Divali celebrations come to a climax on?Tuesday. But before the deyas are lit, a number of Central villages staged the re-enactment of Ramleela celebrations. Dow Village is famous for the play based on the Ramayana.
The burning of an effigy of Ravana (Rawan) is among the highlights. In a nutshell, the Ramayana, a sacred Hindu text, focuses on the banishment of Rama from his kingdom of Ayodha, the abduction of his wife Sita by a demon Ravana and her rescue, and Rama's eventual restoration to the throne.
While local thespians bring characters like Rama, Sita and Ravana to life, placing Ramayana in the historical setting has been an incomplete task, as witnessed by never-ending debates among researchers, archaeologists, historians, literary pundits and authors.
Scottish journalist and lecturer Donald A Mackenzie offered his interpretation of the Ramayana in the hardcover Indian Myths and Legends. Lore has it the Ramayana was related by the sage Valmiki. The Hindu God Brahma had given Valmiki the assurance "as long as mountains endure and rivers run towards the sea, so long will it be repeated by the lips of mankind."
Drawing upon Indian mythology, Mackenzie examines the Ramayana in three segments-Story of Rama:?How Sita was Won, The Abduction of Sita and Rama's Mission Fulfilled. In the Story of Rama:?How Sita was Won, he examines the breaking of Shiva's bow, how Sita is won and the banishment of Rama. The Abduction of Sita examines segments like visit to Rama in exile, Rama's great victory, Ravana's Cunning Plot and The Magic Deer.
Sita's abduction
A pivotal moment in Mackenzie's three-tiered dissection is the abduction of Sita. MacKenzie describes Rama's lament at Sita's abduction. He said, "Ravana changed his shape and stood up in gigantic demon form with vast body and ten heads and 20 arms. Seizing Sita, he soared through the air with her as Garuda carries off the queen of serpents; he placed her in his chariot and went away swifter than the wind.
The unseen spirits of the jungle looked on, and they heard the cries of Sita as she called in vain for Rama. But Ravana took Sita in his arms, and soaring higher than the vulture king, disabled him with his sword. When Ravana reached his palace he delivered Sita to a band of Rakshasa women, commanding them to guard her by day and by night. Rama lamented long and loudly when he returned to the forest hut and found it was empty. "He knew not that Sita had been carried away, but whither he knew not."
In Rama's Mission Fulfilled, Mackenzie documents Rama's Lament for Sita, Sita's Ordeal of Fire and Rama's return to Ayodha. As expected, the grief-stricken Rama went in search of his beloved Sita. It has similar parallels to the Greek tale of Orpheus odyssey for his Eurydice.
An excerpt said, "He called upon every mountain and tree and on every bird and beast, asking whither she had gone. "Sita is my heart's love. I?cannot live without her." Having defeated Ravana after trials, Rama was restored with Sita. He enlisted Hanuman's help. But first there was the epic battle fought between the villain Ravana and the hero Rama. "Suddenly Rama darted forward. He drew his bow and shot a swift arrow which smote one of Ravana's ten heads, but immediately another appeared in his place. Roaring in his fierce agony Ravana fell ponderously upon the plain and expired. So was the enemy of gods and men put to death by peerless Rama."
Rama's restoration
Even the heavens celebrated Rama's feat. "Celestial music was heard in the heavens and flowers fell upon the plain of victory:?a voice came down the wind, saying:?"O victor of truth and righteousness, thy task is now ended."
Rama's restoration brought peace. "The Rakshasa hosts broke in flight when Ravana fell, and Rama entered the city in triumph. When peace was restored, Rama commanded Sita should be brought forth. She was carried towards the plain concealed in a litter and all the apes gathered round to behold her. Rama requested her to alight and walk towards him, and she did so. With folded hands she approached Rama and knelt at his feet, weeping tears of joy."?
The ending does have its fairytale appeal. Rama wept, and Sita hid her face in his bosom and soft embrace. The exile of Rama was now ended, and he returned speedily in the car of Indra to Ayodhya, with Sita and Laskshmana and Hanuman."?Rama was coronated amid great rejoicing.
About Mackenzie
He felt compelled to write the collection because he wanted to "tap into the a deep well of shared human experience." He was fascinated that against the background of the turbulent history of India under British rule, the myths and legends endured. The myths were gleaned from the rich and abundant storehouse of Sanskrit literature. Mackenzie included myths like Indra, Eur-Asian hammer-god, and Agni, the fire-god. About 200 hymns were dedicated to Agni. Readers are invited to follow with avid interest the development of the primitive myths, of great and ennobling ideas, which exercised a culturing influence in India.