Perhaps the only Indian (self-proclaimed) Atheist I have read properly is Khushwant Singh. But when I read what he wrote about the great Indian epic of Ramayana and its place in our society, I loved all his words. Here it is:
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Lessons from Ramayana
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It could be said that Indian children start imbibing the Ramayana with their mother’s milk. It is the first story they hear in their childhood. It has found its way into their vocabulary. Their most popular greetings are Ram Ram, Jai Ramji Ki, Jai Sitaram. We are reminded about it every year through performances of Ramlila which take place in all towns and cities ending with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnad on Dussehra.
It could be said that Indian children start imbibing the Ramayana with their mother’s milk. It is the first story they hear in their childhood. It has found its way into their vocabulary. Their most popular greetings are Ram Ram, Jai Ramji Ki, Jai Sitaram. We are reminded about it every year through performances of Ramlila which take place in all towns and cities ending with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnad on Dussehra.
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Then there are Bharat Milap and Diwali. The reason is simple. For us, Sri Ram is God personified, his wife Sita, our mother goddess, Lakshman, the loyal brother and Hanuman the faithful servitor. They represent the powers of goodness. Their enemy Ravana and his brothers represent the powers of evil.
Then there are Bharat Milap and Diwali. The reason is simple. For us, Sri Ram is God personified, his wife Sita, our mother goddess, Lakshman, the loyal brother and Hanuman the faithful servitor. They represent the powers of goodness. Their enemy Ravana and his brothers represent the powers of evil.
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In essence, the story is of goodness prevailing over evil. We carry it to the end of our days on earth. When our dead bodies are taken out to cremation grounds, one mourner chants Ram Naam Satya Hai - the name of Rama is the truth; other mourners reply: Sat bolo gut hai - speak the truth and attain salvation.
In essence, the story is of goodness prevailing over evil. We carry it to the end of our days on earth. When our dead bodies are taken out to cremation grounds, one mourner chants Ram Naam Satya Hai - the name of Rama is the truth; other mourners reply: Sat bolo gut hai - speak the truth and attain salvation.
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Taken from: Khushwant Singh’s review of ‘The Story of Ram and his friends in the forest’, written by Pratibha Nath and illustrated by Sujasha Dasgupta (Rupa). HT, Dec 12, 2010 http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ethics-of-journalism-and-lessons-from-Ramayana/Article1-637347.aspx
Taken from: Khushwant Singh’s review of ‘The Story of Ram and his friends in the forest’, written by Pratibha Nath and illustrated by Sujasha Dasgupta (Rupa). HT, Dec 12, 2010 http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ethics-of-journalism-and-lessons-from-Ramayana/Article1-637347.aspx
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