PREFACE | INTRODUCTION | ABOUT THE RAMAYANA | THE IDEOLOGY OF MAHARISHI VALMIKI’S RAMAYANA | THE ASHRAM | VALMIKI WEDDING | FESTIVALS | ARTI | ARDAS |

THE IDEOLOGY OF MAHARISHI VALMIK’S RAMAYANA

Valmikis – believe that there is only one God, called Maharishi Valmik. First and foremost it is vitally important to realize that Rishi Valmik did not believe in the caste system and thought that all human beings were equal in the sight of God.

Maharishi Valmiks Ramayana is not just a story but illustrated several ideals of human behaviour. The Ramayana is a scripture in it’s own right and gives answer to all human problems. The essence of the Ramayana is depicted in a number of characters.

Rama is the ideal King. He puts his duty to the people of his Kingdom before his responsibility to his family. Sita is the ideal wife. No matter how dangers she faces, she remains faithful to her husband.

Lakshmana is the ideal brother. He Supports his elder brother without questions, even at great loss to himself.  

Hanuman is the most loyal of followers. Rishi Valmiks Ramayana teaches the importance of duty and obedience. If Lakshmana had obeyed Rama and stayed with Sita, she would not have been captured. If Sita had obeyed Lakshmana and stayed in the house, she would have been safe. Evil in the form of Ravana can have no power over those who are dutiful, faithful and obedient.

Rishi Valmiks Ramayana although written thousands of years ago has come to epitomize the concept of moral rectitude, and it’s consequences for a person’s fate in the shape of :-

1.      DHARMA : This is the path of duty or right action and is the fulfillment of one’s domestic responsibilities attached to one’s role in life; it would seem that only if this is carried out mindfully and with dedication can it be effective.

2.      KARMA : This is the theory, which concludes that there are equal and opposite reactions for every action or that as you sow, so shall you reap.

For Valmikis respect for the animal Kingdom is as important as respect for one’s fellow human-being, for Rishi Valmiks Ramayana taught the importance of man’s kinship with his animal Kingdom as characterized by Hanuman a warrior from the monkey tribe. Furthermore, in his desire to see that all forms of animal life are respected and conserved, E.Hoftetter on the basis of the story of the Kraunch bird sees Rishi Valmik as a Lord of Animals (Der Herr der Tiere im Alten Indien (Freiburger Bietrge Zur Indologie 14). Wiesbaden 1980, pp. 97-9).

Answer to Valmiki Critics