Dear Bhagavatas: In continuation of my posting on the subject, I present below some of the versions of Ramayanam (from Chapter 3 of my book "Hinduism Rediscovered") archived in SDDS Volumes at www.geocities.com/~elayavalli/sgati and why Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam is considered as authentic (from my talk at the Venkateswara Mahima Conference at Pittsburgh) Dasoham Anbil Ramaswamy Excerpts from "Chapter 3 Sources of Knowledge" The RAMAYANA has been translated into several all India languages and in various foreign languages. It has been adapted by different poets and authors who were inspired by its lofty ideals. A few of the more well known works are as follows: i. ANANDA RAMAYANAM : Supposedly by Parameswara himself. ii. ADYATMA RAMAYANAM by VISVAMITRA iii.ADBUTA RAMAYANAM by VALMIKI himself iv.AGANIVESYA RAMAYANAM by an unknown author v.JAINA RAMAYANAM by HEMA CHANDRA vi. KAMBA RAMAYANAM by Tamil Poet KAMBAR vii. MANTRA RAMAYANAM by LAKSHMANA ARYA viii. SANGRAHA RAMAYANAM by NARAYANA PANDITHA ix. BHATTI KAVYA by BHATTI KAVI x. RAGHUVAMSA by MAHAKAVI KALIDASA xi.RAMA CHARITAMANAS by TULSIDAS xii.YOGA VASISHTA by VALMIKI Why Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam is considered as authentic? Excerpts from talk at Venkateswara Mahima Conference at Pittsburgh Swami Desika proceeds to illustrate in his "Abhaya Pradhaana Saaram" several instances from Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam to show the efficacy of Saranagathi. These instances show that Saranagathi not only ensures Moksha but is also capable of conferring whatever one prays for. And, he takes us on a guided tour of all the 7 Khandas of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana to substantiate this. WHY HE CHOSE SRIMAD VALMIKI RAMAYANA? It is believed that Brahma's son Narada initiated Maharishi Valmiki into the story of Rama's Avatara. Brahma and Saraswati came on the scene and blessed Valmiki with divine vision so he could witness all the happenings that took place in camera or in public as between the different characters. They also blessed that his words would reflect absolute truth without any tinge of falsehood. It may be noted that among Ramayanams, ONLY Srimad Valmiki Ramayana is recognized as "ITIHASA" (along with Vyasa Bhagavan's Mahabharata). The word "Itihasa" means "So it was" meaning that it is a factual representation of 'events as they actually happened' -- while so many other Ramayanas are NOT considered as Itihasas (obviously because they were all made up by distorting the facts contained in the original). This is also why Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam is considered an "Adhi Kaavyam" an honorofic none other version can claim to qualify. Dasoham Anbil Ramaswamy
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia |
oppiliappan-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To subscribe to the list |