Sri Ramayana Darshanam

Sri Ramayana Darshanam is the most popular work and the

Jnanapeeth award in 1968.^[1]^[2]

Theme

The theme is the well known story of

, introduced by the poet himself for the first time in Kannada, the epic brings home the truth that all beings, even the most wicked and sinful, are destined to evolve and ultimately attain perfection.

Rama was born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kosala. His siblings included Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. He married Sita. Though born in a royal family, their life is described in the Hindu texts as one challenged by unexpected changes such as an exile into impoverished and difficult circumstances, ethical questions and moral dilemmas. Of all their travails, the most notable is the kidnapping of Sita by demon-king Ravana, followed by the determined and epic efforts of Rama and Lakshmana to gain her freedom and destroy the evil Ravana against great odds. The entire life story of Rama, Sita and their companions allegorically discusses duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. It illustrates dharma and dharmic living through model characters.

The fire-ordeal episode

The 'Agni-pravesha' (The fire-ordeal) episode illustrates the above statement. At Sita's command, Lakshmana makes a pyre for her and Sita mounts it. It is at this point that Kuvempu makes a startling deviation from Valmiki. The moment Sita has offered herself as supreme oblation to Agni, Rama too rushes after her, and enters the blazing flames, much to the shock of all earthly spectators. In a moment, however, Rama comes out of the fire holding Sita's palm in his right hand, and the spectators get a glimpse of their divinity. By this sensational innovation Kuvempu has proclaimed the great principle of the supremacy of the law, and the equality of all before the law, not excepting the law-giver himself. What is more, if this 'Agni-pravesha' is intended to reveal to all the world the truth of Sita's chastity, it is also intended to reveal Rama's fidelity and love for Sita.

References

^ Phadnis, Vivek (29 December 2019). "Celebrating Kuvempu's 115th birth anniversary". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
^ "Shadow On The Glen". Outlook. Retrieved 10 December 2016.

External links

The Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature (Volume Five (Sasay To Zorgot), Volume 5 By Mohan Lal
Ramayana Darshanam Review

[1] Phadnis, Vivek (29 December 2019). "Celebrating Kuvempu's 115th birth anniversary". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 21 April 2020.

[2] "Shadow On The Glen". Outlook. Retrieved 10 December 2016.

[1]

[2]

Ikshvaku dynasty		Dasharatha Kausalya Sumitra Kaikeyi Rama Bharata Lakshmana Shatrughna Sita Urmila Mandavi Shrutakirti Lava Kusha
Vanara	Hanuman Sugriva Vali Angada Tara Rumā Nala Nila Kesari Anjana Makaradhwaja
Rakshasa	Ravana Vibhishana Kumbhakarna Indrajit Akshayakumara Atikaya Kabandha Khara Dushana Mandodari Dhanyamalini Lavanasura Malyavan Maricha Mayasura Narantaka-Devantaka Prahasta Sarama Subahu Sulochana Sumali Shurpanakha Tataka Trijata Trishira Viradha
Sages	Agastya Ahalya Arundhati Bharadvaja Kambhoja Parashurama Vasishtha Vishvamitra Rishyasringa Valmiki
Other figures and concepts	Lakshmana rekha Jambavan Janaka Kushadhvaja Jatayu Manthara Maya Sita Sampati Shabari Shanta Shravana Kumara Vedavati Shambuka
Places	Ayodhya Mithila Dandakaranya Kishkindha Lanka Oshadhiparvata
Books/Kandas	Bala Ayodhya Aranya Kishkindha Sundara Yuddha Uttara
Versions	Adbhuta Ramayana Adhyathmaramayanam Adhyatma Ramayana Ananda Ramayana Bhanubhakta Ramayana Bhaṭṭikāvya Bilanka Ramayana Hikayat Seri Rama Jagamohana Ramayana Kakawin Ramayana Kamba Ramayanam Krittivasi Ramayana Maharadia Lawana Phra Lak Phra Ram Raghunatha Ramayana Ramakien Ramayana Kalpavruksham Ramcharitmanas Ranganatha Ramayanamu Reamker Saptakanda Ramayana Sri Ramayana Darshanam Sri Ramayanamu Trai Bhet Yama Zatdaw
Related	Ramlila

Sri Ramayana Darshanam

Theme

Modifications to the story

The fire-ordeal episode

See also

References

External links