Ramayan or Ramayana:
Ramayan is the story of Ram, composed by the Sage Valmiki around 500 BC and which has been retold in different versions many times thereafter.
For many people, “Ram” is identified as a chant, a magic word and the divine personified, the omnipresent, who is there in every grain of sand, a noble king, a gentle prince, the blue deity who roamed across the country carrying the people of different cultures along with him, wherever he went.
Such is the power and the appeal of this captivating story of a Prince, who suffers many adversities in life that it has a mesmerising effect on everyone who reads it or recounts this story, that it remains unsurpassed by any other mythological epic.
The popularity of Ramayan:
The Ramayan is loved by millions, not only in India, but all across the globe. Early migrants to Surinam, Fiji, Guiana, Mauritius, the West Indies etc. carried the story in their hearts, that was a source of strength to them – living away from their motherland. Many Asian countries like Burma, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mongolia etc. have adopted and internalised the Epic giving it local adaptations/versions.
Different Versions & Adaptations:
Within India too, different cultural and ethnic groups have adapted this Epic to the local cultural frameworks, selectively highlighting certain events or characters in their narratives and thereby enriching the great Ramayan tradition.
While the Valmiki Ramayan is in Sanskrit and follows a simple narrative, there are other versions in different languages – Aadhyatm Ramayan, supposedly composed by Vyas, Kamba Ramayan written by the poet Kambar in the 12th Century in Tamil, Krittivasi Ramayan written by Krittibas Ojha in Bengali et al.
Nevertheless, the overwhelmingly popular version is the “Ramcharitmanas” written by Sant Tulsidas in the 15th Century in Awadhi. This version emphasises on the supreme human qualities, the power of devotion (or “bhakti”) and the importance of the popular social norms and proper conduct etc. The focus of Tulsidas’s version is more on how the righteous carry out their duties and responsibilities.
The basic story-line:
The basic storyline, as narrated by Valmiki is the story of Ram, the Prince of Ayodhya, who practices the ideal code of conduct. The progressively nuanced narration of Ramayan has many instances that reflect upon equanimity and mental equipoise depicting Ram as “Maryada Purushottam Ram” (meaning “Ram, who is the ideal human being”).
The Sage Maharishi Vishwamitra takes Ram and his brother Laxman as his disciples, teaching them the intricacies of using arms and weapons. One day they reach Mithila, where the King, Janak, came to welcome them and he was spell-bound by the radiance of the two Ayodhya princes. Before their visit to Mithila, King Janak and his wife Sunaina had announced that they would marry their beautiful daughter Sita to anyone who could mount an arrow on the “Shiv-Dhanush” ( the bow & arrow of the Hindu god Shiv). Ram did this effortlessly. King Janak’s happiness knew no bounds and he happily married Sita to Ram.
Ram’s father, King Dashrath wanted to declare his eldest son Ram as the “Yujraj” (“Crown Prince”) of Ayodhya. But, Manthara, the maid of Queen Kaikeyi (one of the three wives of King Dashrath to whom Dashrath had promised that he would grant her two wishes, whenever she requested him to grant them), poisoned Kaikeyi’s mind by confiding in her mistress that King Dashrath had been partial to Ram and that Kaikeyi’s own son Bharat should be made the future King of Ayodhya.
Kaikeyi demanded that Bharat be made the “Yuvraj” of Ayodhya as he first wish and that Ram be banished from Ayodhya for a period of 14 years.
King Dashrath was crest-fallen from these two requests, but was unable to persuade Kaikeyi to change her mind. Ultimately, he had to grant her two wishes and declare Bharat as the “Yuvraj” and banish Ram from the Kingdom of Ayodhya for 14 years.
Ram who loved and respected his father very much, left Ayodhya accompanied by his wife Sita and his brother, Laxman.
Ram, Sita and Laxman had found shelter in Chitrakoot. Bharat soon followed them to Chitrakoot, and begged Ram to return to Ayodhya, while also informing him that heir father Dashrath, heart-broken with banishing Ram from the kingdom had passed away. Ram was firm in his decision not to return to Ayodhya before 14 years as ordered by his father. Bharat, then requested Ram to give him his “wooden paduka” (“wooden slippers”) which he kept on the throne of Ayodhya for 14 years, symbolic that he was ruling during this period on behalf of his elder brother Ram.
In the Epic–
“Kewat” is the boatman who ferried people across the holy River Ganga (or Ganges). It was in his boat that Ram, sita and Laxman crossed the river.
“Shabari” was the disciple of Sage Matang, who lived near Pampa lake. She was too old and sick and her only desire was to meet Ram before she passed away. She was so overwhelmed to see Ram in her hut that she fed him sweet berries after tasting them. This story is known as the episode of “Shabari Ke Joothe Ber” in the Ramayan.
Later, due to an unfortunate turn of events, Sita was taken away forcefully by Ravan, the King of Lanka. The valiant bird “Jatayu” answered to her screams by attacking Ravan’s chariot but Ravan cut off his wings. Wounded, he fell to the ground and struggled to keep alive. He passed away after informing Ram about the catastrophe.
The God Hanuman was sent to search for Sita in Lanka. He took a leap towards the sky and flew towards Lanka. He saw her in a garden “Ashok Vatika” and appeared before her cautiously and carefully, introducing himself. He showed a ring which was Ram’s to gain her trust. She was overwhelmed and had tears of joy in her eyes on knowing that her location had been found by Ram’s emissary.
After conquering Lanka with the help of the “Vanar” Kingdom, Ram returned to Ayodhya and ruled for a long time. During the period of his reign known as “Ram Rajya” “Ram’s reign”), Ayodhya became very prosperous and there was no sorrow. People were happy and content. Ram was an able king who believed in justice and equality.
In the “Uttar Kand” of Tulsidas’s “Ramcharitmanas” and in Bhasa’s “Uttar Rancharit” the story further progresses depicting Sita’s life in the jungle in the ashram of the Sage Valmiki.
Ramayan is a story of Maryada Purushottam Ram, upholder of righteous values of Dharma. This is a story of an ideal king, a noble ruler, a protector of social values and above all of a brave and gentle person. The story has been told and retold in different times and different places . The inspiring , empowering and enchanting story will enthrall millions for all times.
The Stamp set released on the occasion:
The 11 Stamp set and related items were released on 22.09.2017 by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Tulsi Manas Mandir at Varanasi in the evening. This place was chosen for the release because this temple honours the works of Tulsidas.
The First Day Cover (FDC) issued on the Ramayan
It shows at left. Tulsidas writing his version of the Epic in a garden. The 11 stamp issued in the set are placed together and Cancelled with a New Delhi Head Office stamp dated “22.09.2017”.
In the centre top is the logo of the Swachh Bharat Campaign ” (“Clean India Mission”) with its slogan “Ek Kadam Swachta Ki Ore” (meaning “A Step Towards Cleanliness”).
The Miniature Sheet (MS) issued on the occasion is titled “Ramayan” in both Hindi & English
The Whole set showing the FDC with Cancelled stamps. the Miniature Sheet (MS) & the Sheetlet of Stamps issued at the time of release of the stamps
The Information Brochure issued by India Post with the release of this stamp set
The individual Stamps:
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Ram stringing the bow of the Hindu God Shiv and winning Sita’s hand in marriage, who waits nearby with a garland in hand
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Dashrath, with a heavy heart, exiling Lord Ram for a period of 14 years
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Bharat visiting Chitrakoot and requests Ram to return to Ayodhya and Become King of Ayodhya, which is rightfully Ram’s to rule
“Kevat”, the Boat-man who is ferrying Ram, Sita and Lakshman over the River Ganges
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/- shows Ram consoling a dying Jatayu who is narrating the tale of Sita’s abduction by Ravan and his attempts to save her from being abducted/kidnapped
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Shabari feeding the sweet Ber after tasting them
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows the God Hanuman at the Ashok Vatika presenting Sita with Ram’s ring, as an emissary
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows a “Setu”(Bridge) being built across the Indian Ocean. to Lanka. The word Ram appears on every brick/stone being used for the bridge construction, which makes the stone lighter in weight and being able to float. Meanwhile, Ram touches a squirrel and pets its back. It is believed that the black lines on its back are made with Ram’s palm passing over its back.
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows the God Hanuman bringing the mountain Dronagiri to Lanka, flying through the air. On this mountain the herbs were growing which brought Laxman back to consciousness from a near comatose condition after being injured in a battle with Ravan’s army.
The above Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-shows Ram, with the assistance of soldiers from the Vanar kingdom, attacking Ravan’s troops
The above Stamp of 1500 Paise or Rs.15/-shows Ram’s Darbar (Ram’s Court), in Ayodhya, after winning the Lanka War and bringing Sita safely back to Ayodhya. While Ram and Sita sit on the throne, in attendance are the God Hanuman and Ram’s brothers Laxman and Bharat
The Sheetlet of 11 stamps also carries an enlarged image of the Ram Darbar.
Technical Data:
Issuer: Department of Posts, India or India Post
Denomination of stamps: 155 Paise or Rs.15/- (one stamp), 500 Paise or Rs.5/- (Ten stamps)
No. of Miniature Sheets issued: 300,000No. of Sheetlets printed: 700,000
Printing Process: Wet Offset
Printer: Security Printing Press, Hyderabad