"Progressive" Thinking Regarding Heroes and Villains (was Another que...

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Dear Bhagavatas:

 

In continuation of my posting on the subject, I present below some of the

versions of Ramayanam (from Chapter 3 of my book "Hinduism Rediscovered")

archived in SDDS Volumes at www.geocities.com/~elayavalli/sgati

and why Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam is considered as authentic (from my talk at

the Venkateswara Mahima Conference at Pittsburgh)

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

 

Excerpts from "Chapter 3 Sources of Knowledge"

The RAMAYANA has been translated into several all India languages and in

various foreign languages. It has been adapted by different poets and authors

who were inspired by its lofty ideals. A few of the more well known works are

as follows:

i. ANANDA RAMAYANAM : Supposedly by Parameswara himself.

ii. ADYATMA RAMAYANAM by VISVAMITRA

iii.ADBUTA RAMAYANAM by VALMIKI himself

iv.AGANIVESYA RAMAYANAM by an unknown author

v.JAINA RAMAYANAM by HEMA CHANDRA

vi. KAMBA RAMAYANAM by Tamil Poet KAMBAR

vii. MANTRA RAMAYANAM by LAKSHMANA ARYA

viii. SANGRAHA RAMAYANAM by NARAYANA PANDITHA

ix. BHATTI KAVYA by BHATTI KAVI

x. RAGHUVAMSA by MAHAKAVI KALIDASA

xi.RAMA CHARITAMANAS by TULSIDAS

xii.YOGA VASISHTA by VALMIKI

 

Why Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam is considered as authentic?

Excerpts from talk at Venkateswara Mahima Conference at Pittsburgh

 

Swami Desika proceeds to illustrate in his "Abhaya Pradhaana Saaram" several

instances from Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam to show the efficacy of Saranagathi.

These instances show that Saranagathi not only ensures Moksha but is also

capable of conferring whatever one prays for. And, he takes us on a guided

tour of all the 7 Khandas of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana to substantiate this.

 

WHY HE CHOSE SRIMAD VALMIKI RAMAYANA?

It is believed that Brahma's son Narada initiated Maharishi Valmiki into the

story of Rama's Avatara. Brahma and Saraswati came on the scene and blessed

Valmiki with divine vision so he could witness all the happenings that took

place in camera or in public as between the different characters. They also

blessed that his words would reflect absolute truth without any tinge of

falsehood.

 

It may be noted that among Ramayanams, ONLY Srimad Valmiki Ramayana is

recognized as "ITIHASA" (along with Vyasa Bhagavan's Mahabharata).

 

The word "Itihasa" means "So it was" meaning that it is a factual

representation of 'events as they actually happened' -- while so many other

Ramayanas are NOT considered as Itihasas (obviously because they were all made

up by distorting the facts contained in the original).

 

This is also why Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam is considered an "Adhi Kaavyam" an

honorofic none other version can claim to qualify.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy