Lesson 5: The Ramayana
The Archetype Hero
In 1949 the mythologist Joseph Campbell wrote a book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” in which he postulated that all mythological tales, and many real life ones, follow a similar skeletal structure. He worked this out based on his work with Jung on archetypes. In this section we discuss to what extent Rama fits the archetype hero of Campbell. The stages of a hero are given below.
The hero is introduced in his ordinary world. The action of the tale takes place in a situation that contrasts with the normal world of the hero. Rama is the first born in a royal household and hence destined to become king. This starkly contrasts with the Spartan life in the forest where the essential action is set.
The call to adventure. This comes when Rama’s stepmother enforces the boons given to her and he is exiled for fourteen years.
The hero is reluctant at first but is encouraged by a wise person. Exactly the opposite is true in Rama’s case. He obeys with unusual alacrity but is exhorted by Lakshmana to disobey his father’s orders.
The hero passes the first threshold. After this there is no turning back. The citizens of Ayodhya follow Rama in his exile. He leaves them sleeping and with his wife and brother crosses the river in the wee hours of the morning.
The hero encounters tests and helpers. In the early part of his exile Rama visits the hermitages of several sages who prepare him for the future. In the assault on Lanka he has the assistance of the monkey brigade of Sugreeva. The test comes in the form of the abduction of his wife and the seesaw battle he fights with Ravana to rescue her.
The hero reaches the innermost cave. This is the place where the final action takes place. The monkeys build a bridge over the ocean to enable Rama and his army to reach Lanka, Ravana’s capital.
The hero endures the supreme ordeal. He comes close to death after which there is a reversal of fortunes in his favour. In the battle Rama is mortally wounded by Indrajeet’s divine weapon. Poisonous snakes released by the weapon bind him and Lakshmana and they are on the verge of death. At the last moment Hanuman brings Garuda the vulture to eat the snakes and free Rama and his brother.
The hero seizes the sword. The hero uses the final magic with which he slays the villain. Rama invokes the Brahmastra, the ultimate weapon created by Brahma when all else has failed.
The road back. The return to the hero’s original setting is often fraught with danger. This is not so in Rama’s case. His return is quick and uneventful.
Resurrection. The entry to his original world is again marked by a near death experience. In Rama’s case it his brother Bharat who is undergoing such an experience. Rama had promised to return precisely at the expiry of fourteen years. Bharat prepares to immolate himself in case Rama is delayed.
Return with the elixir. Rama has vanquished the evil race of Demons so that righteousness can now flourish unabated under his guidance.
Optional Exercises
7a. Read about Campbell’s analysis at this site. http://www.skepticfiles.org/atheist2/her...
7b. Trace the events of the Ramayana from ‘The Indian Epics Retold’. How good is the fit with Campbell’s analysis.
