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Re: "Progressive" Thinking Regarding Heroes and Villains (was Re: Another que...

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Ramanbil • November 13, 1998 


Dear Bhagavatas:

In continuation of my posting on the subject, I present below some of the
versions of Ramayanam (from Chapter 3 of my book "Hinduism Rediscovered")
archived in SDDS Volumes at www.geocities.com/~elayavalli/sgati  
and why Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam is considered as  authentic (from my talk at
the Venkateswara Mahima Conference at Pittsburgh)
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy

Excerpts from "Chapter 3 Sources of Knowledge"
The RAMAYANA has been translated into several all India languages and in
various foreign languages. It has been adapted by different poets and authors
who were inspired by its lofty ideals.  A few of the more well known works are
as follows:
i.  ANANDA RAMAYANAM : Supposedly by Parameswara himself.
ii. ADYATMA RAMAYANAM by VISVAMITRA
iii.ADBUTA RAMAYANAM by VALMIKI himself
iv.AGANIVESYA RAMAYANAM by an unknown author
v.JAINA RAMAYANAM by HEMA CHANDRA
vi. KAMBA RAMAYANAM by Tamil Poet KAMBAR
vii. MANTRA RAMAYANAM by LAKSHMANA ARYA   
viii. SANGRAHA RAMAYANAM by NARAYANA PANDITHA
ix. BHATTI KAVYA by BHATTI KAVI
x. RAGHUVAMSA by MAHAKAVI KALIDASA
xi.RAMA CHARITAMANAS by TULSIDAS
xii.YOGA VASISHTA by VALMIKI

Why Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam is considered as authentic?
Excerpts from talk at Venkateswara Mahima Conference at Pittsburgh

Swami Desika proceeds to illustrate in his "Abhaya Pradhaana Saaram" several
instances from Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam to show the efficacy of Saranagathi.
These instances show that Saranagathi not only ensures Moksha but is also
capable of conferring whatever one prays for. And, he takes us on a guided
tour of all the 7 Khandas of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana to substantiate this.

WHY HE CHOSE SRIMAD VALMIKI RAMAYANA?
It is believed that Brahma's son Narada initiated Maharishi Valmiki into the
story of Rama's Avatara.  Brahma and Saraswati came on the scene and blessed
Valmiki with divine vision so he could witness all the happenings that took
place in camera or in public as between the different characters. They also
blessed that his words would reflect absolute truth without any tinge of
falsehood.

It may be noted that among Ramayanams, ONLY Srimad Valmiki Ramayana is
recognized as "ITIHASA" (along with Vyasa Bhagavan's Mahabharata).

The word "Itihasa" means "So it was" meaning that it is a factual
representation of 'events as they actually happened' -- while so many other
Ramayanas are NOT considered as Itihasas (obviously because they were all made
up by distorting the facts contained in the original).

This is also why Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam is considered an "Adhi Kaavyam" an
honorofic none other version can claim to qualify.
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy