The Ramayan

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The Ramayan is the 'adikavyam' - the world's first poem. Its timeless messages have moved and moulded, engrossed and enlightened, intrigued and inspired mankind for thousands of years.

It provides genuine answers to our world's conflicts and problems through the ideals portrayed by Dashrath's love for Ram, Sita's fidelity, Lakshman's dedication, Bharat's respect, Sugriv's friendship, Hanuman's servitude, and Ram's obedience to his father, love for his citizens, courage to destroy evil and fine statesmanship in establishing Ram Rajya.

The Ramayan is a superbly illustrated, clear and concise narration that will appeal to youngsters and their parents eager to learn the essential elements of one of India's greatest epics.

The Ramayan is one of the most popular and widely studied epics of Hinduism. Many versions of the Ramayan have become popular throughout the world. The paintings and stories presented in this publication are based on the original Valmiki, Tulsi, Girdharkrut texts and other popular translations.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the spiritual lineage of God-realized Sadhus in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya have also enthusiastically promoted the inspiring ideals of the Ramayan.

This publication, inspired by His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, is a very brief account of the Ramayan, incorporating its major stories and highlighting its salient messages. At the end, a selection of Bhagwan Swaminarayan's references to the Ramayan in the Vachanamrut a collection of Bhagwan Swaminarayan's spiritual discourses has also been included, to illustrate how the Ramayan's messages can be applied in practical spiritual life.

We hope that children and teenagers everywhere will be inspired by the teachings of the Ramayan and will be motivated to study it in greater depth.

We thank Vasudeo Kamath for the 26 excellent watercolour paintings, Sadhu Amrutvijaydas for the script and Sadhu Shrijiswarupdas for the book design and layout.

The Ramayan is the oldest poem in the world. It was composed in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit by the great Sage Valmiki.

This epic poem consists of 24,000 shloks or verses divided into 500 chapters, which are arranged into seven Kands (sections): Bal, Ayodhya, Aranya, Kishkindha, Sundar, Yuddh and Uttar.

The Ramayan is the true story of Bhagwan Shri Ram, son of King Dashrath of Ayodhya. Although his actions are like those of an ordinary man, Ram was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. From birth, Ram was endowed with godly virtues. He lived by the injunctions of the shastras, sacrificing his personal happiness for the good of his subjects, and so was known as Maryada Purushottam. Ram lived for 14 years in the forest to fulfil his father's promise and uphold his honour. During this time his wife, Sita, was kidnapped by the demon, Ravan. Ram, with the help of Hanuman, Sugriv, Jambuvan and other monkeys and bears, defeated Ravan and rescued Sita. This grand story of the victory of good over evil is a thrilling and moving story which describes the different shades of human emotions and instincts.

The Ramayan depicts the character and virtues of an ideal husband, wife, parent, child, brother, sister and a friend. Its message of morality inspires both young and old to develop a lofty and sublime character that will bring peace to them, their families, the society and the world.

The universal appeal of the Ramayan is illustrated by its widespread acceptance in many countries, where its teachings are studied and practised. Its timeless messages have inspired many great works of art, dance, drama, music and literature throughout the ages.

A small publication like this can only serve to whet one's appetite for a more detailed study of this truly remarkable and enlightening epic poem.