What is the Śrī Rāmāyaṇa?
The Śrī Rāmāyaṇa, composed by Vālmīki, is not merely an epic poem—it is a śāstra that teaches dharma through lived example.
“Ādi Kāvyam” (the first epic) and also as a manual of śaraṇāgati (complete surrender).
For the SriVaishnava tradition, the Rāmāyaṇa is revered as
It narrates the divine life of Śrī Rāma, the incarnation of Śrīman Nārāyaṇa, who descended to earth to establish dharma, protect the righteous, and teach humanity the ideals of righteous living.
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Śrī Rāma – The Ideal of Dharma
Śrī Rāma is described as:
= Maryādā Puruṣottama (the perfect upholder of dharma)
= A compassionate son
= A devoted husband
= A selfless king
= The ultimate refuge for those who surrender
Every event in the Rāmāyaṇa reflects how dharma is to be lived, not merely discussed.
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Rāmāyaṇa as a Śāstra of Śaraṇāgati
In SriVaishnava understanding, the Rāmāyaṇa teaches:
= Bhagavān personally comes to protect those who surrender
= Even a single act of surrender is enough
= Compassion overrides all faults
The declaration of Śrī Rāma:
“Sakṛd eva prapannāya tavāsmīti ca yācate…”
is regarded as the very foundation of prapatti (śaraṇāgati).
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Why Study the Rāmāyaṇa?
The Rāmāyaṇa teaches us:
= How to live in the world with righteousness
= How to surrender to Bhagavān without fear
= How grace triumphs over effort
For a SriVaishnava, studying the Rāmāyaṇa is not optional—it is a spiritual necessity.
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Structure of the Śrī Rāmāyaṇa
The Rāmāyaṇa traditionally consists of seven kāṇḍas:
= Bāla Kāṇḍa
= Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa
= Araṇya Kāṇḍa
= Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa
= Sundara Kāṇḍa
= Yuddha Kāṇḍa
= Uttara Kāṇḍa
Each kāṇḍa reveals a distinct aspect of Bhagavān’s grace and dharma.