Ramayana Worksheet
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Ramayana Worksheet
1. How was the epic transmitted? The Ramayana, one of the most important pieces of Indian literature, was originally transmitted orally starting more than 2500 years ago. The memorization of such a poem must have taken dedication, as the poem contains more than 24,000 verses. Therefore, the ones dedicated to such a task went to lengths to make the story easier to hear by their peers. For instance, some of the outlandish locations never heard before by the listeners were changed to be local ones, to aid comprehension of the story. Also, the storytellers might add or remove information they didn't like from the story in order to tell the tale they wanted. Hundreds of years after, however, the only versions of the story to be written down were interpretations, shrouding the original work in a veil of secrecy.
Works Cited _______________
1. "Lessons of the Indian Epics: Following the Dharma." Lessons of the Indian Epics: Following the Dharma | EDSITEment. National Endowment For The Humanities, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. <http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/lessons-indian-epics-following-dharma>.
-Max Westmark
2. How is the hero's pedigree mythically established?
3. What calls the hero to take action?
4. What tests does the hero have to endure?
5. What are the qualities of a hero revealed during the tests?
6. Who are the hero’s helpers?
The Heroes helpers include Rama's "...younger brother and friend Shatrughna and his friend Nishad." (Valmiki Online). His other Brother Laxmana, a very skilled fighter and completely loyal sibling, also accompanied Rama on his journey. Rama's wife Seeta also was a key part in Rama's journey. Laxmana and Seeta were his two main compatriots throughout the epic, however, he did gain help from the monkey king Sugreev. Sugreev helped Rama attack Ravana, the hundred faced king, and his city to gain Seeta back. Sugreev also sent Hanuman, another monkey, to assist Rama in many tasks, such as destroy a city. These helpers and compatriots were an essential part in Rama's quest and he could not have completed it without them.
Most Information from: [1] Picture from: [2]
Hayden Simmons
7. Where does the hero's power come from?
Rama and his brothers are both legendary archers. When they were just children a sage taught them how to shoot a bow with extreme accuracy and speed. Rama was always the best and the strongest of his brothers. He uses his skill to conquer and kill his enemies. However, if he does not need to kill his enemy, he can just aim for a painful and paralyzing point and hit it. He also draws power from his immense love for Seeta(or Sita). When attacking Ravana, he is able to kill him because he knows that if he does not, he will never see Seetaagain. His skill with a bow mixed with his passion make him a very powerful adversary.
Most Info From: [3] Picture From: [4]
-Hayden Simmons
8. What does the hero accomplish?
Identify:
Rama
Rama is the central figure and hero of the Ramayana. The Ramayana is part of a group of Hindu epic stories called the Puranas. The Puranas were a way to convey customs, morals, and spiritual values through stories.
Rama was the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu and was prince of the kingdom of Ayodhya. His father, King Dasaratha chose Rama as his successor, but the queen, Kaikeyi, wanted up to appoint his other son, Bharata. Kaikeyi told King Dasaratha that he owed her two favors, so he had to crown Bharata and exile Rama for fourteen years to the forest. Dasaratha agreed, and Rama went to the forest with his wife, a beautiful princess named Sita, and his brother Laksmana.
When they are in the forest, a demoness, Surpanakha, falls in love with Rama. Rama rejects her, and Laksmana wounds her. She turns to her brother Ravana, a ten-headed demon and king of Lanka, for help. Ravana decides he must kidnaps Sita to exact revenge on Rama. Ravana changes himself into a holy man, and, while Rama and Laksmana are distracted, Ravana takes her away.
Rama and Laksmana get Hanuman, the monkey king, to help them find Sita. Hanuman, who can make himself bigger or smaller, takes a giant step and finds Sita on the island of Lanka. He has Rama's ring, and when he finds Sita, he tells her that he is Rama's messenger. However, Ravana finds Hanuman and sets his tail on fire. Hanuman retaliated by setting fire to Lanka.
Rama, Laksmana, Hanuman, and Hanuman's monkey army attack Lanka. After a long battle, Rama kills Ravana. But, before they can live happily ever after, Rama questions Sita's chastity, for she lived in another man's house. Rama makes Sita walk through a fire, and, after she gets through unharmed, she rejoins Rama, and they rule Ayodhya. Later, when the public questions Sita's purity, Rama sends Sita away and she goes to live with a sage in the forest.
Works cited: [5]
For additional reading, the comic book is located in Mrs. Beniretto's classroom.
Irene Vazquez
Laxmana
Laxmana, also written Lakshmana, is the prince of Ayodhya and the son of king Dasharata and Queen Sumitra. He was also the half-brother and companion of Rama. Laxmana was considered as an avatar in many versions of the Ramayana(blue-skinned people) and to be an avatar of Shesha. Laxmana was the third youngest of the four brothers Rama(the eldest), Bharata(the second), and Shatrughna(the youngest and the twin of Laxmana. Laxmana was renowned for his loyalty and skill as a fighter, he was most loyal to his older brother Rama. When Rama and Sita were exiled from Ayodhya, Laxmana built them a home and helped guard them at night so Rama could sleep, without complaint. Ravana sent a golden deer to the hut of Rama, Sita, and Laxmana, but sensing a trap, Rama told Laxmana to guard Sita while he followed the deer. Ravana then called out for help, sounding like Rama, and Sita begged Laxmana to go help him. As soon as Laxmana left Sita alone, she was kidnapped. Laxmana went to fight with his older brother, along with Hanuman and others, against Ravana. During one of the battles, Laxmana was hit with a mystical weapon and was fatally wounded. The medic said that only a special herb could save his life, and Hanuman left to retrieve it. Bringing the mountain it grew on back, Hanuman succeeded in helping save Laxmana. Laxmana helped win the fight and rescue Sita with his brother. Laxmana married Sita's sister Urmilla and remained the most faithful brother to Rama.
Matthew Walsh Sources :http://www.indianetzone.com/13/lakshmana.htm and http://kerals.com/ramayanam/index.htm
Sita
Sita is the bride of Rama and has an interesting story to her as well. King Janak was digging up his field with a golden axe when he unearthed a beautiful maiden in the ground, he called her Sita, for she was beautiful and pure. Sita was 'adopted' by Janak and a test of strength would be help for neighboring princes for her hand in marriage. The name of the game, archery. Janak asked the princes to lift and shoot the bow of Shiva, many tried, and failed. Only Rama, succeeded in lifting and shooting the bow, winning Sita over. Once they are married, Sita and Rama are exiled, leading into the whole story about the capture and return of Sita, the Ramayana. After sita returned to the kingdom with Rama however, she became pregnant with twins. This part of the story is argued about whether Sita was asked to leave or exiled, but either way, Sita left to live in the forest for fourteen years and two children. The sage Valmiki took care of her and her sons until Rama visited them after their fourteen years. Seeing Rama and her boys, Sita sank back into the Earth.
Matthew Walsh Sources: http://kerals.com/ramayanam/ramayanam4.htm
Bharata
Ravana
Ravana is a ten headed man with twenty arms, he is also the "demon-king" of Lanka. In many versions of Rama, Ravana is killed by Rama. Ravana is considered to be the face of all evil in India. In America, some might say, "Suzy (N.B- Suzy is a fictional character, invented for the purposes of this example) was acting like the devil last night." In India, someone might say, "Suzy was acting like Ravana last night." Ravana tends to be slightly self righteous and self involved. Ravana seems to be overly confident in himself. Ravana also had a love intrest, Sita. In some versions of Rama, Ravana held Sita captive, and advised her to marry him on many occasions. Although she always refused, Ravana never breached her boundaries. In modern day India, there is a festival known as Dusshera. This festival is held at the park and includes a reenactment of Rama and Ravana's intense battle (reenacted by huge doll like statues). Ravana is the embodiment of evil.
All information came from this website: http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/Avatars/Ravana.html
Caroline W.
Jatayu Jatayu is the vulture king, and in some sculptures he appears to look like a man with wings and a beak. Jatayu is the son of Garuda, and in the epic Ramayana, Jatayu involves himself in an intense battle with Ravana, the demon. While trying to rescue Sita, Jatayu slashes at Ravana, but, much like in Greek mythology, Ravana's limbs grow back almost instantaneously. Ravana swipes at Jatayu's wings and he falls to the ground, to his death. Jatayu's dying words, told to Rama and Lakshmana, the princes who found him dying, let the princes know where Sita was taken by Ravana. The princes are eternally grateful, and proceed to allow Jatayu to have a funeral. This is the basic journey of Jatayu.
All information came from this website: http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/artwork/jatayus-jatayu-king-vultures-and-aide-rama-approx-1970
Caroline W.
Hanuman
Hanuman is one of the key deities in Hinduism. Sculpted, he appears to have a monkey like face and a chunky human body; this is fitting, because he is the monkey king. Hanuman tends to be favored among people who practice Hinduism because he assisted Rama on his journey. He is seen as a sort of lovable symbol that pushes away evil. Hanuman is the son of Vayu, the wind god, and Anjana, a cursed monkey. Hanuman was born when a crow dropped a magic piece of cake into the forest, Anjana ate it in the presence of Vayu; henceforth, Hanuman. Hanuman, a big eater, attempted to eat the sun, but was convinced not to. He grew into a strong and fast monkey-man. Hanuman was a large help in assisting Rama's battle with Ravana. He was such an amazing warrior, he could make himself the size of a mouse. This was a great help during battles. Supposedly in the legend of Rama, Hanuman, when no one could could cross the sea, he transformed into a huge flying creature and crossed. When no one could enter a room, he transformed himself into a miniscule creature and sled through the keyhole. Hanuman remains a beloved Hindu symbol, and continues to roam in the heavens.
All information came from this website: http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hanuman.html
Caroline W.
