The Ramayan is ascribed to a single author, Vālmiki. Its exact date of creation is unknown, and is estimated to lie between the 4th and 2nd century B.C.E. "The Cultural Heritage of India", Vol. IV, "The Religions", The Rāmakrishna Mission, Institute of Culture, says: "The first and the last Books of the Rāmāyana are later additions. The bulk, consisting of Books II--VI, represents Rāma as an ideal hero. In Books I and VII, however Rāma is made an avatara or incarnation of Vishnu, and the epic poem is transformed into a Vaishnav text. The reference to the Greeks, Parthians, and Sakas show that these Books cannot be earl ...

See also:

Ramayana, Ramayana - Timeline, Ramayana - Synopsis, Ramayana - Book I: Bal Kand or The Book of Youth, Ramayana - Book II: Ayodhya Kanda or The Book of Ayodhya, Ramayana - Book III: Aranya Kanda or The Book of the Forest, Ramayana - Book IV: Kishkindha Kanda or The Book of Kishkindha the kingdom of monkeys, Ramayana - Book V: Sundara Kanda or The Book of Sundara another name of Hanuman, Ramayana - Book VI: Yuddha Kanda or The Book of War, Ramayana - Book VII: Uttara Kanda or The Book Beyond, Ramayana - Lessons from the Ramayana, Ramayana - Literary works inspired by the Ramayana, Ramayana - Sugriva's cave of Hampi

Read more here: » Ramayana: Encyclopedia II - Ramayana - Timeline

Valmiki's Ramayana inspired the Sri Ramacharit Manas by Tulasidas, an epic Hindi version with a slant more grounded in a different realm of Hindu literature, that of bhakti. It is an acknowledged masterpiece of India. A similar work was done by Kamban as Kambaramayanam in Tamil. More modern ones include Shri Ramayana Darshanam by Dr.K.V.Puttappa in Kannada and Ramayana Kalpavrikshamu by Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu, both of which have been awarded the Jnanpith Award. The modern Indian author Ashok Banker has so far wr ...

See also:

Ramayana, Ramayana - Timeline, Ramayana - Synopsis, Ramayana - Book I: Bal Kand or The Book of Youth, Ramayana - Book II: Ayodhya Kanda or The Book of Ayodhya, Ramayana - Book III: Aranya Kanda or The Book of the Forest, Ramayana - Book IV: Kishkindha Kanda or The Book of Kishkindha the kingdom of monkeys, Ramayana - Book V: Sundara Kanda or The Book of Sundara another name of Hanuman, Ramayana - Book VI: Yuddha Kanda or The Book of War, Ramayana - Book VII: Uttara Kanda or The Book Beyond, Ramayana - Lessons from the Ramayana, Ramayana - Literary works inspired by the Ramayana, Ramayana - Sugriva's cave of Hampie

Read more here: » Ramayana: Encyclopedia II - Ramayana - Literary works inspired by the Ramayana

The Ramayan is ascribed to a single author, Vālmiki. Its exact date of creation is unknown, and is estimated to lie between the 4th and 2nd century B.C.E. "The Cultural Heritage of India", Vol. IV, "The Religions", The Rāmakrishna Mission, Institute of Culture, says: "The first and the last Books of the Rāmāyana are later additions. The bulk, consisting of Books II--VI, represents Rāma as an ideal hero. In Books I and VII, however Rāma is made an avatara or incarnation of Vishnu, and the epic poem is transformed into a Vaishnav text. The reference to the Greeks, Parthians, and Sakas show that these Books cannot be earl ...

See also:

Ramayana, Ramayana - Timeline, Ramayana - Synopsis, Ramayana - Book I: Bal Kand or The Book of Youth, Ramayana - Book II: Ayodhya Kanda or The Book of Ayodhya, Ramayana - Book III: Aranya Kanda or The Book of the Forest, Ramayana - Book IV: Kishkindha Kanda or The Book of Kishkindha the kingdom of monkeys, Ramayana - Book V: Sundara Kanda or The Book of Sundara another name of Hanuman, Ramayana - Book VI: Yuddha Kanda or The Book of War, Ramayana - Book VII: Uttara Kanda or The Book Beyond, Ramayana - Lessons from the Ramayana, Ramayana - Literary works inspired by the Ramayana, Ramayana - Sugriva's cave of Hampie

Read more here: » Ramayana: Encyclopedia II - Ramayana - Timeline

Dussera, the day of Rama's victory over Ravana, and Diwali, his return to Ayodhya are the biggest festivals of the year in India. The Ramayana was created into a major epic television series in India in the late 1980s, and was tirelessly watched by hundreds of millions of people across the country, even though television sets were scarce. ...

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Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - Modern Portrayal in India

The name was originally an epitheton of the night, from a root ram "to stop, stay, rest, abide"; hence a meaning of "black, dark-coloured" in the Atharvaveda. Two Ramas are mentioned in the Vedas, with the patronymics Mārgaveya and Aupatasvini; another Rama with the patronymic Jāmadagnya is the supposed author of Rigveda 10.110. According to Monier-Williams, three Ramas were celebrated in post-Vedic times, parashu-rāma ("Battle-axe-Rama"), the 6th Avatar of Vishnu, sometimes also referred to ...

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Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - Origins

Rama is born in the city of Ayodhya, which is the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala. The city and the area are located in the central region of the modern state of Uttar Pradesh in India. King Dasaratha performs a putrakami yajna, a sacrifice to obtain offspring by pleasing the Gods. He gives the sacred, sacrificial nectar to his three wives according to their seniority: Kousalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. Rama is born the eldest son of Kousalya and Dasaratha. He is the prince of the Suryavanshi (Sun Dynasty) House of Ikshvaku, descendant of great mon ...

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Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - Prince of Ayodhya

Upon his birth, only a few highly learned and experienced sages know of his true identity as the Avatara of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. Amongst them are Vasishta and Vishwamitra. Neither his parents, nor his brothers or any of the people of Kosala know who his true identity. Rama is born with a blueish skin color and effulgence, which denotes divinity. Throughout the course of his life, Rama does not himself know of his true origin and mission. Despite his exceptional prowess as a warrior, he does not realize hi ...

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Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - The Avatara

When Rama is around 14-15 years old, he and his brother Lakshmana are taken by Vishwamitra to the forests, with the purpose of killing rakshasas who are wrecking the tapasya and sacrifices of brahmins. Rama and Lakshmana are taught the advanced military arts and given the knowledge of all celestial weapons by Vishwamitra. Rama proceeds to slay Tataka, a cursed demoness. When asked to slay the yaksha demon, Rama demurrs, considering it sinful to kill a woman. But Vishwamitra explains to him that evil has no gender. The killing of Tatak ...

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Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - With Vishwamitra

Sita Devi is the Avatara of the Goddess Lakshmi, who is the eternal consort and female form of Vishnu. Just as Rama is the manifestation of perfect manhood, Sita idealizes the Perfect Woman through her performance of her duties to religion, as a wife to her husband and as a mother to her children, and collectively as a woman in human society. Sita is the adopted daughter of king Janaka, and the daught ...

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Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - Marriage to Sita

After Rama weds Sita and the entire royal family and the Ayodhya army begin their journey back, the great rishi Parashurama Bhargava appears before them, having descended from his mountainous hermitage. Parashurama is an extremely powerful rishi, responsible for killing all of the world's warriors and kings 21 times. He was formerly the sixth Avatara of Vishnu, and finds it unbelievable that anybody could break the bow of Siva. Considering himself to still be the most powerful warrior-rishi on earth, he brings with them the bow of Vishnu, and intends to challenge Rama to prove his strength by stringing it, and then fighting a ...

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Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - Rama's Arrow

Rama is asked to help and protect the rishis of the forest who were being terrorized by Khara, a powerful half-brother of Ravana, who had been assigned to rule this area by Ravana. Khara and his demonic legions would kill rishis, disrupt their sacrifices, undertake sinful activities, and oppress the people. According to the Valmiki Ramayana, an area of the forest was under Surpanaka, sister of Ravana, and he was passing by Panchawati. She witnesses Rama, Sita and Lakshmana passing, and tries to flatter and seduce Rama. Rama tel ...

See also:

Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - The Destruction of Khara

Surpanaka goes to Lanka, and tells the whole story to Ravana. She suggests that he kidnap Sita and marry her, so that Rama would be insulted and devastated. Ravana convinces Maricha, one of the mayawi rakshasas, possessors of mystic powers. He tells him to convert himself to a golden deer and go near Panchwati so that Sita will be attracted to it. And the same happens. Sita asks Rama to bring him. Rama chases the deer, but sensing mischief, that the deer is simply a decoy for some evil purpose, fires an arrow at it and M ...

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Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita

Invested as King of Ayodhya and Kosala, Rama begins a 10,000 year reign that is known as Rama Rajya, which is considered to be the time when God, as the most Perfect Man ruled the earth, and evil was extinguished from the hearts of all men and women. This most perfect period is described as extremely prosperous and peaceful, with all its people adhering to religious virtues and duties, and where crime, injustice and suffering were non-existent. Rama also performs the ashwamedha sacrifice 1,000 times to establish h ...

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Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - Rama Rajya

Rama is asked to help and protect the rishis of the forest who were being terrorized by Khara, a powerful half-brother of Ravana, who had been assigned to rule this area by Ravana. Khara and his demonic legions would kill rishis, disrupt their sacrifices, undertake sinful activities, and oppress the people. According to the Valmiki Ramayana, an area of the forest was under Surpanaka, sister of Ravana, and She was passing by Panchawati. She witnesses Rama, Sita and Lakshmana passing, and tries to flatter and seduce Rama. Rama te ...

See also:

Rama, Rama - Origins, Rama - Prince of Ayodhya, Rama - The Avatara, Rama - With Vishwamitra, Rama - Marriage to Sita, Rama - Rama's Arrow, Rama - Banishment to the Forest, Rama - The Destruction of Khara, Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita, Rama - In Kishkindya, Rama - The War, Rama - Rama Rajya, Rama - Uttara Kanda, Rama - Sita's banishment, Rama - In History and Mythology, Rama - Modern Portrayal in India, Rama - Symbolism of Rama, Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

Read more here: » Rama: Encyclopedia II - Rama - The Destruction of Khara

Vodhu (Sanskrit) The sixth of the seven kumaras as enumerated in the Uttara-kanda of the Padma-Purana. The seven are Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, Sanat-kumara, Jata, Vodhu, and Pancha-sikha.

(See also: Vodhu, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Marisha (Sanskrit). The daughter of the Sage Kanda and Pramlocha, the Apsara-demon from Indra’s heaven. She was the mother of Daksha. An allegory referring to the Mystery of the Second and Third human Races.

(See also: Marisha, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

The Yamanote Line originated in 1885 with the construction of the Shinagawa line between Shinagawa and Akabane, bypassing the then built up areas and providing the first north-south rail link through Tokyo. The top part of the loop between Ikebukuro and Tabata was completed in 1903 (known as the Toshima line, 豊島線) and in 1909 following electrification both lines were merged to become the Yamanote Line. The complete loop was only completed in 1925 with the opening of the section of track between Kanda and Ueno, providing a north- ...

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Yamanote Line, Yamanote Line - Service, Yamanote Line - History, Yamanote Line - Name, Yamanote Line - Trains, Yamanote Line - Stations

Read more here: » Yamanote Line: Encyclopedia II - Yamanote Line - History

Five special wards surround Nakano: Shinjuku, Suginami, Nerima, Shibuya, and Toshima. It lies just west of the bustling Shinjuku area. Rivers include the Kanda, Myosho-ji and Zenpuku-ji Rivers, and the Aratama Waterway. ...

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Nakano Tokyo, Nakano Tokyo - Geography, Nakano Tokyo - History, Nakano Tokyo - Places, Nakano Tokyo - Famous people, Nakano Tokyo - Education, Nakano Tokyo - Public schools, Nakano Tokyo - Colleges and universities, Nakano Tokyo - Transportation, Nakano Tokyo - Rail, Nakano Tokyo - Highway

Read more here: » Nakano Tokyo: Encyclopedia II - Nakano Tokyo - Geography

Chuo Main Line - Main Line. Tokyo Station (東京) Kanda Station (神田) Ochanomizu Station (御茶ノ水) Suidobashi Station (水道橋) Iidabashi Station (飯田橋) Ichigaya Station (市ヶ谷) Yotsuya Station (四ツ谷) Shinanomachi Station (信濃町) Sendagaya Station (千駄ヶ谷) Yoyogi Station (代々木) Shinjuku Station (新宿) Okubo Station (大久保) Higashi-Nakano Station (東中野 ...

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Chuo Main Line, Chuo Main Line - History, Chuo Main Line - Stations, Chuo Main Line - Main Line, Chuo Main Line - Old Line

Read more here: » Chuo Main Line: Encyclopedia II - Chuo Main Line - Stations

The area is mostly known for its large concentration of stores selling all kinds of electronic, anime, and otaku goods. Akihabara is probably the largest shopping area on Earth for electronic and computer goods, including new and used items. New items are mostly to be found on the main street, Chuo Dori, with used items of all descriptions (software, hardware, and junk galore) to be found in the back streets of Soto Kanda 3 chome. First hand parts for the do-it-yourself PC builder are readily available, with many places around for the ...

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Akihabara, Akihabara - History, Akihabara - Modern times, Akihabara - Otaku Culture

Read more here: » Akihabara: Encyclopedia II - Akihabara - Modern times

Suginami occupies the western part of the ward area of Tokyo. Its neighbors include these special wards: to the east, Shibuya and Nakano; to the north, Nerima; and to the south, Setagaya. Its western neighbors are the cities of Mitaka and Musashino. The Kanda, Zenpukuji and Myoshoji Rivers pass through Suginami. The center of population of Tokyo lies in Omiya 1-chome in Suginami. ...

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Suginami Tokyo, Suginami Tokyo - Geography, Suginami Tokyo - History, Suginami Tokyo - Places, Suginami Tokyo - Politics, Suginami Tokyo - Residents Basic Registry Network, Suginami Tokyo - Anti Revisionism, Suginami Tokyo - Transportation, Suginami Tokyo - Rail, Suginami Tokyo - Highway, Suginami Tokyo - Famous people

Read more here: » Suginami Tokyo: Encyclopedia II - Suginami Tokyo - Geography

Just like Kwassa Kwassa, the rhythmic dance craze that accompanied the music of Kanda Bongo Man, Loketo and Diblo Dibala in the 1980s and early 1990s, the fast paced soukous music now dominating dance floors in central and eastern Africa is called soukous ndombolo, performed by Awilo Longomba, Aurlus Mabele, Koffi Olomide and others. The hip-swinging, booty-shaking dance to the fast pace of soukous ndombolo has come under criticism amid charges that it is obscene. There have been attempts to ban it in Mali, Camero ...

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Soukous, Soukous - Origins, Soukous - The big bands, Soukous - Zaiko generation, Soukous - The Paris scene, Soukous - Ndombolo, Soukous - Footnotes

Read more here: » Soukous: Encyclopedia II - Soukous - Ndombolo