ADHYATMA RAMAYANA

A few the changes and innovations made, departing from the original may be noted here: The major alteration in the facts of the story is the introduction of a shadow Sita throughout the period of her abduction, the real Sita having disappeared into the fire just before the golden deer episode. She re-emerges from the fire at the end of the war when the shadow Sita enters into it. The whole drama is pre-planned and enacted at the bidding of Rama himself (vide 3.7). Other alterations though minor in nature, are: the earth accompanies the gods in the form of a cow (1.2); Sumitra gets more of the sacred pudding than Kausalya and Kaikeyi (1.3); Ahalya after being cursed by her husband, the sage Gautama, becomes a stone (1.5); Ravana treats Sita with the respect due to a mother (3.7.65); Rama establishes a Shiva Linga at the site of the bridge to Lanka (6.4.1-2).

Coming to additions to Valmiki’s story, five pauranic episodes need be mentioned: the stories about Valmiki himself (2.6), Suka (6.5) and Kalanemi (6.6) who warn Ravan about Rama’s divinity and the need to propitiate him, Vali and Sugriva (7.3). The dialogue between Ravana and Sanatkumara is another addition (7.3).

But the major contribution of the Adhyatma Ramayana lies in its casting of Rama in the role of a spiritual teacher and in the role of a spiritual teacher and in the several exquisite hymns sung in praise of Rama. There are four occasions when Rama assumes the role of the teacher gives philosophical disquisitions. In response to Lakshmana’s questions on three different occasions he teaches knowledge, devotion, detachment (vide 3.4), methods of worship (4.4) and the way of emancipation (7.5). In reply to Kausalya’s query, he teaches the three yogas of karma, jnana and bhakti (7.7).

The well-known Rama Gita is part of the Adhyatma Ramayana and is the teaching given to Lakshmana on the last occasion already referred to (7.5). It contains a rather strong dose of Advaita Vedanta though couched in beautiful poetry. As reagards the laudatory hymns, we find quite a good number of them: by Brahma (1.2;6.13). Kausalya (1.3), Narada (2.1), Valmiki (2.6), Jatayu (3.8), Vibhishana (6.6) and all the gods (6.15)

However the real contribution of this work is in its repeatedly propounding the doctrine that Rama is Brahman the Absolute and that Sita is his Mayashakti or Prakriti, thereby raising he personality of Rama to the highest level and providing a firm base to the cult of Rama. No occasion that gives a chance to do this is missed. Not only sages, gods and devotees, but even the enemies of Rama-not excepting Ravana himself! – recognise his divinity and divine mission. Their only duty is to cooperate in the cosmic play of the Divine and be blessed. This task has been admirably fulfilled by the book.

FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between Ramcharitmanas and Valmiki Ramayana?

In Valmiki's Ramayana, Rama was depicted as a human with exceptional conduct and virtues. Hence Rama was called Maryada Purushottam. In Ramcharitmanas, Rama was depicted as an avatar or an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The actions of Rama were described as the right way to establish Dharma in the world by removing evil.

Q2. How many parts are there in Adhyatma Ramayana?

The text consists of 7 books, 65 chapters or 4,500 verses. They are organised like a dialogue between Shiva and Parvati. The Adhyatma Ramayana provides the ideal traits of Rama as well as guidelines for devotion, wisdom, objectivity, admiration, and moral behavior.

Q3. Who wrote Adhyatma Ramayana in Sanskrit?

It is credited to Veda Vyasa. An old Sanskrit text called Adhyatma Ramayana extols the moral and spiritual lessons of the Ramayana. It has over 4200 verses, and is included in the Brahmanda Purana.

Q4. Who wrote Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu?

Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan, considered the father of Malayalam (a language commonly spoken in the Indian state of Kerala), wrote the famous Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu and Mahabharatham Kilippattu. He was a Malayalam devotional poet, translator and linguist from Kerala, south India. He was also one of the members of the Pracheena Kavithrayam.

Q5. Who is the writer of Ananda Ramayana?

The Ananda Ramayana is a namelessly authored Sanskrit manuscript from the 15th century. The text has received little consideration from scholars, though in some societies, it is considered a major source of information regarding Rama and his life.