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

While no Hindu epic or scripture fails to describe the horrors of war and its fallout, major wars are fought with a religious purpose: often to eliminate demonic beings, or lords and rulers who pursue war wantonly for ambition and domination. The most destructive wars in Hindu myth are often genocidal in scale, they are driven with the mission of good triumphing over evil. Hindu teachings prescribe war as the final option, to be employed only after all peaceful methods are exhausted. But when this time comes, war is taught to b ...

See also:

Wars of Hindu Mythology, Wars of Hindu Mythology - War in Religion and Myth, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Avataras of Vishnu, Wars of Hindu Mythology - Siva, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Kshatriya Order, Wars of Hindu Mythology - Devastras, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Devas and Asuras, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Ramayana, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Mahabharata, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The End of the World

Read more here: » Wars of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia II - Wars of Hindu Mythology - War in Religion and Myth

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

Ramayana illustrates Dharma in the form of Rama, who is the personification of this Hindu concept of duty and harmony. an ideal son, an ideal king and ideal husband through Rama. an ideal wife through Sita. an ideal brother through Lakshmana and Bharata (another half-brother of Rama). an ideal unassuming and loving devotee through Hanuman.

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. Contemporary versions of the Ramayana 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 Hampi

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 Hampi

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

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

War Sacrifices Ashwamedha: the famous horse-sacrifice was conducted by allowing a pony to roam freely for a slated period of time, with the king performing the sacrifice laying claim to all the lands it touched. The king whose authority is contested must prove himself in battle or accept the imperial supremacy of the challenging king. When the horse returns safely after the period of time, the main sacrifice is performed, and the king, if successful in obtaining dominance o ...

See also:

Wars of Hindu Mythology, Wars of Hindu Mythology - War in Religion and Myth, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Avataras of Vishnu, Wars of Hindu Mythology - Siva, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Kshatriya Order, Wars of Hindu Mythology - Devastras, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Devas and Asuras, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Ramayana, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Mahabharata, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The End of the World

Read more here: » Wars of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia II - Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Kshatriya Order

An Astra is a missile-type weapon which is to be hurled at an enemy. Examples include arrows from bows. A Shastra is a personal weapon, like swords and maces, that must be constantly operated by the warrior. Brahmastra: imbibed with the mystical force of Creator Brahma, this is considered the most fearsome weapon in mythological works. The releaser of millions of missiles, great fires and a destructive potential capable of extinguishing all creation, if not used by and ...

See also:

Wars of Hindu Mythology, Wars of Hindu Mythology - War in Religion and Myth, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Avataras of Vishnu, Wars of Hindu Mythology - Siva, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Kshatriya Order, Wars of Hindu Mythology - Devastras, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Devas and Asuras, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Ramayana, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Mahabharata, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The End of the World

Read more here: » Wars of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia II - Wars of Hindu Mythology - Devastras

The Lord Destroyer, Sarvaripati Siva is the most fearsome manifestation of the Supreme Godhead. Assigned with destroying all of the universe at the end of time, Siva is the most fearsome warrior, unconquerable by any and all. Pashupata: discharged by the mind, eyes, words or a bow, the Pashupata is the irresistable and most destructive personal weapon of Siva. Never to be used against lesser enemies and by lesser warriors, the Pashupata is capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. See also:

Wars of Hindu Mythology, Wars of Hindu Mythology - War in Religion and Myth, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Avataras of Vishnu, Wars of Hindu Mythology - Siva, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Kshatriya Order, Wars of Hindu Mythology - Devastras, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Devas and Asuras, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Ramayana, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Mahabharata, Wars of Hindu Mythology - The End of the World

Read more here: » Wars of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia II - Wars of Hindu Mythology - Siva

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 ...

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 - Marriage to Sita

Vishwamitra is famous in many legendary stories and in different works of Hindu mythology. Viswamitra - Trisanku. Another story Vishwamitra is known for is his creation of his own version of Swarga or heaven, called Trisanku Swarga. When a proud King Trisanku asked his guru, Vasishta, to send him to heaven in his own body, the guru responded that the body cannot ascend to heaven. King Trisanku then asked Vashista's seven sons to send him to heaven. The sons, outraged that Trisanku shou ...

See also:

Viswamitra, Viswamitra - Kaushika, Viswamitra - Quarrel with Vasishta, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Tapasya, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Rise to Brahmarishi, Viswamitra - Kaushika's Passions, Viswamitra - Legends, Viswamitra - Trisanku, Viswamitra - Harishchandra's Sacrifice, Viswamitra - In the Ramayana, Viswamitra - Gotra

Read more here: » Viswamitra: Encyclopedia II - Viswamitra - Legends

Lakshmana is the twin brother of Shatrughna, born in Ayodhya to Sumitra, the second wife of Dasaratha, king of Kosala. Rama is the eldest, and Shatrughna is the youngest of the four brothers. Despite being the twin of Shatrughna, Lakshmana is specially attached to Rama, and the duo are inseparable. When Rama marries Sita, he married the younger sister of Sita named Urmila. ...

See also:

Lakshmana, Lakshmana - Birth and Family, Lakshmana - With Rama, Lakshmana - During the Exile, Lakshmana - The Lakshmana Rekha, Lakshmana - Prowess in War, Lakshmana - Sanjivani, Lakshmana - Legacy

Read more here: » Lakshmana: Encyclopedia II - Lakshmana - Birth and Family

Lakshmana is said to be the incarnation of Sheshanaga or the thousand-headed Naga upon whom rests Lord Vishnu in the primordial ocean of milk, the Kshirasagara. The Lord of Serpents, Sheshanaga was incarnated to the earth in the form of Lakshmana and during the Dwapar Yuga, he incarnated as Balrama. He is the eternal companion of Vishnu. Lakshmana is part of the Mariyada Purshottamm, or The Perfect Man personified by Rama, by his unswerving loyalty, love and commitment to his elder brother through times ...

See also:

Lakshmana, Lakshmana - Birth and Family, Lakshmana - With Rama, Lakshmana - During the Exile, Lakshmana - The Lakshmana Rekha, Lakshmana - Prowess in War, Lakshmana - Sanjivani, Lakshmana - Legacy

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

One of Vishwamitra's chief faults was his short temper. He was very quick to anger and sometimes uttered curses on helpless victims, thereby depleting his yogic powers obtained by much penance. People feared his temper and prayed that their actions might not get misconstrued by the touchy sage. Kaushika's love of Menaka is also considered to have been intense and passionate beyond estimation. ...

See also:

Viswamitra, Viswamitra - Kaushika, Viswamitra - Quarrel with Vasishta, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Tapasya, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Rise to Brahmarishi, Viswamitra - Kaushika's Passions, Viswamitra - Legends, Viswamitra - Trisanku, Viswamitra - Harishchandra's Sacrifice, Viswamitra - In the Ramayana, Viswamitra - Gotra

Read more here: » Viswamitra: Encyclopedia II - Viswamitra - Kaushika's Passions

After cursing Rambha, Kaushika goes to the highest mountain of the Himalayas to perform an even more severe tapasya for over a thousand years. He ceases to eat, and reduces his breathing to a bare minimum. He is tested again by Indra, who comes as a poor brahmin begging for food just as Kaushika is ready to break a fast of many years by eating some rice. Kaushika instantly gives his food away to Indra and resumes his meditation. Kaushika also finally masters his passions, refusing to be provoked by ...

See also:

Viswamitra, Viswamitra - Kaushika, Viswamitra - Quarrel with Vasishta, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Tapasya, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Rise to Brahmarishi, Viswamitra - Kaushika's Passions, Viswamitra - Legends, Viswamitra - Trisanku, Viswamitra - Harishchandra's Sacrifice, Viswamitra - In the Ramayana, Viswamitra - Gotra

Read more here: » Viswamitra: Encyclopedia II - Viswamitra - Rise to Brahmarishi

Vishwamitra was a king named Kaushika, and was a valiant warrior and the great-grandson of a great sage named Kusha. One of the four sons of Kusha was Kushanubha, who performed the Puthrakameshti sacrifice and obtained a son named Gadhi as the result. Kaushika was the son of king Gadhi. Kaushika succeeded his father to the kingdom and ruled it ably. He was well liked by his people. Once he was on a tour of his kingdom, listening to the complaints of his subje ...

See also:

Viswamitra, Viswamitra - Kaushika, Viswamitra - Quarrel with Vasishta, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Tapasya, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Rise to Brahmarishi, Viswamitra - Kaushika's Passions, Viswamitra - Legends, Viswamitra - Trisanku, Viswamitra - Harishchandra's Sacrifice, Viswamitra - In the Ramayana, Viswamitra - Gotra

Read more here: » Viswamitra: Encyclopedia II - Viswamitra - Kaushika

This incident made a deep impression on the King. He realized that the power obtained by penances was far greater than mere physical might. He renounced his kingdom and began his quest to become a greater rishi than Vasishta. He took on the name Vishwamitra. It is very interesting to see all the challenges that Viswamitra faced in his life to become a Brahmarishi, before eventually giving up the greed to possess the cow. After many trials and undergoing many austerities, Vishwamitra at last obtained the title of Brahmarishi from Vasishta himself. During this time he had a daughter named Shakuntala (who appears in the Mahabharata) with Me ...

See also:

Viswamitra, Viswamitra - Kaushika, Viswamitra - Quarrel with Vasishta, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Tapasya, Viswamitra - Alternate Version, Viswamitra - Rise to Brahmarishi, Viswamitra - Kaushika's Passions, Viswamitra - Legends, Viswamitra - Trisanku, Viswamitra - Harishchandra's Sacrifice, Viswamitra - In the Ramayana, Viswamitra - Gotra

Read more here: » Viswamitra: Encyclopedia II - Viswamitra - Tapasya

Lakshmana is considered a powerful warrior equal to Rama. In the war against Ravana and his Lankan army of rakshasas, Lakshmana slays thousands of powerful demons such as Atikaya and Prahasta, Ravana's chief commanders, and his son Indrajit. With Rama, he also slays Kumbhakarna, the great giant rakshasa. His killing of Indrajit was considered to be the turning point of the war, as Indrajit was almost invincible, having ov ...

See also:

Lakshmana, Lakshmana - Birth and Family, Lakshmana - With Rama, Lakshmana - During the Exile, Lakshmana - The Lakshmana Rekha, Lakshmana - Prowess in War, Lakshmana - Sanjivani, Lakshmana - Legacy

Read more here: » Lakshmana: Encyclopedia II - Lakshmana - Prowess in War

Lakshmana is injured by a mystical weapon fired by Indrajit, which renders him unconscious and appearing to be dead. Rama and the others are shocked and in sorrow, when the army's physician explains that only with the special herb sanjivani that grows on a mountain in the Himalayan range, can Lakshmana be revived and brought back to life. Hanumana, the great monkey warrior flies all the way across the length of Bharat to reach the mountain in the Himalayas. Not knowing which is the magical herb and knowing there was no time to ...

See also:

Lakshmana, Lakshmana - Birth and Family, Lakshmana - With Rama, Lakshmana - During the Exile, Lakshmana - The Lakshmana Rekha, Lakshmana - Prowess in War, Lakshmana - Sanjivani, Lakshmana - Legacy

Read more here: » Lakshmana: Encyclopedia II - Lakshmana - Sanjivani

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