Because the epics listed in the prompt address certain belief systems, I related the “living” aspect of the Ramayana to some concepts noted in ancient religions. I’m deriving this knowledge from a world religions class I took in the ninth grade, which was practically forever ago, so forgive me if I don’t remember the details!
In contrast to The Iliad, The Odyssey, and Paradise Lost, The Ramayana may be considered a living epic because it is preserved as an oral tradition. Ancient civilizations used verbal means rather than the written word to keep stories “alive” because they promoted tight-knit communities. People became dependent upon one another to learn stories and, in turn, pass them down to future descendants. Many stories would be kept alive through dramatic illustrations, which functioned as entertainment and prompted others to memorize and recite as well. In this sense, the stories stayed alive because of a living, interacting community.
The importance of keeping an epic like The Ramayana alive may also be related to the common beliefs relating to remembering the departed. Some ancient religions believed that keeping their deceased loved ones alive in memory would keep them alive in the spiritual world. Remembrance was therefore extremely important, since if the ancestors were forgotten, they would be forced into another, less favorable spiritual world (something to the effect of the land of dead, I believe). In the same manner, stress is put upon keeping stories alive orally so they do not die and are not forgotten. From my own inferences, if Hindu’s believe that The Ramayana is a legitimate historical account, they may keep the epic alive to keep the characters alive as well.
The Ramayana, as a living epic, is also functional in its purpose of teaching Indians to live by the statues of dharma, like the hero Rama. In contrast, the other epics tend to put less focus on social and moral guidelines.
Because the epics listed in the prompt address certain belief systems, I related the “living” aspect of the Ramayana to some concepts noted in ancient religions. I’m deriving this knowledge from a world religions class I took in the ninth grade, which was practically forever ago, so forgive me if I don’t remember the details!
ReplyDeleteIn contrast to The Iliad, The Odyssey, and Paradise Lost, The Ramayana may be considered a living epic because it is preserved as an oral tradition. Ancient civilizations used verbal means rather than the written word to keep stories “alive” because they promoted tight-knit communities. People became dependent upon one another to learn stories and, in turn, pass them down to future descendants. Many stories would be kept alive through dramatic illustrations, which functioned as entertainment and prompted others to memorize and recite as well. In this sense, the stories stayed alive because of a living, interacting community.
The importance of keeping an epic like The Ramayana alive may also be related to the common beliefs relating to remembering the departed. Some ancient religions believed that keeping their deceased loved ones alive in memory would keep them alive in the spiritual world. Remembrance was therefore extremely important, since if the ancestors were forgotten, they would be forced into another, less favorable spiritual world (something to the effect of the land of dead, I believe). In the same manner, stress is put upon keeping stories alive orally so they do not die and are not forgotten. From my own inferences, if Hindu’s believe that The Ramayana is a legitimate historical account, they may keep the epic alive to keep the characters alive as well.
The Ramayana, as a living epic, is also functional in its purpose of teaching Indians to live by the statues of dharma, like the hero Rama. In contrast, the other epics tend to put less focus on social and moral guidelines.