About a thousand years ago in India, regional languages began to flourish, leading to the creation of modern Indian languages. The epic Ramayana emerged as a significant piece of literature, composed and adapted by various poets inspired by the original Valmiki Ramayana from over 2,000 years ago. Each poet added their own interpretation, yet all maintained the noble image of Ram, who is uniquely depicted as a king in Hinduism. When Western scholars approached the Ramayana, they applied their biases, which resulted in a critical view of Hindu deities, particularly Ram, whom they perceived as problematic within their frameworks of Christian ideals and social justice. This has led to a polarized discourse, where Ram is often defended by 'Right radicals' and criticized by 'Left liberals'. The narrative of Ram has universal conflicts that challenge notions of morality, fairness, and dignity in human relationships. Hinduism lacks a concept of Judgment Day or a judging God, yet leaders often impose judgments reminiscent of mythological archetypes. The text calls for a reevaluation of these perspectives, advocating for a worldview that transcends binary notions of good and evil, focusing instead on rules, choices, and the complexity of human experiences.

by Devdutt Pattanaik in English Mythological Stories

Writen by Devdutt Pattanaik

Category Mythological Stories