Philosophical Facts In The Ramayana

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Stories from mythology portray the sublime essence of the supreme truth. It is for this reason that mythology has become an integral part of Hinduism encapsulating and sugar coating the lofty ideas for easy digestion or comprehension by the aspirant. It is a tendency to just not look beyond the story or the spiritual thought embedded in it which is the actual import of the story itself. Swami Vivekananda throws light on the underlying essence of Ramayana, thereby exposing the seeker to a new angle of thought rationalizing the facts in it to expose its philosophical aspect.

Swami Vivekananda in the course of a conversation unveiled the higher truth in 'Ramayana'. The different characters in Ramayana explains different philosophical notions. Swami Vivekananda explained that Shri Rama is the personification of the Paramatman, the absolute reality or the self. Sita is the portrayal of the Jivatman or the individual soul or the false notion of the true self or 'I'. 'Lanka' where Sita was held by Ravana is the body, mind complex which has the individual soul imprisoned within it. The Rakshasas represent the characteristic traits or Gunas of the body like the Sattva, Tamas and Rajas.

Vibishana is the portrayal of Sattva guna which is sheer goodness, Ravana of Rajas which is lust, passion, malice, avarice, etc and Kumbhakarna of Tamas which is darkness, stupor, lethargy etc. Hanuman is the portrayal of the 'Guru' as he is the one who presents Sita(Individual soul) with the Rama's ring which is the Brahma Jnana. Brahma Jnana or the supreme wisdom is that which unites the Jivatma with the Paramatma.

Sita(Individual soul) thus confined within the boundaries of Lanka(Body, mind complex) constantly struggled against the gunas(Rakshasas) pertaining to the body for union with Rama or Paramatma. Hence with the help of Hanuman (Guru) who shows her Rama's ring(Brahma Jnana) ultimately joins Rama(Paramatman).

In a different connotation, the ten heads of Ravana represent the bloated ego, the annihilation of which only would lead to realization. Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi has stated that Ravana( individual soul, or the false I) could attain self realization ultimately as his thoughts were always with Rama (Reality, true self, paramatman) though they were tainted with hatred. Bhagavan Ramana's prime teaching is to know one's true self and to abide in it.

Hence we aspirants instead of speculating about the authenticity of mythologies as to whether they are facts or fiction should venture to unearth the underlying spiritual treasure. After all spirituality is the kernel of religion.