Hindu Scriptures Part 5: The Itihasas

Hindu Scriptures Part 5: The Itihasas

In Part Five we will focus on the Itihasa category of Hindu Scriptures.

There are four books under this heading: The Valmiki-Ramayana (and now Tulsidasa Ramayana or Sri Ramacharitamanas), the Yogavasishtha, The Mahabharata and the Harivamsa. These embody all that is in the Vedas, but only in a simpler manner. These are called the Suhrit-Samhitas or the Friendly Treatises, while the Vedas are called the Prabhu-Samhitas or the Authoritative Treatises. These works explain the great universal truths in the form of historical narratives, stories and dialogues. These are very interesting volumes and are liked by all, from the inquisitive child to the intellectual scholar.

The Itihasas give us beautiful stories of absorbing interest and importance, through which all the fundamental teachings of Hinduism are indelibly impressed on one’s mind. The laws of Smritis and the principles of the Vedas are stamped firmly on the minds of the Hindus through the noble and marvellous deeds of their great national heroes. We get a clear idea of Hinduism from these sublime stories.

The common man cannot comprehend the high abstract philosophy of the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras. Hence, the compassionate sages Valmiki and Vyasa wrote the Itihasas for the benefit of common people. The same philosophy is presented with analogies and parables in a tasteful form to the common run of mankind.

The two well-known Itihasas (histories) are the epics (Mahakavyas), Ramayana and Mahabharata. They are two very popular and useful Shastras of the Hindus. The Ramayana was written by the Sage Valmiki, and the Mahabharata by Vyasa.

The Ramayana

The Ramayana, the Adi-Kavya or the first epic poem, relates the story of Sri Rama, the ideal man. It is the history of the family of the solar race descended from Ikshvaku, in which was born Sri Ramachandra, the Avatara of Lord Vishnu, and his three brothers. The ideal characters like Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata and Sri Hanuman that we find in Ramayana firmly establish Hindu Dharma in our minds. The story of the birth of Rama and his brothers, their education and marriages, the exile of Sri Rama, the carrying off and recovery of Sita, his wife, the destruction of Ravana, the Rakshasa King of Lanka, and the reign of Sri Rama, are described in detail in Ramayana. How a man should behave towards his superiors, equals and inferiors, how a king ought to rule his kingdom, how a man should lead his life in this world, how he can obtain his release, freedom and perfection, may be learnt from this excellent epic. The Ramayana gives a vivid picture of Indian life. Even today our domestic, social and national ideals are copied from the noble characters in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The great national heroes stand even today as beacon-lights to guide and inspire the people of the whole world. The lives of Rama, Bharata and Lakshmana provide a model of fraternal affection and mutual service. Sri Hanuman stands as an ideal unique Karma Yogin. The life of Sita is regarded as the most perfect example of womanly fidelity, chastity and sweetness. The Ramayana is written in twenty-four thousand verses by Sri Valmiki.

Other Sanskrit versions of the Ramayana include the Pratima and Abhisheka Raamayana by the poet Bhasa, the Raghuvansha by Kaalidasa, and the Mahaaveera-Charita and Uttara Raama- Charita by Bhavabooti.

In the passage of time several other versions of the Raamayana were written in different languages by different poets. They all extolled the life of Raama with changes in the plot. Some changes are major. These versions include Krittivaasee Raamayana (Bengali), Kamban Raamayana (Tamil), Rangnaath and Bhaaskar Raamayana (Telugu), and Bhaavaarth Raamayana (Marathi).

The latest version of the Ramayana came in the 16^th century. It is well known as the Ramacharitamanasa composed by Goswami Tulsidasa in Awadhi. It is also called the Tulsidasa Ramayana. Tulsidasa wrote this epic poem at a time when Hinduism was at its lowest. Tulsidasa saw the decadence of the Sanatanee culture; fights amongst various Hindu sects fueled by conquests and invasions into India; and people most needed of rejuvenation of the mighty Sanatanee culture. In the midst of such circumstances, he penned the most inspiring and soul uplifting story of Lord Raama.

We find in the Ramacharitamanasa a synthesis of the great paths of Karma, Bhakti and Jnana—action, devotion and knowledge. Lord Raam becomes the personified object of all the schools of Vedanta and truly as a work of amazement in precise conformity of the Sanaatan view of Divinity, Tulsidasji presented the unity of Shaivanism, Vaishnavanism and Shaktism effortlessly.

The Raamacharitamaanasa consists of seven main chapters and an appendix chapter namely:

1. Balkand
2. Ayodhyakand
3. Aranyakand
4. Kiskindakand
5. Sundarkand
6. Lankakand
7. Utarakand
8. Laukushkand

Source: All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda