Questions tagged [ramayana]
A Hindu epic, written by sage Valmiki. It is the story of Lord Rama's life.
301 questions
39
votes
1
answer
13k
views
Did the Mahabharata and the Ramayana happen in the current Yuga cycle in the current Manvantara?
The Mahabharata war has been given a date of around 3300 BC by back-tracing planetary positions from scriptural references (archeo-astronomy). The Ramayana is speculated to be anywhere between a few ...
- 3,780
42
votes
6
answers
49k
views
Did Ramayana occur 1.6 million years ago? [closed]
Many Western scholars and Indian scholars with Western mindset tried to fix the age of Srimad Ramayana, to approximately the 5th to 4th century BC. And, they succeeded to some extent in making ...
- 17.5k
11
votes
5
answers
16k
views
How many shlokas are there in Valmiki Ramayana?
Bibek Debroy in the article 10 Sanskrit texts everyone must read says:
Valmiki Ramayana - Valmiki was the first Sanskrit poet. He invented the shloka. In roughly 25,000 shlokas, this is the first ...
- 31.2k
29
votes
8
answers
11k
views
Why did Sri Rama banish Lady Sita when he was a witness of her fire-test himself?
Sri Rama was a great and just king of Ayodhya. There were some rumors reported by his subjects against the purity of Lady Sita.
So, as per the Raja Dharma, Rama had to banish Sita. But was it against ...
- 531
27
votes
5
answers
18k
views
Why did Lord Rama strike from behind to kill Vaali?
According to the Ramayana, when Sugriva approached Lord Rama for help in taking his kingdom and wife back from his monstrous brother Vaali, Lord Rama helped him by killing Vaali from behind without ...
- 11.6k
23
votes
3
answers
22k
views
What happened to the Vanara Sena after the Ramayana?
In the Ramayana, the Vanara Sena (monkey clan) made a glorious impact and registered its strong presence headed by Lord Hanuman, Vali, and Sugriva.
But after that there is no major presence or mark ...
- 1,971
15
votes
2
answers
903
views
Is there any mention of boon deadlock in scriptures?
Gods give boons to different people based on what they ask but what if
Person A gets a boon that he will kill everyone he wars against in the next 10 years.
Person B gets a boon that he cannot be ...
- 5,341
23
votes
1
answer
29k
views
Ages of Ramayana's characters
I have not found any specific reference in the Ramayana about:
What was the age of Dasharatha when Lord Rama was born?
What was the age difference amongst the four brothers (Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata ...
- 4,284
48
votes
7
answers
61k
views
Was Lord Rama a non-vegetarian?
I have always believed that Lord Rama was a vegetarian, but after reading certain blogs I found out that there might be certain verses in Ramayana (like the one below) which indicate quite the ...
- 497
29
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Was Ravana actually a villain? Or was he a devotee of Lord Vishnu?
Ravana was one of the greatest devotees of Lord Siva. He also worshiped Lord Brahma and the two of them had given him enormous powers. Among the Trimurthis, only Lord Vishnu punished him as Lord Rama.
...
user11
23
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What are the Avatarams of Vishnu described in the Yuddha Kanda of the Ramayana?
In the Yuddha Kanda of the Ramayana, after Rama kills Ravana and rescues his wife Sita, he tells Sita to walk through fire to (to others) prove that she is still faithful to him. She walks through ...
- 98.5k
14
votes
1
answer
10k
views
Why did Sita have a past life?
Sita is the incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi and is said to have been the reincarnation of Vedavati, also an incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi.
The story about Vedavati seems like only a prelude ...
- 445
12
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Why did Rāma kill Śambūka? And is Rāma justified in killing him without a second chance?
In Uttara-kāṇḍa of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, we see Vālmīki narrate the story of Śambūka.
Questions:
Why did Rāma kill Śambūka? Is it because Śambūka was a śūdra or is it because he was doing Tapasya for the ...
- 31.2k
12
votes
6
answers
14k
views
Is Hanuman an avatar of Lord Shiva?
I grew up watching Ramayana and Mahabharata TV series which was telecasted on Dhoordharshan channel. I vaguely remember my grandma say that Hanuman is an avatar of Shiva to help Vishnu (Ram) to ...
- 1,095
22
votes
1
answer
60k
views
Why did Laxman get injured by Indrajit's 'shakti' weapon?
In Ramayana, Indrajit was able to hit Laxman by his special weapon named Shakti. Due to this Laxman went very near to death. Now Lord Hanuman went to Himalaya & brought Sanjivani. This way Laxman ...
- 4,724
17
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Was the story of adultery of Indra in the story of Ahalya a PRAKSHIPTA?
If Lord Indra is a "womaniser" as described as in the Puranic Literature, can anyone tell as to how many women fall prey to him?
Only Ahalya's story occurs to me. So we have to closely examine the ...
- 17.5k
8
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Original Ramayana and Mahabharata [closed]
Was the name "Ramayana" given to Ramayana by sage Valmiki or is it people who just call it by that name?
If not, then what was the name given by Valmiki?
Is the Ramayana book written by the sage ...
- 539
7
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Why does Lord Shiva fulfill wishes of evil people also?
Ravana was Lord Shiva's devotee. Lord Shiva was impressed with Ravana's tapasya and fulfilled his dream. My question is, Ravana was evil and took Sita from Rama, then why did Lord Shiva help him?
I ...
- 129
20
votes
3
answers
19k
views
What language did people at the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata use to communicate? Sanskrit?
What was the mode of communication among the people at the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata? Was it Sanskrit?
Did Krishna, Pandavas and Kauravas (who I think had origins near the state of Bihar, where ...
- 409
20
votes
1
answer
5k
views
What did Kashyapa do with the Earth after he received it from Parashurama?
Parashurama is a famous avatara (incarnation) of Vishnu who killed the Kshatriyas (kings) of the world twenty-one times. Since he had defeated all the rulers of the world, he obtained control of the ...
- 98.5k
16
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Did Rama know that he was Avatar of Lord Vishnu?
This chapter of Ramayana narrates the meeting of Garuda with Rama.
न च कौतूहलं कार्यं सखित्वं प्रति काङ्क्षिणा ।
कृतकर्मा रणे वीर सखित्वं प्रतिवेत्स्यसि ॥६-५०-५७
"O, hero! You need not ...
- 31.6k
26
votes
4
answers
14k
views
Who made Lord Hanuman immortal?
From what I've read, I've concluded that Lord Hanuman is one of the seven * Chiranjeevis.* (Immortals). But I am not sure who made Lord Hanuman immortal, and why?
I've heard many rumours that Lord ...
- 11.6k
25
votes
2
answers
34k
views
How could Valmiki write the Ramayana?
As we know, there is no mention of Sage Valmiki in the Ramayana. He was mentioned or seen only in the Lava-Kusha story. So who told the complete story of the Ramayana to Sage Valmiki? Was it Goddess ...
- 11.6k
23
votes
7
answers
39k
views
Why did Lord Hanuman decide to spend his life as a celebate?
According to Ramayana, Lord Hanuman was a Brahmachari (celibate/bachelor). Why did he decide to spend his life as a celibate? What is the reason behind it?
- 11.6k
22
votes
3
answers
26k
views
What is the story of Kalki (tenth avatar of God Vishnu)?
I have heard that in Kalki avatar, God Vishnu will marry Goddess Vaishnav devi as promised(The promise event occurs when God Vishnu were in Ram avatar and returning to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile)....
- 11.6k
15
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Ramayana ➡ Mahabharata: 31 Ikshvaku Kings. What was the (average) age of those kings?
Book IV Chapter 4 of Vishnu Purana describes Ikshvaku dynasty as:
"Rama and his brothers had each two sons. Kusha and Lava were the sons of Rama; those of Lakshman were Angada and Chandraketu; ...
- 48.7k
15
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Different Ramayanas
I have heard different tales of Ramayana while travelling to different parts of India. The basic story remains the same but slight differences do exist. What really concerns me is the way Ravan ...
14
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Why did Lord Rama and Lakshmana separate?
I know at the end of Ramayana, Lord Rama and Lakshmana separated. But what is the reason for that?
- 8,181
13
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Is the Uttara Kanda of the Srimad Valmiki Ramayana interpolated?
The Valmiki Ramayana consists of 7 Kandas. The last chapter called the Uttara Kanda is considered an interpolation, added in later time? Does the the Uttara Kanda mentions about sakas or Greeks? Is it ...
- 5,232
8
votes
7
answers
18k
views
Did Lord Rama really worship Lord Shiva?
Traditionally, the Ramayana is attributed to Valmiki. The Hindu tradition is unanimous in its agreement that the poem is the work of a single poet; the sage Valmiki, a contemporary of Rama and a ...
- 1,227
-5
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Between Daśaratha-Jātaka and Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa which is older?
One of the fundamental differences between the Buddhist Daśaratha-Jātaka and the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa is that Sītā is portrayed as Rāma's half-sister in the Jātaka:
Once upon a time, at Benares, a ...
- 31.2k
15
votes
1
answer
6k
views
ISR says birthdate of Lord Rama is 10th January 5114 BC. What about Kalki avatar?
As per ISR scientific study and research, Lord Rama's birth date is calculated as 10th january 5114 BCE. They used a software named Planetorium, simulated arrangement of planets as per Valmiki ...
- 12k
15
votes
3
answers
29k
views
Why did Lord Hanuman forget that he has special powers?
Somehow Lord Hanuman forgets that he could fly, and has other special powers until Jaambavant reminds him of them. How and why did this happen?
I've also heard that Lord Hanuman wasn't actually ...
- 11.6k
11
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Did Rama really send Lakshmana to receive wisdom from Ravana after his fall in war?
When Ravana was dying in the battlefield after getting hit by Lord Rama, Lord Rama sent Lakshmana to Ravana.
Ravana and Lakshmana had some conversation. What was it all about?
- 4,724
10
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Who is Agastya's brother in the Ramayana?
In the Aranya Kanda of the Ramayana, Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita are on the way to the ashram of the famous sage Agastya when they first stop by at the ashram of another sage:
While viewing beautiful ...
- 98.5k
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Was marrying brother's wife an accepted in the society of the Ramayana or pre-Ramayana era?
After the death of Vali, his wife Tara becomes the wife of Vali's brother Sugriv
After the death of Ravana, his wife Mandodari becomes the wife of Ravana's brother Vhivhisan
Interesting both Tara and ...
- 576
8
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Did Lord Rama exile Maa Sita?
Is it true that Lord Rama exiled Maa Sita even after she passed the Agni Pariksha?
For an overview, Maa Sita was captured by Ravan, and later, Lord Rama fought with an army of monkeys with Ravan's ...
- 7,089
8
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Is any other religion or civilization mentioned in Mahabharata, Ramayana or other Hindu holy books?
Recently, I had a discussion with my friend regarding which civilization of the world is the most ancient. We've been through some Wiki links according to which more or less Sindhu Civilization is one ...
- 181
34
votes
3
answers
29k
views
How did Goddess Sita protect herself in Ravana's palace?
Ravana abducted Goddess Sita with evil intentions to marry her. But he didn't step forward to do so. What protected Goddess Sita from Ravana for more than six months (as far as I know) in Ravana's ...
- 11.6k
32
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Did mountains use to have wings?
I heard that in Ramayana it is stated that mountains used to have wings at one point, then somehow all the mountains lost their wings, except for one mountain which was between India and Sri Lanka.
...
- 11.6k
16
votes
1
answer
13k
views
How did Ravana get the golden city of Lanka?
In the Ramayana, we know that Ravana was the King of the golden city of Lanka. How did he get this city? I know very little other than that it was offered by Shiva.
- 11.6k
13
votes
2
answers
17k
views
What is the story of Vishnu killing sage Bhrighu's wife Kavyamata?
In the Bala Kanda of the Ramayana, Rama is hesistant to kill the Rakshasi (demoness) Thataka because she's a woman, but the sage Vishwamitra tells him that even the gods have fought women when they ...
- 98.5k
13
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Was Ravana's Lanka not the present day Sri Lanka?
Many people are thinking and confidently stating that Ravana's Lanka is in fact present day Sri Lanka, situated south-east of India.
However, the narration given by Sage Valmiki in Sundara Kanda ...
- 17.5k
13
votes
5
answers
28k
views
What was the age of Sita at the time of marriage?
I've read the claims that she was a child at the time of marriage. Is that really true? What scriptures tell about the marriage age of Sita?
user6990
13
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Did Lord Rama reach Ayodhya after 20 days from Dusherra?
I've came across this question in Quora which got so many answers according to their view.
I think some answers are utterly incorrect. Moreover one answer says it took 1 yr 18 days to return to ...
- 285
11
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Do any scriptures say that the hunter Jara was a rebirth of Vali?
As I discuss in this answer, Krishna departed the Earth after he was shot by a hunter named Jara. Now there's a popular story that this Jara was actually the next birth of Sugriva's brother Vali, ...
- 98.5k
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Was Valmiki (writer of Ramayana) 24th Vyasa?
Vishnu Purana:
English Translation: (Source)
In the twenty-fourth, Riksha (also can be written as Riksh or Ruksh or Ruksha), the descendant of Bhrigu, who is known also by the name Válmíki
Kurma ...
- 24.7k
7
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Was Shatrughna an avatar of Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra?
My friend told me that Lord Rama's brother Shatrughna was an avatar of Lord Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra. Is this real?
- 151
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Untouchability during Ramayana or Mahabharata period
Are there any references to untouchability or the presence of untouchables during the time of Ramayana or Mahabharata?
Or did the practice start afterwards?
- 733
30
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Why is "Chandra" added in the name of Lord Rama?
Why is "Chandra" added to the name of Lord Rama even though he is from the "Suryavanshi" (solar) clan? Also, this title was not added to any of his brothers or his father - only to Rama himself.
What ...
- 1,971