The film Avengers: Infinity War was the fourth highest grossing film of all time. While a great success in English speaking markets such as the United States and Canada, the film also found great success elsewhere, breaking all time opening records in countries such as South Korea, Mexico, India and Brazil. What this example informs us is that an entertaining and spectacular tale of heroism transcends barriers imposed by differences in language and culture. People love a good story regardless of its origins. A story gaining wide appeal in this age of globalized mass communication is impressive but imagine a tale which achieved this when the fastest way to transmit information was through a man on a fast horse or boat. And yet that is what the Ramayana achieved many years ago. Each language of India has its own telling of Rama's story, countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand and Cambodia too had their own versions as well. Even the Mughals commissioned a translation of the Ramayana!
The Balakanda predicts that the unfolding story would be beloved and endlessly retold the world over. But why was the Ramayana composed? How did Valmiki learn about the story of Rama? Why did Valmiki decide to compose the Ramayana as a series of verses? The first part of the Ramayana, the Balakanda discusses these questions.
One aspect we discussed in class was what the Ramayana had to say about leadership. Throughout the story we examine the characters of several kings in detail – Rama's father Dasharatha, Ravana, Visvamitra, and Rama himself. It should also be noted that the Ramayana takes place after Parasurama's rampage which destroyed generations of kshatriyas over and over due to the oppression they had brought upon the world. The instigator of this massacre was one Karthavirya Arjuna. In a story remarkably similar to that of then-King Visvamitra and Sage Vashishta, this Arjuna would try to steal a sacred cow from a sage (Parasurama's father). The conflict would lead to Parasurama's father's death. Both Visvamitra and Karthavirya Arjuna are described as skilled warriors and able administrators and yet they are both brought to ruination (or near ruination in Visvamitra's case) by their greed, their ego and their stubbornness; even otherwise virtuous and capable leaders are capable of adharma and oppression. Dasharatha, a similarly accomplished king, is brought low by his desire to please his wife and desire similarly clouds Ravana's judgment and brings about ruin. It is perhaps in the light of these flawed kings that Valmiki asks Sage Narada of a king who is both fierce in battle, just in rule and free of the vices described above. This is the conversation which would familiarize Valmiki with Rama's history and virtuous character and spark the events which would lead to the composition of the Ramayana. In Rama we see the model for an ideal leader and ideal person. Hopefully the emphasis of each session should be on aspects of Rama's character and how we can best emulate him. We may not be able to lift Shiva's bow and break it, but we can aspire to incorporate his best characteristics such as his empathy.
