...RAMAYANA The Supernatural Elements:- Every epic has got a supernatural element in it, which interfaces itself with the human element in the story. The supernatural element has been made use of in order to give more than ordinary importance to the action that takes place in the epic. In the Ramayana, the supernatural element plays a very important part in the action of the story. The nature of the supernatural beings that take part in the story and of the miraculous machines of destructions used by them as well as by the human heroes in their battles is discussed below: There are 2 classes of beings which belong to the category of the supernatural in the Ramayana. They are: 1. the raksasas and 2. the vanaras. 1. The Raksasas: The raksasas are beings of enormous power and size, and are known as premature (beyond what is nature) beings. Ravana has 10 heads, Trisivas has 3 heads. Some other raksasas and raksasas have heads of horses, wolves, jackals, lions, etc. By performing great and severe penance these raksasas had acquired great physical strength and many magical powers. They can bend the bow with such force that their arrows can break to pieces, the rocks thrown at them by their enemies. They can assume whatever shape they please. They can fly through the air with or without aerial chariots. In short, they posses all will powers and the qualities that are attributed to the Gods in the Greek mythology. The raksasas hate virtue and virtuous people and they love the...
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...Praise for the Shiva Trilogy ‘Amish’s mythical imagination mines the past and taps into the possibilities of the future. His book series, archetypal and stirring, unfolds the deepest recesses of the soul as well as our collective consciousness.’ – Deepak Chopra, world-renowned spiritual guru and bestselling author ‘Amish is a fresh new voice in Indian writing – steeped in myth and history, with a fine eye for detail and a compelling narrative style.’ – Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State in the Indian government and celebrated author ‘Furious action jumps off every page.’ – Anil Dharker, renowned journalist and author ‘Tripathi’s Shiva Trilogy is already being touted as India’s Lord of the Rings.’ – Hindustan Times ‘…Amish has mastered the art of gathering, interpreting and presenting India’s many myths, folklores and legends, and blending all of that into fast-paced thrillers that change your views about gods, cultures, histories, demons and heroes, forever.’ – Hi Blitz ‘Amish’s Shiva Trilogy has a refreshing storyline… The narration forces you to impatiently turn the page to know what secret is going to be revealed about the “Neelkanth” next.’ – The Telegraph ‘It’s a labour of love... Amish also humanizes his characters, something which most popular Indian writers fail miserably at.’ – Mint ‘Amish’s philosophy of tolerance, his understanding of mythology and his avowed admiration for Shiva are evident in his best-selling works.’ – Verve ‘Tripathi is...
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...The Ramayana is a great Indian epic that takes place around 1000 BCE, and tells the life of India during that time. Rama is the main character; he is the hero of the story. Growing up he was a prominent child, excelling in all aspects of his life. Once he became a grown man, he was a perfect husband to his wife Sita, as well as being one of the fiercest warriors in the land. He was looked up too and admired by the people in his kingdom. Being the brave hero that Rama is, he was able to rescue Sita from her kidnapper Ravana.1 He was also forced to kill Vali in a non-honorable way in order to rescue Sagreeva’s wife. I don’t believe he was justified in doing this, but he sure was forced to considering the circumstance. One day, Sita was captured by a demon called Ravana because he wanted to marry her. Rama was enraged so he put together a small army to go confront Ravana in his kingdom. They built a bridge across to Ravana’s kingdom of Lanka, and took Sita back and brought her back home safely. In order to take Sita back as his wife, Rama asked her to prove her purity to him and she was able to do so.2 During Ramas quest to rescue Sita, he met Sugreeva. He had just been exiled from his older brother Vali’s kingdom because of an incident that occurred between them. Sugreeva and Rama made an agreement that if Rama helps Sugreeva defeat Vali and place him in the king’s throne, then Sugreeva would help him on his quest...
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...Elements of dispute Inter-personal a. Vali and Sugriva: They had a dispute over the kingdom and Sugriva’s wife. Intra-personal a. Rama had an internal conflict on taking sides with Sugriva and killing Vali from behind b. Vali had an internal conflict between the love for his brother and anger against him c. Tara had an internal conflict over saving the kingdom after Vali’s death and taking sides with Sugriva Avert and Covert agenda Vali Vali had an overt agenda to retain the kingdom and to kill Sugriva. His covert agenda was to keep Sugriva’s wife with himself and also to show how powerful he was. Sugriva Sugriva had an overt agenda to become the king and to take his wife back from Vali. He also wanted to let the world know that Vali’s accusations were not true. He had a covert agenda to marry Tara. Ram Ram’s overt agenda was to gather Sugriva’s help in his quest for Sita and to show the world that he helps the weaker ones. He had a covert agenda to warn Raavan by killing the Vali, who was the only one to have defeated Raavan. Tara Tara had an overt agenda of saving Vali and the kingdom. After the death of Vali, she decided to save the kingdom and considered her own safety. She had a covert agenda to become the next queen and to make her son the next heir to the throne. Handling of disputes by principal characters Tara, Ram and Sugriva were good in handling disputes. Tara always took the situation at place and acted accordingly. Ram did get what he wanted and...
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...I am fond of reading books. I have read a good number of novels, dramas, short stories and poems. Some books merely give enjoyment. There are others which leave a deeper impression on the mind. Some books infuse the spirit of nationalism in the reader. But I have not come across a single book so far, which is so good as the Ramcharitra Manas of Tulsi Das. Sri Goswami Tulsi Das Ji is the writer of this great epic. Every Indian has read or heard the story of Ram and Sita. The popular story has been narrated in this book in the most beautiful way. The language of the book is avadhi. We are told in it first the reasons for the birth of lord Rama. On the insistence of various gods and goddesses. He came on the earth in the form of a human being to relieve the pain and suffering of the virtuous. This book is divided into various parts. Every part deals with a particular aspect of life or performance of Lord Rama. Every Indian likes to hear the famous story of Ramcharitra Manas. Some have great faith in it. But my reasons for liking it are quite different. I have found in it, religious, political and social wisdom. It enlightens as well entertains. Indeed, it is a true treasure-house of rare wisdom. I will give here only some of the reasons which have made this book my favourite. In Hindi Literature it stands at the top. Tulsi Dass Ji has treated all the 'Ras' in it. This is simple. The beauty lies in the fact, that he has not crossed the limit at any stage. The 'Shringar Ras'...
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...HISTORY PROJECT Islam came to India with Turks. The interaction that took place between Turks and Indians resulted in the development of a syncretic culture. Mutual understanding and assimilation of each other’s culture took place in all fields. This process of assimilation saw lots of ups and downs. The new rulers built palaces and places of worship. Arabs borrowed the principles of arch and dome from Rome through the Byzantine Empire and adopted them. The use of arch and dome was seen in the new structures as they helped in the construction of lofty and impressive buildings. Now large halls could be constructed with a clear view. A fine quality mortar was another technique put to use in these structures. Decoration of buildings was done with geometrical and floral designs, combining them with panels of inscriptions of verses from the Quran. The combination of floral and geometrical designs with verses from Quran was called Arabesque. Earlier motifs like the bell motif, swastika, lotus etc. were also a part of the decoration. Animal and human figures were not used because it was considered unIslamic. Red sandstone, yellow sandstone or marble was used in constructing these buildings. Qutab minar was an amalgam of local features and new techniques, was constructed by Iltutmish. It is said that he dedicated this mosque to the Sufi saint, Qutab-ud-din Bhaktiyar kaki. Guru Nanak was born in a Khatri household at Talwandi on the bank of river Ravi. He was an accountant. He composed...
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