Questions tagged [ramayana]
A Hindu epic, written by sage Valmiki. It is the story of Lord Rama's life.
1,017
questions
12
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Was Ravana a vegetarian?
Ravan was half-brahmin and half-demon.His father,the great rishi Vishrava belonged to the Pulastya clan and mother Kaikasi originated from the asura clan.Since he was a brahmin and was the greatest ...
- 1,305
12
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Did Ravan speak Sanskrit?
One of my Sri Lankan friends claims that Ravana spoke Sinhalese.
Is there any place in the Ramayana where the sage Valmiki mentioned about the language of Ravana and his people?
- 121
12
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Who is Suvarchala? Is she wife or daughter of Sun God?
There are several stories of Hanuman being married or a bachelor. A question was already asked before on this site. Some say that Hanuman promised Sun that he will marry his daughter Suvarchala when ...
- 25.8k
12
votes
4
answers
38k
views
Why is Lord Hanuman portrayed as tearing-open his chest and showing Lord Rama is within it?
I have seen many images like the following that portray Lord Hanuman tear-open his chest and reveal Lord Rama and Sita inside it. What is the story behind this?
- 1,646
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why did Lord Rama give a second chance to Ravana, but not to Vali?
In Ramayana, Lord Rama gave a chance to Ravana to surrender and sent Angada as his ambassador for peace conciliation. This was because mercy befits a warrior.
Why didn't Rama, for the same reason, ...
- 531
12
votes
1
answer
11k
views
Questions regarding Jewellery of Mother Sita according to Valmiki Ramayana
This is only regarding Valmiki Ramayana. Please don't include details from other versions.
Please also mention original quotes from one of the original translations of Valmiki Ramayana and their ...
- 121
12
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Who freed Rambha from Vishwamitra's curse?
It is well-known that the sage Gautama cursed his wife Ahalya to turn into a rock. What is less well-known, however, is that the sage Vishwamitra cursed the Apsara Rambha in a similar fashion. ...
- 98.1k
12
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Negative Characterisitcs of Women - Ravana
Women are generally loving and we worship women in the form of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati, Durga and others. Our scriptures also tell us to respect women.
However, this YouTube video says that some ...
- 723
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How did lord Rama perform penance for Ravana after killing him?
In this video, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudeva says that Shri Rama performed 1 year penance in Himalayas for killing Ravana, who was a great devotee of lord Shiva.
Is it true?
If yes, then how did he do ...
- 19.8k
12
votes
2
answers
670
views
What is the worshipping place of Hayagriva mentioned in Yuddha Kanda?
One of the famous incidents from the Ramayana is Hanuman bringing the herbal mountain containing Sanjivani herbs. His journey towards the Himalayas is described in the Yuddha Kanda Sarga 74. He sees ...
- 25.8k
12
votes
1
answer
14k
views
Why did Lord Rama accept Indra's rath (chariot) in the Ramayana?
In Ramayana, when Lord Rama was about to kill Ravana, Indra sent his glorious and prestigious rath (chariot) to aid Lord Rama.
While taking leave from Ayodhya, Lord Rama had promised his father ...
- 4,346
12
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Who was the sage who witnessed Mahabharata and Ramayana multiple times?
I recently heard about time travel and am curious to know about the sage who had seen Mahabharat and Ramayan multiple times.
- 257
12
votes
2
answers
13k
views
What are the 16 qualities of Sri Rama?
What are the 16 qualities of Sri Rama? Are all of them humanly possible to achieve?
Was Rama born with those qualities or is there any evidence of him striving to acquire those qualities and get ...
- 30.8k
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Who divided Vedas?
According to the Vishnu Purana the original Veda was divided into four parts, and further fragmented into numerous shakhas, by Vishnu in the form of Vyasa, in the Dvapara Yuga; the Vayu Purana ...
- 17.5k
12
votes
1
answer
27k
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 ...
- 48.5k
12
votes
1
answer
834
views
Did Valmiki ever meet Lord Rama prior to the Ashwamedha?
I came across a question on this site about Veda Vyasa, the author of Mahabharat, meeting Lord Krishna and I was wondering if similarly Valmiki also met Lord Rama sometime. They have met at the time ...
- 927
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is the actual birthplace of Sita ji according to scriptures?
Recently Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was in Nepal at the Janaki Temple in Janakpur which is supposed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita and I came to know about this place due to the news ...
- 19.3k
12
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Why is Sundara Kanda more glorified than other Kandas of Ramayana?
In most of the hindu homes as well as temples, it is a customary practice to have sessions of Sundara Kanda on either day of week (preferably Tuesday).
My question is
What makes Sundara Kanda more ...
- 553
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 ...
- 30.8k
11
votes
4
answers
4k
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 ...
- 17.5k
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?
- 4,706
11
votes
4
answers
4k
views
On Identity of Sage Valmiki
Rishi Valmiki is the author of the Great Epic Ramayana. What are whereabouts of his earlier life? I have heard something like this about him (that he was dacoit) is there a way to prove or disprove ...
- 10.5k
11
votes
4
answers
24k
views
What is the story behind Kumbhakarna's sleep?
I've heard a lot about the Sleep Lover, Kumbhakarna. Why was he sleeping for so many days continuously? Is there a story behind this?
- 8,151
11
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Did Urmila Really Sleep for Fourteen Years?
It is a well known fact that Urmila did not accompany her husband Lakshmana to the forest for fourteen years, but remained behind in Ayodhya.
I have come across a story, that Lakshmana accompanying ...
- 2,176
11
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Who shot the first arrows to start the battles of the Ramayana and Mahabharata?
I have heard that shooting the first arrow to start the battle is very important to every battle.
Who shot the first arrow to start the battles of Ramayana and Mahabharata respectively?
- 4,274
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why was Garuda cursed by Swayamprabha to lose his wings?
This Hindupedia information page states that Garuda once lost his wings due to a curse by Swayamprabha, the female ascetic that Hanuman and other Vanars met while looking for Sita. Can anyone shed ...
- 19.3k
11
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Why was Sundara Kanda named as such?
I have come across the following verse in one website.
sundare sundaro ramah sundare sundari katha
sundare sundari sita sundare sundaram vanam,
sundare sundaram kavyam sundare sundarah kapih
sundare ...
- 17.5k
11
votes
1
answer
681
views
Who is Jambavan an incarnation of?
Jambavan an under appreciated character in the Ramayana(most people focus on Hanuman but it should be made clear it is Jambavan who made Hanuman aware of his immense spiritual prowess) is a steadfast ...
user8771
11
votes
1
answer
6k
views
How many wives did Ravana have?
Is Mandodari the only wife of Ravana? Or did he have other wives too?
If he had more than one wife, then why is only Mandodari famous? In which scripture(s) are others mentioned?
What are the names ...
- 6,923
11
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What is the story of Kalanemi who was reborn as Kamsa?
The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharat mentions that Kamsa was a rebirth of the demon Kalanemi:
"There was also born on earth a mighty Asura known amongst the Danavas by the name of Kalanemi, endued with ...
- 19.3k
11
votes
4
answers
543
views
Is invincibility in a battle dharma or adharma?
Background:
Many warriors like Bhishma, Indrajit, etc., had boons which made them invincible in a battle.
Even Karna had Kavacha and Kundalas which made him invincible (or almost immortal) in any ...
- 4,168
11
votes
1
answer
475
views
Why didn't Rāma leave his ring back in Ayodhya before setting out to the forest?
It is well-known that, in Kishkindha Kāṇḍa, before Hanumān begins his search for Sītā, Rāma gives his signet ring to Hanumān which he later hands over to Sītā saying:
O illustrious lady! I am a ...
- 30.8k
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, ...
- 98.1k
11
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Why did Lord Rama and Lord Krishna choose to born at (12 O'clock) day and night time respectively?
I have heard that Lord Rama was born at afternoon 12 O'clock (In day time) in Treta yuga. Same as in Dwapara yuga, Lord Krishna was born at mid night 12 O'clock (In night time). Both Lord Rama and ...
- 4,274
11
votes
2
answers
1k
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 ...
- 316
11
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Who was goddess Sita's father? Why are there multiple stories? Which one should we believe?
There have been many accounts as to who actually was the father of goddess Sita.
Contrary to what Valmiki's Ramayana says, some of them states that Sita was Ravana's first child whom he abandoned; ...
- 3,328
11
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Timelines of Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedas, and Upanishads
Can someone please give timelines of Ramayana, Mahabharta, Vedas, and Upanishads?
11
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Did Lord Rama's wife Devi Sita belong to Nepal? In which place did she stay during pregnancy?
The Wikipedia article suggests that Sita was either from Bihar or Nepal:
Born: Either present-day Sitamarhi district, Bihar, India or Janakpur, present-day Nepal (both the places were part of the ...
- 19.8k
11
votes
1
answer
5k
views
How come Lord Hanuman was able to resize his body?
Lord Hahuman was able to resize his body. When he wanted to cross the sea to get information of Maata Sita, he enlarge his body and cross the sea by jumping from India to Shri Lanka ( Keep in mind ...
- 4,706
11
votes
1
answer
1k
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 ...
- 6,260
11
votes
1
answer
990
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 ...
- 11k
11
votes
0
answers
135
views
What was the name of the Sage in the story narrated by Sita?
Sita narrated an old episode about a Sage(Rishi) to Sri Rama, in the Dandaka forest.The narration is as under:-
Once upon a time, oh, dexterous one, there was a pious and true worded hermit in some ...
- 6,058
11
votes
0
answers
130
views
Was Seeta ji born as a blessing from Shiva?
We know that Shri Rama took birth to rid the three worlds of the tyranny of Ravana. But I recently came across a verse in the Valmiki Ramayan that says that Seeta was also born for the same purpose!
...
- 19.3k
11
votes
0
answers
693
views
What is the story of Vishnu incarnating as a mango tree in the Dandaka forest?
The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya. My question is ...
- 98.1k
11
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Female warriors in the Epics?
I was wondering whether the scriptures mention any special classification for female warriors. The general classification of rathi, maharathi, etc... are applied generally to warriors as seen in this ...
- 756
10
votes
3
answers
859
views
Which scripture mentions Yuga length?
I am aware that the yuga lengths have the ratio 4:3:2:1 and have seen in various posts that a Kali Yuga is 432,000 years. What religious texts (Puranas, Mahabharat, Ramayan, etc) mention these Yuga ...
- 523
10
votes
2
answers
932
views
How did Ashoka Vana remain unaffected by the fire?
When Hanuman set the entire Lanka on fire, how is it that Ashoka Vana escaped it. Was it because Hanuman put out the fire, or due to Sita's power or the fire did not reach there?
- 397
10
votes
4
answers
29k
views
Ravana - Who were his parents and siblings?
Who were the parents of Ravana?
What were the names of Ravana's brothers and sisters?
And who is the real king of Lanka? Ravana or Vibhishana?
- 457
10
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How did Ravan get 10 heads? What are the names of those heads?
As Ravan had 10 heads, Does each head have individual names? Did Ravana got all names for his heads?
How he had got 10 heads?
- 6,923
10
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is it mentioned in any ancient scripture that Bhagiratha was raised by a lesbian couple?
From my own answer regarding third gender and its acceptance in Hinduism, I got to know about Krittivasi Ramayana, which says that Bhagiratha was raised by two co-widows, who made love together with ...
- 6,586