Transcript OVERVIEW - University of Mauritius

THE ROLE OF RAMCHARITMANAS
IN SPREADING UNIVERSAL
VALUES IN A MULTICULTURAL
MAURITIAN SOCIETY
PREETI KIRAN 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
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What is Ramcharitmanas?
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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
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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
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Basis of culture: Morality, Spirituality and Ethics
Blend of cultures – human, demon, animals and
Demigods
Stresses on ‘Unity in 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
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Morality : Foundation of our Existence
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Downfall of mankind
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Heading towards Moral Bankruptcy
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
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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
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Mauritius is a multi-religious, multi-cultural,
multi- lingual and 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
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RAM: Ideal man, the giver of bliss, the epitome of righteousness.
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SITA : Woman who gets carried away by worldly attraction (golden
deer) and goes beyond the code of conduct (Lakshman Rekha).
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VIBHISHAN: A demon which does ethical actions.
 Action makes a man.
 Action must go beyond caste, creed and religion.
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HANUMAN: Portrayed in the form of a Monkey
 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)
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DASHRUTH: A man of word.
 Lost his life to keep his promise
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BHARAT and LAKSHMAN: Symbolises universal brotherhood, devotion and
sacrifice.
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RAVAN: Symbolises arrogance and pride.
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SURPANAKHA: Sister of Ravan
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Giver of pain
Embodiment of desire and lust
MARICHA: Symbolises the worldly attraction.
The characters of Ramacharitmanas are symbolic and they have many implications.
Contemporary Relevance of
Ramcharitmanas
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‘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)
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The solution to problems of modern time:
 Family problems
 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.
Depicts the journey from ‘Nar’ ( human) to ‘Narayan’
(embodiment of divine qualities)
Impact of Values
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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
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Objectives of survey:
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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)
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Popularity of Ramcharitmanas
Not Familiar
Scarcely
Familiar
Series1
Moderately
Familiar
Very
Familiar
0%
20%
40%
60%
Results of survey (cont’d)
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Universal Appeal of Ramcharitmanas
80%
70%
60%
50%
Series1
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Yes
No
No Idea
Results of survey (cont’d)
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Its contribution in bringing unity in Mauritian
Society
Yes
No
No Idea
Results of survey (cont’d)
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Its contribution in spreading moral and ethical
values
No Idea
16%
No
10%
Yes
74%
Main Teachings of Ramcharitmanas
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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
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