puranas further relate that Sage Kashyap fathered daityas (demons) from his second wife Diti....
6
votes
1answer
712 views
What are the details of the story of Indra giving the Crest-jewel(chudamani) to king Janka?
The son of the wind-god,Hanuman, apprised Sri Rama(avatar of god Vishnu) about the discovery of Sita(avatar of goddess Lakshmi),on returning to Kishkindha (from Lanka).Then Hanuman delivered to Sri ...
1
vote
0answers
31 views
Veda vyasa mahabaratham [duplicate]
Where will I get mahabarat books written by maharishi veda vyasa in India? Also I wanted to get srimad Bhagavadam by vyasa and ramayan written by valmiki. When I search for such books I don't get the ...
9
votes
0answers
65 views
Does Shri Rama return in the month of Chaitra or Vaishakha?
The main question is right below, if you want to avoid the scriptural reference in the middle. also below we are following Amanta calendar (similar to South India)
Valmiki Ramayana
Shri Rama was ...
0
votes
0answers
57 views
Did Parashurama cede all his powers to end the confrontation with Rama in the Ramayana?
The two Ramas have a confrontation and at the end Parashruma says
But I triumphed over matchless realms of heavens with my ascesis, oh, Rama, you may hash them up with that irreversible arrow... let ...
20
votes
1answer
10k views
What are the main differences between Valmiki Ramayana and Ram Charit Manas
Valmiki Ramayana and Tulsidasa's Ram Charit Manas are 2 books containing the story of life of Lord Rama and other sub stories. While Valmiki Ramayana is considered to be the original source of Lord ...
6
votes
1answer
170 views
Which incarnations of Lord Vishnu are mentioned in the Rāmāyaṇa?
Like the Mahābhārata has several explicit references to various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, including that of Shri Rāma, What about the Rāmāyaṇa?
Which all incarnations of the Lord, have been ...
2
votes
0answers
102 views
What's the story of Shravan Kumar's parents?
As discussed in this QnA, the name "Shravana Kumara" (श्रवणकुमार), as is genrally captured in our popular imagination, is not actually found in the Valmiki Ramayana based recensions. The old ...
5
votes
2answers
467 views
Is there any mention of Lord Krishna in the Rāmāyaṇa?
In the Canto CXIX.: Glory To Vishnu
of the Yuddha Kāṇḍa of the Valmikí Rāmāyaṇa, after Rāvaṇa has been defeated, all deities appear in the sky and eulogize Shri Rāma, as Lord Vishnu himself ...
9
votes
1answer
949 views
References of Radha in the Itihasas?
Ok, this might be a little weird question, but are there any sort of references to Srimati Radharani INDIRECTLY in the two epics we have (viz. Ramayana and Mahabharata)? Just like Brahma extols Rama ...
7
votes
1answer
130 views
Why did the Sea God (Samudra) not yield to Lord Rama when he was however, willing to help Hanuman using Mainaka?
In the Sundarakanda of the Ramcharitmanas it is said:
जलनिधि रघुपति दूत बिचारी। तैं मैनाक होहि श्रम हारी॥५॥
Knowing him to be a messenger of Rama, the Sea (Sea God) told Mainaka to become a reliever ...
2
votes
0answers
27 views
How come sage Valmiki did not know about Rama up until Narada narrated to him? When the birth of Rama was celebrated and everybody knew him [duplicate]
I started reading Ramayana and had this doubt so thought would be better to ask it here.
2
votes
0answers
43 views
did Indrajit tell Ravana that Rama was Narayana himself?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3zrT-ccbHM
In this (In Hindi) episode Indrajit tells Ravana that when he fired them at Lakshmana, Brahmastra, Pashupathastra and Narayana chakra only saluted Lakshmana ...
20
votes
2answers
6k views
How did Krishna get Vishnu's Sharanga Bow?
As I discuss in this answer, the divine architect Tvashta (AKA Vishwakarma) created two powerful bows, the Pinaka bow for Shiva and the Sharanga bow for Vishnu. Brahma once got Vishnu and Shiva to ...
6
votes
1answer
270 views
Why didn't Bharata and Shatrughna help Rama in the war against Ravana?
Hanuman (on the way to Lanka while he was carrying Sanjivani) had told Bharata that Lakshmana was in great danger, Sita was kidnapped and Rama was at war with Ravana. Still Bharata and Shatruhgna didn'...
4
votes
2answers
15k views
What are the significances of reading Sundara Kanda (सुन्दरकाण्ड)?
In addition to the aforementioned question, I would also like to know the proper procedure & time to recite or read the same.
4
votes
0answers
44 views
What leisure activities found in Mahābhārata, Rāmāyaṇa & Purāṇa-s?
The modern world has got sports, degenerated cinema, etc. for leisure activities. I wonder what all our ancestors did as pastime?
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Who was the father of Garuda?
1) In Bala Kanda, Srimad Ramayana he was described as the son of Aristhanemi.
अरिष्ठनेमि दुहिता सुपर्ण भगिनी तु सा |
द्वितीया सगरस्य आसीत् पत्नी सुमति संज्ञिता || (Bala Kanda 38 Sarga 4 ...
0
votes
1answer
97 views
Shravan's death
Why did Shravan face such a bad death? If he was so good to his parents, and overall as a son and a person, then why did he go through such pain?
Did his previous janmas’ (births’) karma lead him to ...
3
votes
1answer
217 views
What is the reason behind Lord Rama's disappearance?
I believe Lord Rama is a symbol of Perfect man (as Son, Husband, Father and King), but still I don't know the reason for Rama's disappearance.
According to Padma Purana
"Disappearance of Sri ...
6
votes
3answers
5k views
Did Rama really call Buddha as a thief?
In 34th verse in 109 sarga of ayodhya kanda in valmiki Ramayana, the words यथा हि चोरः स तथा हि बुद्ध | appear. My question here is how did Buddha come to be referenced in Treta yuga?
2
votes
0answers
119 views
Did Ravana from Ramayana lust over Goddess Parvati?
I was reading an answer on quora which states that Ravana lusted over Goddess Parvati.
Did Ravana lust on goddess Parvati ?
2
votes
0answers
62 views
does any authentic vedic scriptures depict Sri Ram alone as the ultimate parabrahman
In the present era many people worship Shri Ram as bhagavan , many people see him as merely an incarnation and many people consider him to be just an ideal man. But other than Sri Valmiki Ramayana , ...
4
votes
0answers
206 views
How has the killing of Shambuka been described by the Sri Vaishnava tradition and what reason/justification, if any, has been given for the same
As per this site, Kulasekara Azhwar indicates the incident of Shri Rama killing Shambuka in verse 749 in the 10th dashakam of Perumal Tirumozhi of the Muthalayiram of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. ...
9
votes
1answer
17k views
For how many days was the Ramayana war fought?
The Mahabharata war is famous for its 18 days. However, the number of days the Ramayana war lasted isn't so popularly discussed as the Mahabharata war.
So, for how many days was the Ramayana war ...
14
votes
2answers
11k views
What is the use of chanting Aditya Hridayam?
How to chant Aditya Hrudayam?
How does it help in life?
What is the story behind this?
12
votes
2answers
373 views
How did earth sustain itself after Rishi agastya drank all the water from the oceans?
Rishi Agastya drank the oceans so the Devtas can iradicate the asura's hiding in the depth of Oceans,but he digested all the water and it was not filled back.
Then after many 1000s of years later ...
