Mythologist | Author | Speaker | Illustrator
-
Articles
Descendents of Luv and Kush
Different readings of the Ramayana present variations in the story of Luv and Kush. In some versions, both are Sita’s children. In others, only Luv is Sita’s son, while Kush is created by Valmiki from Kusha grass. …
-
Articles
When Hanuman Took Initiative
There are two forms of Hanuman. In one he sits at the feet of Ram, an obedient assistant. This is Ram-dasa Hanuman. In the other, he stands alone, displaying ten hands and four extra heads: that of a lion, an eagle, a wild boar and a horse. This is Maha-bali Hanuman. …
-
Articles
The Unfaithful Wives In Ramayana
The Ramayana, in fact, presents three types of infidelity. Ahalya engages in physical relations with another man. Rishi Jamadagni’s wife, Renuka, momentarily thinks of another man, representing psychological infidelity. And Sita remains utterly faithful to her husband in both body and mind, yet her reputation is tarnished by her abduction by a demon king…
-
Articles
When Brahmins Killed Kshatriyas and Kshatriyas Killed Brahmins
Anyone who reads the Ramayana and the Mahabharata carefully realises that both texts presuppose an event involving Parshuram, a Brahmin, who slaughters the Kshatriya kings. It is described as a terrible genocide, with five great lakes filled with blood. …
-
Articles
Ramayana: The World’s First Whodunnit
One of the most amazing things about the Ramayana — which makes it special — is that it is perhaps the world’s first mystery novel, a whodunnit. It is a process involving Jatayu, Kabandha, Shabari, Sugriva, and finally Jatayu’s elder brother, Sampati…
-
Articles
How Is Knowledge Transmitted?
Knowledge can be transmitted orally or in the form of texts. Hindus preferred the oral form…
-
Articles
Layer Upon Layer of the Ramayana
Ramayana story exists in layers, capturing key transformations of Hindu society. …
-
Articles
Kubera, the Refugee From Lanka
When the Constitution of India was first published, over 75 years ago, it included many artworks. Amongst them was one showing Kubera, Ravana’s brother and the king of wealth and yakshas (nature spirits), fleeing from Lanka. It is often mistaken for Hanuman burning Lanka, but there are no flames of a burning city or a…
-
Articles
Royal Ram Hunted Deer, Not Lions
Ram of the Ramayana is a great archer but he is never depicted in art or story as hunting lions or tigers. That is strange, considering his royal status. …
-
Articles
Where Is Bharat In Sugriva’s Atlas?
The Valmiki Ramayana has layers of information, included in different historical periods, that saw the location of Sugrivaʼs kingdom and Ravanaʼs kingdom shift. …
-
Articles
Dharma and the Dharma-sankat Of Ram
Ram is obliged to his people’s needs. That is the dharma of a king (raja). Ram is also obliged to his wife’s needs. That is the dharma of a husband. Which obligation takes priority?…
-
Articles
Insulting Ravan, Bollywood Style
Bollywood has been trying hard to outdo Valmiki’s genius. However, Valmiki was a great sage who aimed to communicate profound truths through the Ramayana, often referred to as the fifth Veda…
-
Articles
A Bow Made of Bones
Those who depict Rama holding a bow, and insist he ate a plant-based diet in the forest, often reject the idea of the composite bow…
-
Articles
Recognising Hanuman
Stories use metaphors. Concepts become plots. Ideas become characters, even landscapes. …
-
Articles
Secularising Ramayana and Mahabharata
When we study Buddhist and Jain lore, we realise many stories there are quite similar to stories found in Ramayana and Mahabharata…
