4 Interesting Aspects of Ramayana Beyond the Ram-Sita Story

Ramayana is an iconic epic full of interesting tales, lessons, vivid stories, fascinating characters, and heroic events. Centered around Lord Rama’s 14 Years of exile, Ramayana, especially Valmiki Ramayana primarily revolves around Lord Ram’s journey.

The journey in itself is full of adventures and lessons, but it becomes more interesting when you find out: Numerous journeys are taking place within the voyage and that too simultaneously.

Devotee Shabari’s journey and the 9-fold discourse on Devotion, Hanuman’s journey across the ocean and in Lanka, Ravana’s own journey and Seeta Mata’s voyage from Jankapur to Ayodha to Sri Lanka.

These voyages are special in their own manner and if you view them from the protagonist’s lenses, these are tales of adventure and inspiration.

Here are some of the other facets of Ramayana that go beyond the Ram-Sita story:

1.   The 10 Heads of Ravana

There are different variations about the interpretation of what these 10 heads mean. All of these have their own meanings and if you look closely into it, it’s reveals Ravana’s story of rise and fall.

Some suggest that these 10 heads represent the four Vedas and six Shastras, some say it signifies that Ravana’s mental prowess was 10 times that of an average human being.

The most interesting one is the idea that the 10 heads represent emotions like Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Moha (delusion), Lobha (greed), Mada (pride) ,Maatsarya (envy), Buddhi (intellect), Manas (mind), Chitta (will), Ahamkara (ego).

There is a popular belief that Ravana was told that he would conquer the world if he let his Buddhi (intellect) command everything else. However, it is interesting to find out how these 9 heads overpowered the intellect to cause his downfall.

The 10 Heads of Ravana are in fact one of the most interesting symbolic parts of the Ramayana.

2.  The World of Hanuman, Jambavan, Jatayu, and Rakshasas   

Jambavan was the King of the bears, who made Hanuman aware of his strengths before Hanuman’s voyage to Lanka.

Jatayu, the King of vultures revealed about Mata Seeta’s abduction and suggested Lord Rama should go south.

Hanuman’ birth, encounter with Shree Rama, the Monkey King Sugriva’s world and Hanuman’s voyage in Lanka.

Mata Seeta’s time in Ashok Vatika.

Ramayana is also the world of Seeta, Hanuman, Jambavan, Jatayu and Sugriva.

Were these people reincarnations? What roles did they play and what do they symbolize? Every character has their own story to tell.

3. The Idea of Maya: The Golden Deer

The Golden deer is what enchants Mata Seeta resulting in she requesting Lord Rama to get the deer for her. In the process there is another “Maya” where a demon mimics Shree Ram’s voice calling for help, causing Seeta to get anxious.

This causes Mata Seeta to send Lakshmana for Rama’s help and Mayavi Ravana takes form of a Sadhu to abduct Seeta.

The Golden deer in a symbolic manner commences the entry of Maya into the life of Rama and Seeta. It never ends, one after other it reinforces itself in different forms causing pain and suffering.

The self-reinforcing, unending cycle of Maya is beautifully represented in the form of the golden deer.

4.  Shabari and the 9-fold discourse on Devotion

Shabari, the Adivasi saint of Ramayana is an ideal representation of a devotee. Her patience and her devotion transcend everything leading Shree Ram to choose her hut over hospitality of hundreds of learned men.

In due process, Shree Ram also delivered his 9-fold discourse on Bhakti or devotion to Shabari, which includes Satsang or associated with righteous people, hearing tales, doing service to guru, Kirtana, Japas, Bhajanas, selfless service, seeing God in every form, being content, and unreserved surrender.

Shabari’s story is also an integral aspect of Ramayana. Ramayana is a story of devotion and Shabari is the symbol of an ideal devotee of Shree Rama.

Ramayana undoubtedly is a story primarily about Lord Rama and Devotion. But it isn’t only about that, it is also the tale of Seeta’s conviction and strength, Hanuman’s self-less service, Shabari’s devotion, Maya, Ravana and much more.