Ramayanam -27 Symbolism of Ramayana

8/15/08

 

When we compare the Ramayana story and our life, there are many interesting similarities. As Gandhiji put it, man's mind is a constant battle field where a constant war is going on between the good and evil.

 

Dasharatha, King of Ayodhya is one who is in control of the five karmendriyaas and five njaanedriyaas-ten senses. His three wives Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumithra represents Devotion, Attachment and Detachment respectively. Rama represents wisdom or Paramaathma, Bharatha discrimination, Lakshmana renunciation and Sathrughna represents thought.

 

We can see that Attachment can make one a slave and silence even a person who has control over the senses. This has to be viewed in two ways: 1. Kaikeyi's attachment to her son prompted her to ask the boon. 2. Dasharatha's attachement to Kaikeyi and Raama made him miserable.

 

Vasishta represents Vedic knowledge. Viswamithra is "friend of the universe". Tataka stands for anger-lust combined. Maaricha and Subaahu are temptations.

 

Even though Viswamithra was the friend of the Universe, he could not win over lust and temptations with out the help of wisdom and renunciation.

 

Siva's bow stands for pride and Sita stands for devotion or jeevatma. Parashuraama represents Ego.

 

When you destroy the pride and dismiss the ego, the result is the union of jeevatma(Sita) and Paramaathma (Rama)

 

Tamasa River is river of Brahma vidya. Thriveni samgamam (Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi rivers) symbolically represent the naadis Ida, Pingala and Sushumna.

 

Chitrakoot represents reasoning and undestanding. Athri maharshi stands for Truth and Anasuya is the embodiment of loyalty.

 

Panchavati is the abode of five sense organs. Shurpanakha represents desire. Khara and Dushana are pride and evil

 

 Dashamukha or Ravana is one with ten heads attached to the world through all senses. He is attachment personified.  Jatayu is an embodiment of peace. Sugreeva is action personified and Hanuman stands for self discipline and devotion.

 

Surasa, Simhika and Lanka lakshmi represents Satwa, raja and Tamo gunaas. Kummbhakarna stands for pride.

 

We can see that Raama the embodiment of wisdom or Paramaatma , with Lakshmana (renunciation), Sugreeva (action) and Hanuman (self discipline and devotion) conquers Ravana (attachment) and gives salvation to Jeevaatma ( Sita).

 

(This write up is based mainly on Shri Njaananda Saraswathi's and Chinmayaanandaji's interpretations.)

 

An addendum on Independence day:

 

Since it is our Independence Day, I thought it is relevant to remember what Lord Raama said about the Janmabhoomi. Even though a lot of us are living outside India for several years, remembering our mother land with love and respect brings tears into our eyes. Let us all do a very sincere pranaamam to our Janani.

 

Api swarnamayi Lanka na mae Lakshmana rochathe
Janani janmabhoomischa swargaadapi gareeyasi

അപി സ്വർണമയീ ലങ്ക ന മേ ലക്ഷ്മണ രോചതേ 

ജനനീ  ജന്മഭൂമിശ്ച സ്വർഗ്ഗാദപി ഗരീയസി

O Lakshmana! though Lanka is decked with God, I am not attractecd to it or I do not feel any liking towards Lanka. Mother and motherland are greater than even heaven.

 

This verse from Valmiki Raamaayna is told by Lord Raama to Lakshmana and Vibheeshana. After the death of Raavana, Vibheeshana asks Raama to take over Lanka and stay back in the rich, gold studded kingdom of Lanka. Lakshmana aslo supported the idea of Vibheeshana. Then Raama said the above verse.

 

After living in U.S. for more than 25 years, I am not sure whether I am eligible to quote the above verse. But since this is the Raamaayana maasa, I feel I should mention this verse to make our ayanam or journey with Raama more meanigful.