What's Ramayana called in other Countries?

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RAMAYANA FROM A THAI PERSPECTIVE

For most people who have read the Ramakian, or Ramayana, as it is

known around the world, it is the character of Hanuman who is most

easily remembered and identified with.

 

What do other countries call Ramakian?

 

India = Ramayana

Cambodia = Ramaker

Laos = Phra Lak Phra Ram

Malaysia = Wyang Kulit

Indonesia = Wayuang Kulit and the Wayang Purwa

 

The Ramakian — An Epic Tale

King Dasaratha of Ayodha chooses his son Rama as his heir. His wife

Kaikeyi asks that he appoint another son Bharata, instead. Kaikeyi

feels misfortune will come upon her if he doesn't crown Bharata king

and send Rama away from the palace. The king reluctantly agrees, so

Rama goes with his beautiful wife, Sida, 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 refuses her advances and Laksmana wounds her.

She flees to her brother Ravana, ruler of the island kingdom of

Lanka. After hearing Surpanakha's report of the beauty of Sida,

Ravana decides that he must have Sida and changes himself into a

wandering holy man to find her in the forest. When Rama and Laksmana

are distracted, Ravana carries Sida off to Lanka.

 

Rama and Laksmana ask Hanuman, the monkey king, to help them find

her. Hanuman, able to make himself larger or smaller, starts his

search for Sida by taking a giant step to the island of Lanka.

Carrying Rama's ring he finds Sida and identifies himself as Rama's

messenger. Sida is delighted, but Hanuman is caught and Ravana sets

Hanuman's tail on fire. Hanuman escapes and sets fire to Lanka. Sida

is rescued by the hero monkey king and returned to King Rama.

 

Hanuman Around The World

In Thailand, Hanuman is known as the leader of the great monkey army

of King Phra Ram. In China, he is known as Shun Wu Kong, the Wind

Monkey. In India, paintings of him standing respectfully before Rama,

Laksmana and Sida, tell the whole story of the Ramakian. He is

portrayed as wise, faithful, heroic and indeed saintly. Most Hindus

pray to Hanuman to achieve something that they want like passing an

exam or getting a job. In South-east Asia, he represents the free

aspects of life. Many people are attracted to his great courage and,

in some cases, his sex appeal but in general he is not given the

godly status locally that he has in India.

 

Hanuman Character

Sage Valmiki who wrote the Ramakian, provides a detailed description:

Hanuman swells his body, shakes his body hair, roars loudly, whirls

his tail, contracts his waist, and just before leaping off the

mountain, sinks down, draws in his arms and neck, flattens his ears,

and fills himself with concentrated power and energy focused on the

lower part of his body. He scans the sky in order to see a clear path

for himself, arrests the vital air in his heart, and leaps. He is the

son of Vayu, God of the wind and Punjikasthala, a goddess who had

powers that allowed her to change form. One day while disguised as a

beautiful human woman Vayu saw her and fell in love. She resisted his

advances until he promised that their child would be as brave,

intelligent and swift as himself.

 

Good Student

Hanuman grew up in his mother's care and saw very little of his

powerful father. As a young boy he was taught by Surya, the Sun God,

who took the young Hanuman around the universe as he performed his

own duties. Hanuman learned quickly and was a good student who

developed many fine qualities.

 

Quality Inside

Later in life, when Hanuman faced great foes in battle, he remained

always a gentleman, respectful of the codes of warfare. For example,

in the final battle with Ravana, Hanuman was struck by Ravana. He

retaliated with a blow of his own. Ravana withstood the blow but felt

the impact so much that he said to Hanuman "You are a worthy enemy."

Hanuman replied, "I do not care for your compliments. I'm ashamed

that after my blow you're still alive." Ravana struck a second time,

rendering Hanuman unconscious and then attacked Nila, another monkey

warrior. Hanuman regained consciousness but did not interfere, as it

was proper in Vedic warrior code to not interrupt someone else's

battle. As well as being a perfect gentleman-warrior he is sensitive

and kind — it is these qualities that make him such a memorable

character.

 

 

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Ramakian Themes

The universal themes and ideals in the Indian Ramayana have long

appealed to the diverse cultures of Asia and Southeast Asia. The

story has, however, been interpreted differently depending on the

culture, politics and religions of each country.

 

The epic themes and ideals of righteous behaviour, loyalty to family

and kingdom, the balancing of good and evil, self-sacrifice for the

betterment of society, morality, role of family, the relationship

between father and son, brother and brother, friend and friend and

wife to husband provide a global appeal, but also provide an

opportunity for expression of local cultural identity.

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