Lesson 5: The Ramayana
Rama's Ancestry
At the time of marriage it was customary to announce the lineage of the bridegroom and bride. Accordingly Rama’s ancestry was announced. The full lineage from Brahma is given in the Ramayana by Valmiki. However the lineage as mentioned in the Bhagwat Purana appears more complete and correct and I shall use that source.
Brahma created the sage Marichi using his mental powers, who similarly created the sage Kashyap. The Sun demi-God was the offspring from the marriage of Kashyap and Aditi. Vaivasvata Manu carried forward the Solar dynasty. Manu’s son Ikshvaku was the first king of Ayodhya and is often referred to as the founder of the dynasty into which Rama was born. After Ikshvaku came Vikukÿi, Kakuthsa, Indravaahu, Anenasa, Viþvarandhi, Chandra, Yuvanaashwa, Saabastha, Brahadaashwa, Kuvalayaashwa, Dridhaashwa, Haryaashwa, Nikumbha, Barhanaashwa, Kritaashwa, Syenajit, Yuvanaashwa, Maandhaataa, Purukuthsa, Trasaddsya, Anranya, Hryaashwa, Aruõa, Tribandhan and Trishanku. Trishanku wanted to take his mortal body to heaven and suffered a very unusual fate.
Harishchandra, who was renowned for telling the truth, followed Trishanku. Rohit, Harit, Champaa, Sudev, Vijay, Bharook, Vrik and Baahuk were the succeeding rulers. The next few generations – Sagara, Asmanja, Anshuman, Dilip and Bhagirath - played a crucial role in getting the River Ganga to earth. The next kings were Shrut, Naabh, Sindhudwaash, Ayutaayu, Rutuparõa, Sudaasu, Ashmaka, Maalak, Aareekavacha, Dasharath, Idvidaa, Vishwasaha, Khatvaang and Dileep.
Dileep’s heir Raghu was held in high regard. The dynasty after him was referred to as Raghukul meaning the family of Raghu and the family members were called Raghav meaning from Raghu. The importance of Raghu can be ascertained from a very popular verse from the Ramayana by Tulsidas (which is the most popular version of the Ramayana). The verse is
“It has always been the tradition of the Raghu dynasty that one should give up one’s life rather than go back on one’s word”
These words said by Dasharatha to Kaikeyi just before she specifies the two boons are central to the narrative.
After Raghu were Aja, Dasharatha and then Rama.
Valmiki’s list has a notable exception in Harishchandra. The list includes Nahush and Yayati who are from the Lunar dynasty. One reason for this discrepancy could be that Valmiki’s Ramayana was written 2000 years before the Bhagwat Purana. In the intervening period scholars were able to better research the information available. One name is missing from both lists. In the Ramayana we have been following, when Rama accepts Vibhishana into his fold he refers to an ancestor who had given shelter to a dove. He was referring to King Sibi. The story is in ‘The Indian Epics Retold’. It is under Gods, Demons and Others on page 620.
This lineage illustrates two important facts. The first is that the mythology is based in history. Not all of it may be true but there is a great deal of truth. To trace a dynasty through so many generations cannot be pure imagination. The second and more important issue is that it shows the continuity of a society.
Optional Exercises
2a. Read the detailed account of Rama’s lineage from the Valmiki Ramayana
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/bala/sarga...
and from the Bhagwat Purana Canto 9 Chapter 6 to 10.
http://srimadbhagavatam.org/canto9/chapt...
2b. Read the detailed account of Trishanku from the Valmiki Ramayana.
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/bala/sarga...
2c. Read the detailed account of Sagara from ‘The Indian Epics Retold’. It is under the subheading Ganga’s Story on page 28.
2d. Trishanku was hung between the heaven and earth. The word used to describe a hung parliament in Hindi is Trishanku. Bhagirath toiled a lot in order to get Ganga to earth. His name is used to describe very had work. Many words and phrases used in English derive from mythologies. Can you think of some of them?
