THE ROLE OF RAMCHARITMANAS

IN SPREADING UNIVERSAL
VALUES IN A MULTICULTURAL
MAURITIAN SOCIETY

PREETI KIRAN HEMRAZ-

HEMRAZ-HURDOYAL
 OVERVIEW

What is Ramcharitmanas?

Greatness of Ramcharitmanas

Cultural Aspect of Ramcharitmanas

Purpose of Ethical Values in this contemporary age

Its Role in eradicating evils

Relevance of Ramcharitmanas to the Mauritian Society

Symbolism of Characters in Ramcharitmanas

Contemporary Relevance of Ramcharitmanas and its Values

Impact of Values

Results of Survey

Main Teachings of Ramcharitmanas

Conclusion
 What is Ramcharitmanas?

Most popular and timeless epic poem

Sacred scripture: Depicts the Art of living

Written by the Medieval Indian Saint poet of
16th Century, GOSWAMI TULSIDAS

In Mauritius, commonly known as ‘Ramayan’

Classical Masterpiece of world literature.

A treasure of knowledge which has the power
to educate people
 Greatness of Ramcharitmanas

A lamp of divine guidance for scholars and
common people.

Aims at empowering the human dignity

Lays great emphasis on Dharma
(Righteousness) and moral conduct.

Spreads ethical values and combats social evils

Depicts the essence of human life
Cultural Aspect of Ramcharitmanas

Basis of culture: Morality, Spirituality and Ethics

Blend of cultures – human, demon, animals and
Demigods

‘Unity in Diversity’
Stresses on ‘Unity Diversity’

Vasudhaiva kutumbakam : the whole world is one
family

Salient features of Indian Culture

Sixteen ‘Sanskaras’ in the life of an individual – from
womb till tomb
 Purpose of Ethical Values in this
Contemporary Age

Morality : Foundation of our Existence

Heading towards Moral Bankruptcy

Downfall of mankind

Human mind, language, behaviour, actions are corrupt1.

‘Kalyug’ age : Evil dominates and righteousness has
to suffer2.

More materialistic and individualistic approach
towards life : Decline in humanity and morality

Communal riots, Violence, Terrorism
Ref: 1: Gandhi
2: Bhagvad Gita
 Its Role in Eradicating Evils

The Concept of Idealism

Ram is portrayed as an ideal person who does his duties

irrespective of circumstances.

Follow the Path of Righteousness

No violation of moral conduct

The Law of Karma (Action) : Universal Law of Action

As you sow, so, you will reap.

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

The Power of Humility

Ravan was very powerful but arrogance and unethical

means became the cause of his death.

Relevance of Ramcharitmanas to the
Mauritian Society

Mauritius is a multi-
multi-religious, multi-
multi-cultural,
multi-- lingual and multi-
multi multi-ethnic society.

The Epic depicts the ideal life of a
multicultural society.

Provides solutions/remedies to societal
problems.

Lays emphasis on social unity and universal
progress
 Symbolism of Characters in
Ramcharitmanas

RAM:: Ideal man, the giver of bliss, the epitome of righteousness.
RAM

SITA : Woman who gets carried away by worldly attraction (golden

deer) and goes beyond the code of conduct (Lakshman Rekha).

VIBHISHAN: A demon which does ethical actions.

VIBHISHAN:

Action makes a man.

Action must go beyond caste, creed and religion.

HANUMAN: Portrayed in the form of a Monkey

HANUMAN:

Monkeys are restless by nature but if they have a target in life then
they can equally make wonders as Hanuman did.

He depicts the Human mind

Hanuman stands for absolute renunciation.

 Symbolism of Characters in
Ramcharitmanas (cont’d)

DASHRUTH: A man of word.
DASHRUTH:

Lost his life to keep his promise

BHARAT and LAKSHMAN: Symbolises

Symbolises universal brotherhood, devotion and
sacrifice.

RAVAN:: Symbolises arrogance and pride.

RAVAN

Giver of pain

SURPANAKHA:: Sister of Ravan

SURPANAKHA

Embodiment of desire and lust

MARICHA:: Symbolises the worldly attraction.

MARICHA

The characters of Ramacharitmanas are symbolic and they have many implications.
 Contemporary Relevance of
Ramcharitmanas

‘Universal’ Appeal of Ramcharitmanas and its
values

Synthesis of different cultures

Emphasis on respect, love, tolerance for all
communities

Emphasis on globalisation and unity

Life of Rama revolves around elevating the
human mind and promoting righteousness.
 Contemporary Relevance of
Ramcharitmanas (cont’d)

The solution to problems of modern time:

Family problems

Socio
Socio--cultural problems

Political front – the concept of Ram Rajya

Economic Problems

Environmental Problems

Destroys the myth that Ramcharitmanas is the treasure of the

Hindu Society only.

Its contribution to the evolution of a peaceful society.

‘Nar’’ ( human) to ‘Narayan
Depicts the journey from ‘Nar ‘Narayan’’
(embodiment of divine qualities)
 Impact of Values

Purify the mind and remove all impurities

Make the society a better place to live

Enable a person to achieve his real goal in life

Cut across all cultures and help in establishing
one culture: Humanity

Shapes the personality of human being
 Results of Survey

Objectives of survey:
survey:

Popularity and Universal appeal of the epic

Impact on : (1) Individual (2) Family (3) Society
(4) Politics

Its contribution in spreading moral and ethical
values

Its contribution in bringing unity in Mauritian
Society
 Results of survey (cont’d)

Popularity of Ramcharitmanas

Not Familiar

Scarcely
Familiar
Series1
Moderately
Familiar

Very
Familiar

0% 20% 40% 60%

 Results of survey (cont’d)

Universal Appeal of Ramcharitmanas

80%
70%
60%
50%
40% Series1

30%
20%
10%
0%
Yes No No Idea
 Results of survey (cont’d)

Its contribution in bringing unity in Mauritian
Society

Yes
No
No Idea
 Results of survey (cont’d)

Its contribution in spreading moral and ethical
values

No Idea
16%

No
10%

Yes
74%
Main Teachings of Ramcharitmanas

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – Globalisation

Concept of Ram Rajya – the reign of righteousness

Morality: Essence of Human life

Character is man made which can be improved

Unity in Diversity

Universal Brotherhood and peace

Tolerance

Righteous Behaviour

Strict adherence towards duty

Control of senses leads to a balanced state of mind
 CONCLUSION
“ In fact, the Ramayan and the Mahabharata are
the two encyclopedias of Ancient Aryan life
and wisdom, portraying the ideal civilisation,
which humanity has yet to aspire after.”

- Swami Vivekananda
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION
 THNAK YOU

VIKAS DUBEY (B44)

MBA (M&S) 2009-
2009-11
Vikas.dubey@hotmail.com