Ramayana Essays - Ikshvaku Dynasty, Rama, Salakapurusa, Hindu Texts

Ramayana Long ago in the far off land of Ayodha a boy was born. His name was Rama, son of King Dasartha. As he was growing up he met a young girl. The first time he saw her he was stunned by her beauty; it was love at first sight. Her name was Sita. The ended up getting married; there was a big elaborate ceremony. The person who married her had to bend a bow. Not only did Rama Bend it but he broke it. As the years went by they had a happy life King Dasaratha was getting old and wanted to chooses his son Rama as his heir. His wife Kaikeyi asks that he appoint another son Bharata, instead. Kaikeyi pleads that he owes her two favors, and she feels that something bad would happen to her if he doesn't crown Bharata king and send Rama to the forest for fourteen years. The king hesitated but agreed, so Rama goes with his beautiful wife, Sita, and his brother Laksmana, leaving their riches to live a simple life. In the forest the three meet the demoness Surpanakha who falls in love with Rama. Rama doesn't pay attention to her advances and Laksmana hurts her. She runs away to her brother Ravana, ruler of the island kingdom of Lanka. After hearing Surpanakha's report of the beauty of Sita, Ravana decides that he wants Sita as his own wife and changes himself into in wandering holy man to find her in the forest. When Rama and Laksmana are not paying attention, Ravana carries Sita off to Lanka. Sita cries and wishes for Rama in Ravana's garden in Lanka, while Rama and Laksmana try to get the help of Hanuman, the monkey king, to help them find her. Hanuman, able to make himself big or small, starts his search for Sita by taking a giant step to the Island of Lanka. Carrying Rama's ring he finds Sita and tells her he is Rama's messenger. Sita is very happy, but Hanuman is caught and Ravana sets Hanuman's tail on fire. Hanuman escapes and sets the island of Lanka on fire. Rama, Laksmana, Hanuman, and his monkey army start a battle in Lanka. The monkeys make a bridge to Lanka by holding themselves together. The battle was big horrible battle with spears, bows and arrows. Many people died. Rama eventually kills Ravana. Sita, however, when Rama finds her he wants to know if she stayed true to him. When he asks her to take the test by fire; she agrees. Proving her loyalty by remaining unscathed by the fire, she goes back to Rama. Later, Rama abandons her to maintain the sanctity of public opinion and she goes to live in the temple of sage Valmiki and has twin sons Lava and Kusa, who as young men became reunited with their father, the god-king Rama.