There are over 300 versions of the Ramayana and Valmiki himself had written many of them.
Other Religious sects of India,Buddhism and Jainism have adapted this to suit their Philosophy.
Jain Ramayana.
“Depending on the methods of counting, as many as three hundred versions of the Indian epic poem, the Ramayana, are known to exist. The oldest version is generally recognized to be the Sanskrit version attributed to the sage Valmiki.’
Lord Rama
Adhyatma Ramayana or spiritual Ramayana is extracted from the Brahmananda Purana, traditionally ascribed to Vyasa.
Vasistha Ramayana (more commonly known as Yoga Vasistha) is traditionally attributed to Valmiki.
Laghu Yoga Vasishtha, by Abhinanda of Kashmir, is an abbreviated version of the Yoga Vasistha.
Ananda Ramayana is traditionally attributed to Valmiki. While it briefly recounts the traditional story of Rama, it is composed primarily of stories peripheral, though related, to Valmiki’s narrative. These include Ravana’s abduction of Sita and Rama’s installment of the Shiva Lingam at Rameswaram.[6]
Agastya Ramayana is also traditionally attributed to Agastya.
Adbhuta Ramayana.
The Jain Ramayana in short.
“According to the Jain version of Ramayana, Dasharatha, the king of Saketa had four queens: Aparajita, Sumitra, Suprabha and Kaikeyi. These four queens had four sons. Aparajita’s son was Padma, and he became known by the name of Rama. Sumitra’s son was Narayana: he became to be known by another name, Lakshmana. Kaikeyi’s son was Bharata and Suprabha’s son was Shatrughna. Furthermore, not much was thought of Rama’s fidelity to Sita. According to Jain version, Rama had four chief-queens: Maithili, Prabhavati, Ratinibha, and Sridama. Furthermore, Sita takes renunciation as a Jain ascetic after Rama abandons her and is reborn in Heaven. Rama, after Lakshmana’s death, also renounces his kingdom and becomes a Jain monk. Ultimately, he attains Kevala Jnana omniscience and finally liberation. Rama predicts that Ravana and Lakshmana, who were in fourth hell, will attain liberation in their future births. Accordingly, Ravana is the future Tirthankara of next half ascending time cycle and Sita will be his Ganadhara.”
If one wants to know about the lands and people of the world during Sanatana Dharma, the best source, in my opinion, is the set of instructions given by Sugriva to his army of vanaras in search of Sita, who was abducted by Ravana.
He gives such detailed descriptions, ably captured by Valmiki, that one can identify the Lands even today.
I have posted on Peru where Nazca Lines resemble the Trishul of Lord Shiva,Arkaim in Russia.
In the course of his directions Sugriva directs a group of his army bound for west to search for Sita in a mountain where the sun sets.
Ancient City Arkaim.
“Sugreeva, (the ‘vanara’ commander) directs the ‘vanaras’ to go west from the Vindya mountains of India, right up to the fourth quarter of the (Arabian) sea, via a point described as ‘where the Sindhu falls into the sea’ – which may point to either where the Indus falls into the Arabian Sea at Karachi in Pakistan or to where the Narmada falls into the Arabian Sea. Sindhu is the Sanskrit name of Indus, butsindhu also means ‘river’. Going along this route, the fourth quarter of the sea would bring the Vanaras to the ‘Persian Gulf’.
Valmiki description of a coastal mountain by the name ‘Hemgiri’ – high with its peak touching the sky, and also a waterlogged mountain by the name ‘Paariyatra’ indicates that the ‘vanaras’ were probably taking a sea-side route along the Persian Gulf. Valmiki also describes a Mount ‘Vajra’, which he says shines like a diamond – possibly a reference to the peaks of what is today known as the Zagros Range.
Ancient Baghdad.
After crossing the fourth quarter of the Ocean, the ‘vanaras’ are told that they will see a structure on Mt. Chakravan, which looks like a ‘wheel with a thousand spokes’. The Ramayana says that the city or structure was built on this mountain by the ‘celestial architect’ ‘Vishwakarma. This suggest a megalithic circular wheel like structure atop a mountain…
Another option is the city of Yerevan in Armenia. Yerevan is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities of the world. Yerevan has been built and rebuilt over the ruins of older cities over the centuries – but its basic plan even today remains circular as it was in the ancient times. The city is spread out now but historically the city was located at the heart of the Armenian Highland in Kotayk canton of Ayrarat province.
The Ramayana say that a at distance of 64 ‘yojanas’ (a yojana has been taken to mean a distance of anywhere between 6 to 15 km) from this city, the Vanaras will encounter a peak by the name ‘Varaaha’. This may well be Mt. Ararat of today. Mt. Ararat is visible from Yerevan. Also, over the millennia the name ‘Chakravan’ may have distorted to ‘Yerevan’ and ‘Varaaha’ to ‘Ararat’. The Ramayana then mentions a city by the name ‘Pragjyotish’ which was the abode of the demon ‘Naraka’. Though there are no cities with a name close to ‘Pragjyotish’ in the Armenian region, but there sure is a town by the name ‘Narek’ located close to Mt. Ararat.
Another possibility is that Valmiki may have been referring to a pre-historic city, on the ruins of which Baghdad was built later. Present day Baghdad was built on the ruins of ancient Baghdad which was first built in 700 AD. But is it possible that there was a city already existing thousands of years before 700 AD and was mentioned in the Ramayana. Sketches of ancient Baghdad comes uncannily close to Valmiki’s description.
Some scholars have suggested that there is also a possibility that when the ‘vanaras’ head west and then continue their journey along a mountain range, they could be moving northwards along the Zagros and further to the Ural range. In that case, could the ancient city that the ‘vanaras’ saw be ‘Arkaim’ in the Urals. It has even been debated that ancient Arkaim was not a city at all, and that it was a weapon-storage facility!
Yet another proof that the Ramayana was real and not a fantasy.
That Ramayana was real, I had posted in detail through a couple of articles and an article about Rama’s son Lava having founded Lahore,Pakistan.
The City Shravasti was the place in Kosala Kingdom from where Lava ruled from.
Very little is known of the city of Shravasti until it rose to fame during the Gupta Period with its association with Buddhism and Jainism. Maheth, sprawling over an area of 400 acres, is identified with the remains of the city of Shravasti. Excavations led to the discovery of massive gates and ramparts and many other remains of the ancient city which speak volumes of the prosperity of Shravasti.
The Sobhanath Temple is a Jain temple one must visit on tours to Shravasti. This place is believed to be and is revered as the birthplace of Jain prophet Swayambunatha. This is a major tourist attraction and pilgrimage spot for the Jains.Saheth another place to be visited on tours to Shravasti Uttar Pradesh in India, was once the site of the famous Jetavana monastery; the place houses numerous ancient shrines, stupas and monasteries spreading over an area of 32 acres. One of the earliest Stupas, probably dating back to 3rd century BC, is said to have contained relics of the Buddha. Excavations also revealed a colossal statue of Lord Buddha, which has been kept at the Indian Museum in Kolkata……
Shiva Linga in Shravasti.
“Archaeologists in eastern India have discovered the remains of an ancient temple where the Buddha used to preach.
The discovery of the 2,000-year-old shrine at Shravasti, the capital of the ancient Koshal kingdom in what is now Uttar Pradesh state, was reported by a team from the state Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Birendra Nath, a superintending archaeologist of the ASI, says the find has shed light on life at the time of the Buddha two millennia ago.
He says the Buddha stayed for four months at Shravasti and delivered most of his sermons there.
“The excavation sites have unveiled one of the most important cities of ancient India called Shravasti, which was the capital of the Koshal kingdom of King Premjit – a contemporary of Lord Buddha,” Mr Nath said.
He says the Shravasti site was first identified by Sir Alexander Cunningham, a British archaeologist, in 1861.
A large number of terracotta earthenware, human figurines, beads, plaques, seals, copper and silver coins and objects of bone and ivory were discovered.
Mr Nath says the temple hints at the existence of a well-planned town with good drainage and brick-layered wells.
The Buddha, an Indian prince born as Gautama Siddharta, is believed to have lived from about 563 BC to 483 BC.”
References in the Ramayana, Mahabharata.
Anathapindika’s Stupa in Shravasti
During the period of the ancestors of Raghava Rama, there was only one Kosala kingdom. It had its capital at Ayodhya, identified as the Ayodhya town near Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh state of India. During the reign of Dasaratha, the father of Rama, Dakshina Kosala came into prominence. It was situated in the Madhya Pradesh state of India. Dasaratha married his eldest wife Kausalya from this kingdom.
Raghava Rama’s son’s Lava and Kusa, inherited each half of the Kosala kingdom, with Ayodhya as its capital. Thus, this Kosala split into two parts; one ruled by Lava, with capital at Sravasti, to the north of Ayodhya and the other by Kusa at Kusavati, believed to be towards the east of Ayodhya.
The Indian epic Mahabharata is the window to this era.
During the time of Kurukshetra War, and the reign of Pandavas and Kauravas, we find mention of numerous kingdoms with the name, Kosala (as per the references in Mahabharata).
The mothers of Dhritarashtra and Pandu, viz Ambika and Ambalika, where described to be Kosala princesses. They were some times described as princesses from Kasi Kingdom, Kasi and Kosala being a single kingdom (often denoted as Kasi-Kosalas) during the time of Mahabharata.
Then Satyavati and Bhishma and the Kosala princesses were all gratified with the presents Pandu made out of the acquisitions of his prowess. And Ambalika in particular, upon embracing her son of incomparable prowess, became very glad.
Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 188
Kosala king was present in this event
………the highly intelligent Vatsaraja, the king of Kosala, Sisupala and the powerful Jarasandha, these and many other great kings—all Kshatriyas celebrated throughout the world—have come, O blessed one (Panchali), for thee.
Mahabharata, Book 2, Chapter 14
The eighteen tribes of the Bhojas, from fear of (Magadha King) Jarasandha, have all fled towards the west; so also have the Surasenas, the Bhadrakas, the Vodhas, the Salwas, the Patachchavas, the Susthalas, the Mukuttas, and the Kulindas, along with the Kuntis. And the king of the Salwayana tribe with their brethren and followers; and the southern Panchalas and the eastern Kosalas have all fled to the country of the Kuntis. So also the Matsyas and the Sannyastapadas, overcome with fear, leaving their dominions in the north, have fled into the southern country. And so all the Panchalas, alarmed at the power of Jarasandha, have left their own kingdom and fled in all directions.
Jain Link.
History of Shravasti teerth begins with the formation of Janpad’s by Yugadidev Shri Adishwar Prabhu. This place was the capitol city of North Kaushal Janpad. Many Jain Kings such as King Jitari, the father of third Teerthankar Shri Sambhavnath Bhagwan and others past here after Bhagwan Adinath. King Prasanjeet ruled this place at the time of Bhagwan Mahaveer. He was a loyal follower of Prabhu Veer. The main listener of Prabhu Veer King of Magadh Samrat Shrenik has wedded the sister of King Parasanjeet. This was also called by the names of Kunal Nagari and Chandrikapuri in the old days. Many Jain temples and Stoops (pillars) were present in this city. It is specified in history that greater king Samrat Ashok and his grand son King Samprati also constructed many temples and Stoops at this holy place. This teerth place is also descripting in “Brihatkalp”. Chinese traveler Fahiyan has also described this holy place in his memories of traveling India during 5th century BC. One more Chinese traveler during 7th century BC, Hun-Yen-Sang, has described this place as Jet van Monastery. Later this was called as Manikapuri. This was ruled by King Mayurdhwaj during 900 AD, by King Hansdhwaj during 925 AD, by King Makardhwaj during 950 AD, by King Sudhavadhwaj during 975 AD and by King Suhridhwaj during 100 AD. All of them were Jain Kings belonging to Bhar Vansh
The Government of India declared in the Court that the Rama Sethu was destroyed by Rama himself.
Remains of Kodandarama Temple,Dhanushkodi.
“Responding to petitioners’ argument that Ram Sethu was a place of worship and that if it was breached it would no longer be fit for worship, senior advocate Fali S Nariman said: “The scriptures say it was already broken into several pieces by Lord Rama himself after the Rama-Ravana war. If that is so, it is already broken since time immemorial and hence it can no longer be a place of worship.”
There is also a Tamil belief that Dhanushkodi,Tamil Nadu whci was destroyed by a Cyclone in 1964, means that the term Dhanushkodi means ‘ that the place was destroyed.
”
The mythological importance assigned to this town is that when Lord Rama returned to India after vanquishing Ravana, Vibhishana pleaded with him to break the setu (bridge) so that no other armies would use it. Rama acquiesced to his request and broke the Indian side of the bridge with the end of his bow. This place came to be known as Dhanushkodi (Dhanush is ‘bow’ and kodi is ‘end’ in Tamil) and remains to this day a holy place for Hindus.
I am unable to find any reference in the Ramayana that Rama Sethu was destroyed.
To my understanding, Dhanush Kodi means the ‘end of Bow’, certainly no indication about it having been destroyed.
Contribution on this subject welcome.
Reference to Rama Sethu in Hindu Puranas.
Apart from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata also refers to the continued protection of Nala Setu following Sri Rama’s command. Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsham also refers to the Setu. So does the Skanda Purana (III 1.2.1-114), the Vishnu Purana (IV 4.40-49), the Agni Purana (V-XI), the Brahma Purana (138.1-40).
And hearing these words of Rama, the genius of Varuna’s abode (Samudra), joining his hands, answered in great affliction, ‘I do not desire to put any obstacle in thy way. I am no foe of thine! Listen, O Rama, to these words, and having listened, do what is proper! If, at thy command, I get a way for the passage of thy army, others then, from strength of their bows, will command me to do the same! In thy army there is aVanara of the name of Nala, who is a skilful mechanic. And endued with great strength, Nala is the son of Tashtri (Viswakarma), the divine artificer of the Universe. And whether it is wood, or grass or stone, that he will throw into my waters, I will support the same on my surface, and thus wilt thou have a bridge (over which to pass)!’ And having said these words, the genius of the Ocean disappeared. And Rama awaking, called Nala unto him and said, ‘Build thou a bridge over the sea! Thou alone, I am sure, art able to do it!‘ And it was by this means that the descendant of Kakutstha’s race caused a bridge to be built that was ten Yojanas in width and a hundred Yojanas in length.And to this day that bridge is celebrated over all the world by the name of Nala’s bridge. And having completed that bridge, Nala, of body huge as a hill, came away at the command of Rama.
And while Rama was on this side of the ocean, the virtuous Vibhishana, the brother of the king of the Rakshasas accompanied by four of his counsellors, came unto Rama. And the high-souled Rama received him with due welcome. Sugriva, however, feared, thinking he might be a spy. The son of Raghu, meanwhile perfectly satisfied (with Vibhishana) in consequence of the sincerity of his exertions and the many indications of his good conduct, worshipped him with respect. And he also installed Vibhishana in the sovereignty of all the Rakshasas and made him his own junior counsellor, and a friend of Lakshmana’s. And it was under Vibhishana’s guidance, O king, that Rama with all his troops crossed the great ocean by means of that bridge in course of a month
.-Translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguly.
(Within the Mahabharata, Markandeya tells the story of the Ramayana to encourage Draupadi after Jayadratha’s attempted kidnapping of her.
Within that is a reference to the Rama Sethu which was called as Nala Sethu after the engineer in the time of Veda Vyasa.
Source : Mahabharata : Vana Parva : Book 3 : SECTION CCLXXXI 🙂
Lord Rama, during his attempt to cross the ocean,prayed Samudra Raja, Lord of the ocean.
He did not turn up.
In a rare display anger Lord Rama sent in His arrow and it landed and parched the place it fell.
Thus was formed the Maru Desert near Jaisalmer.
The world famous three-day Maru Mahotsav is the rich and colorful Rajasthani folk culture festival held every year in February at Jaisalmer. Maru Mahotsav also known as the Desert Festival is known for its unique events such as camel race,traditional dance performance, and other cultural events of royal Rajasthan.
Ramayana says thus.
”
The valiant ocean, the lord of rivers, wearing a wreath of pearls, with his eyes resembling lotus leaves, bearing a beautiful garland made of all kinds of flowers on his head, with ornaments of refined gold, adorned with excellent jewels made of pearls from his domain, decorated with different kinds of gems and metals, resembling Himavat mountain, wearing on his broad chest a locket shedding a white luster, resembling a Kaustubha gem (adorning the blossom of Lord Vishnu) and hanging in the middle of a single string of pearls, with a multitude of waves whirled around him, encircled by the clouds and winds, escorted by rivers mainly the Ganga and Sindhu, endowed with diverse forms resembling various deities, approached Rama with joined palms, who stood with arrows in hand, addressing him first as ‘Rama!’ and spoke the following words: “O, beloved Rama! Earth, wind ether, water and light remain fixed in their own nature, resorting to their eternal path. Therefore, I am fathomless and my nature is that it is impossible of being swum across. It becomes unnatural if I am shallow. I am telling you the following device to cross me. Neither from desire nor ambition nor fear nor from affection, I am able to solidify my waters inhabited by alligators. I shall make it possible to see that you are able to cross over. I will arrange a place for the monkeys to cross me and bear with it. As far as the army crosses me, the crocodiles will not be aggressive to them.”
Then, Rama spoke to that ocean as follows: “Listen to me. This great arrow should not go in vain. In which region should it be descended?”
Hearing Rama’s words and seeing that powerful arrow, the large splendid Ocean spoke the following words to Rama: Towards my northern side, there is a holy place. It is well known as Drumatulya, in the same way as you are well known to this world. Numerous robbers of fearful aspect and deeds, having the sinful Abhiras as their chief, drink my waters there. I am not able to bear that touch of those wicked people, the evil doers, O, Rama! Let this excellent arrow with out vain be released over them there.”
Hearing those words of the high-soled Ocean, Rama released that excellent and splendid arrow towards that place as directed by the ocean. The place where the arrow, whose splendor was akin to that of a thunder and a thunder bolt, was descended by Rama- that place is indeed famous as desert of Maru* on this earth.
* Maru—Malwar in Rajastan (India)
The earth there, pierced by the dart, then emitted a sound . The waters of the penultimate subterranean region gushed forth from the mouth of that cleft. Then the hollow became known as Vrana. Water constantly seen, gushing forth from it resembled seawater. A terrific splitting sound was born in that place. Water was dried up in those cavities, as a result of hurling of that arrow by Rama. That desert of Maru became famous in the three worlds. Rama (the son of Dasaratha), a wise man and a valiant man resembling a celestial, made that cavity dried up and gave a boon to that desert of Maru. Due to granting of a boon by Rama, that desert of Maru became the most congenial place for cattle rearing, a place with a little of disease, producing tasty fruits and roots, with a lot of clarified butter, a lot of milk and various kinds of sweet- smelling herbs. Thus it became an auspicious and suitable move, bestowing these merits. While that cavity was burning, Ocean the lord of rivers spoke these words to Rama who knew all scientific treatises.”
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