Ramayana: History or
mythology?
The Ramayana is one of two epics, the other being the
Mahabharata, which have had a crucial influence in shaping the nature of Indian
civilization. The Ramayana existed in the oral tradition perhaps as far back as
1,500 BCE, but the fourth century BCE is generally accepted as the date of its
composition in Sanskrit by Sage Valmiki. Many historians claim that Ramayana
actually happened and is not a mythological folklore. Here are a few evidences
that make a compelling case.
Cobra Hood cave, Sri
Lanka
The tradition states that Sita was held in confinement in
the Cobra Hood cave. There are many pre-historic drawings on its ceiling. An
inscription in the cave that reads, ‘Parumaka naguliya lene’ further
establishes a distinct link between Sita and the Cobra Hood cave. The Demons
who guarded Sita while she was Ravana’s prisoner called her her Naguliya – one
who was born off the ploughshare.
Existence of Hanuman
Garhi
Lord Hanuman is one of the most important characters of
Ramayana and an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. Hanuman Garhi, now a temple is a
place in Ayodhya, where Hanuman was waiting patiently for Lord Rama who was in
exile. Hanuman Garhi temple is also famous for its strategic location. It is
situated at such a height and at such a site, from where the sunrises and
sunsets are artistically visible.
Foot Prints of Lord
Hanuman
When Hanuman reached Ashok Vatika, he is said to have
come in the form of a giant. There are giant imprints on one side of the lake
there which are said to be Hanuman's footprints, formed when he landed.
Ram Sethu
It is estimated that 'Rama's Bridge' is constructed in
around 5000 B.C, with the use of wood and stones. This supports the claim of
Ramayana being Historical. It is also backed by the construction method used to
build the bridge is mentioned in the Valmiki's text.
Sync between time
history and ages
Archaeological studies reveal that the first human
inhabitation happened in Sri Lanka around 1,750,000 years ago and it’s been
proved that the bridge’s age dates back to the same equivalent. To top it, the
dates mentioned in the text of Valmiki matches with that of primitive age as
well.
Mystery of Floating
stones
In Ramayan it is mentioned that the Ram Setu was built by
Stones and these stone starts Floating on water by touch of Nala & Neel.
Some such stones were scattered at Rameswaram during the Tsunami, these stones
still float on water. Many Geologist says RAMA Setu is built by natural process
but failed to Provide enough proofs. Apart from Ramayana there are several facts
which say Rama Setu is Man-made Structure.
Sanjeevani Mountain,
Dunagiri
Lord Hanumana carried the entire mountain that had
Sanjeevani Booti when Lakshmana lost his conscious during the Lanka war. This
mountain was named as Dunagiri. In most re-tellings of Ramayana, after the
medicines were used, Hanuman flies again to replace the mountain in its
rightful place. There lies a scar on the side of Dunagiri where Hanumana sliced
off a big chunk of mythological real estate, a scar which “bleeds” in the
afternoon sun.
Himalayan Herbs in Sri
Lanka
Exotic alpine Himalayan species are found suddenly amidst
tropical Sri Lankan vegetation, the legacy of Hanuman’s heroic voyage carrying
a mountain with life-restoring herbs called Sanjeevani.
Ashok Vatika, Sri Lanka
It was the location where Sita was held captive by Ravana
after her abduction, because she refused to stay in Ravana's palace, and preferred
to stay under the Ashoka tree, hence the name. Much of the Ashoka Vatika was
destroyed by Hanuman, when he first visited Lanka, searching for Sita. Its
present location is believed to be the Hakgala Botanical Garden, the area is
known as Seetha Eliya.
Existence of Lepakshi,
Andhra Pradesh
When Sita was abducted by Raavan, they bumped into
Jatayu, a demi-god in vulture form, who tried his best to stop Raavan.
Lepakshi, in Andhra Pradesh, is said to be the place where Jatayu fell. Ram,
accompanied by Hanuman, met the dying Jatayu. Ram helped him attain moksha by
uttering the words "Le Pakshi", which is Telugu for "Rise,
bird". There's also a large footprint in that area which is said to be
that of Hanumana's.
Four-tusked elephants
Sundar Kanda [4.27.12] states that Hanuman, on entering
Lanka, sees Four-Tusked elephants guarding the palaces of Ravana. These
elephants are tall and imposing and have been trained to protect Lanka from
invaders. Well, fossil remains show that there were many steps in the evolution
of the 'Modern Elephant' and there did exist four-tusked ancestors of elephants
in various shapes and sizes such as Trilophodon, Tetralophodon, Gomphotherium
etc around 20 million years ago!
Existence of Konda Kattu
Gala, Ishtreepura
This was one of the places to which King Ravana shifted
Sita as a precautionary measure which he was forced to take by Lord Hanuman's
advent. There are lots of intruding tunnels and caves in this area. This seems
to be a part of a great ingenious network of paths, which is interconnected to
all the major areas of King Ravana's city.
Ravana’s palace
These tunnels prove beyond doubt the architectural
brilliance of King Ravana. These tunnels served as a quick means of transport
through the hills and also as a secret passage and networked all the important
cities, airports and dairy farms. A .close look at these tunnels indicates that
they are man-made and not natural formations. This Buddhist shrine at Kalutara
was where once King Ravana's palace and a tunnel existed.
Kalaniya
After King Ravana’s death, Vibeeshana was coroneted as
King of Lanka by Lakshmana at Kelaniya. There are murals enshrined outside the
Buddhist temple depicting the crowning of Vibeeshana. The Kelani River is
mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana and Vibeeshana palace was said to be on the
banks of this river.
Proof of Lord Hanuman
setting fire to Ravana’s kingdom
The color of the soil of the ancient battlefield is still
red today, and is still surrounded by lighter colored earth. One of the
airports of Ravana, torched by Hanuman when he came looking for Sita, still has
a scorched-earth look. A patch of darker soil surrounded by brown earth.
Divurumpola, Sri Lanka
After Ram rescued Sita from Lanka, he made her go through
Agni Pariksha to test her purity. The place where this is said to have happened
is Divurumpola in Sri Lanka. There is a tree in that exact spot and even today,
local disputes are settled through debates and discussions under that tree.
Ramalingam
Since Rama felt guilty of killing a Brahmin (Brahmahasthi
Dosham), he decided to take penance at Munneswaram, 80 km from present Colombo.
This is the place where lord Rama prayed to lord Shiva and lord Shiva answered
his prayer by asking him to install four lingams. Out of this four, one of the
linga was made of sand by sita and other brought by lord hanuman from Kailas
Mountain. Lingams at Rameshwaram and Manavari temple was built by lord Rama
himself and so, is known as Ramalingam.
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