The Ramayana: Analysis of Setting
"The Ramayana: Analysis of Setting" explores the key geographical and mythical locations that shape the narrative of this ancient Indian epic. Central to the story is Ayodhya, a legendary kingdom believed to be rooted in historical reality, located in modern-day Uttar Pradesh. It is depicted as the birthplace of Prince Rama, the protagonist, who ultimately returns there as king with his wife, Sita. The narrative also highlights the significance of the forest, a mystical realm that serves as a transformative space for Rama, where he confronts challenges and learns from wise hermits like Visvamitra. This forest is a vital bridge between Ayodhya and the antagonist's realm, Lanka, which is often associated with the island of Sri Lanka. The conflict escalates as Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, kidnaps Sita, prompting Rama's quest to rescue her. The epic culminates in a dramatic confrontation in Lanka, ultimately leading to Rama's victory and his return to Ayodhya with Sita. The settings in "The Ramayana" are rich with symbolic meaning, reflecting themes of good versus evil, duty, and transformation within the context of Hindu mythology.
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Subject Terms
The Ramayana: Analysis of Setting
First transcribed:Rāmāyana, c. 350 b.c.e. (English translation, 1870-1874)
Type of work: Poetry
Type of plot: Epic
Time of work: Antiquity
Asterisk denotes entries on real places.
Places Discussed
*Ayodhya
*Ayodhya (ah-YOH-dyah). Mythical Indian kingdom that may be the same place as the historical ancient kingdom of Ayodhya, in the far north of India between the Ganges River and the Himalaya Mountains, in which is now India’s Uttar Pradesh state. Ayodhya is both the birthplace of the epic’s hero, Prince Rama, and the place to which he ultimately returns as king with his queen, Sita.
Forest
Forest. Wooded region between holy Ayodhya and its evil counterpart, Lanka, in which Rama undergoes his most important transformations. In Hindu mythology, forests are magical places that represent the nonhuman, supernatural world. They are typically home to wise hermits, as well as to wild animals. Rama leaves Ayodhya in response to a plea from the hermit Visvamitra, who is threatened by demons. Rama spends thirteen years in the forest, fighting demons and learning from Visvamitra. There he also meets King Janak and wins the hand of Janak’s half-divine daughter, Sita.
*Lanka
*Lanka. Mythical kingdom that may be the same as the island of Sri Lanka (Ceylon), which lies off the southern tip of India. The struggle between Ayodhya and Lanka begins in earnest when Lanka’s demon king, Ravana, kidnaps Sita. With the help of the monkey king Hanuman, the bear king Hambavan, and an army of monkeys, bears, and vultures, Rama finds Sita, invades, and conquers Lanka. Afterward, he returns to Ayodhya with Sita, where they become king and queen once more.
Bibliography
Narayan, R. K. The Ramayana. New York: Viking Press, 1972. Narayan has based his Ramayana on the Tamil poet Kamban’s version of the original. The easy-flowing prose of Narayan’s Ramayana makes for an enjoyable reading of the great epic for all age groups. His succinct epilogue refers to differences in the original Sanskrit version and the Tamil version.
Shaw, J. C. The Ramayana Through Western Eyes. Bangkok, Thailand: Distributed by D. K. Today, 1988. Shortened Thai version of the Ramayana with beautiful colored plates. The warfare and magic that appears in the original version has been excluded. Each chapter is introduced by excerpts from English poems.
Smith, H. Daniel, ed. The Picturebook Ramayana: An Illustrated Version of Vālmīki’s Story. Syracuse: Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, 1981. The basic plot of Rama’s story is explained in the summary preceding the illustrations, which are accompanied by verses from the Ramayana. Appropriate for college level as well as junior and senior high school students.
Venkatesananda, Swami. The Concise Ramayana of Vālmīki. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1988. This condensed version of the epic is divided into seven chapters that describe Rama’s life from his birth until his death. The simple narrative style of the book and appropriate chapter intervals make it very readable.
Vyas, Shantikumar Nanooram. India in the Ramayana Age. New Delhi: Atma Ram & Sons, 1967. Analyzes social and cultural conditions in ancient India as portrayed in Vālmīki’s Ramayana. Includes a chapter on the position of women during this time.