2023-02-19 12:13:42 by ambuda-bot
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INTRODUCTION
The Ramayana is a mirror of the highest
ideals of Hindu culture and civilisation.
Herein is described the ideal hero Sri
Ramachandra who is not only the exemplar
for all living and dutiful sons but who is also
the ideal husband and king. In Lakshmana,
we have an ideal brother, who shares the
fortunes of his eldest brother and Guru in
city and forest, in joy and distress. In
Ravana and Vali, we have two types, who
seem to prosper in the midst of their very
excesses but who reap their well-merited
retribution in due course. Sita is the
noblest flower of Indian womanhood,
devoted to her lord in thought, word and
deed, whether in her own palace or under
duress in an enemy's camp. There can be no
better text-book of morals which
can be
safely placed in the hands of youths to
inspire them to higher
and nobler ideals of
conduct and character.
The Ramayana is rightly named the
adi-kavya, the first poem. Not only is
it first-rate as a poetic composition but it is
also the first historically recorded specimen
of genuine classical Sanskrit poetry. Besides
4
INTRODUCTION
The Ramayana is a mirror of the highest
ideals of Hindu culture and civilisation.
Herein is described the ideal hero Sri
Ramachandra who is not only the exemplar
for all living and dutiful sons but who is also
the ideal husband and king. In Lakshmana,
we have an ideal brother, who shares the
fortunes of his eldest brother and Guru in
city and forest, in joy and distress. In
Ravana and Vali, we have two types, who
seem to prosper in the midst of their very
excesses but who reap their well-merited
retribution in due course. Sita is the
noblest flower of Indian womanhood,
devoted to her lord in thought, word and
deed, whether in her own palace or under
duress in an enemy's camp. There can be no
better text-book of morals which
can be
safely placed in the hands of youths to
inspire them to higher
and nobler ideals of
conduct and character.
The Ramayana is rightly named the
adi-kavya, the first poem. Not only is
it first-rate as a poetic composition but it is
also the first historically recorded specimen
of genuine classical Sanskrit poetry. Besides
4