Development of Hinduism

SR No.: 007303
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M M Ninan
Publisher: M M Ninan
Total Pages: 582
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 45 MB

Page 355

14. THE CONCEPT OF AVATARS
beings empowered with magical powers acquired through spiritual knowledge - Vidyadharas. They may become avarice or proud. They are not inhuman. Ravana is explained as a Vidyadhara (Scholar) King. Ravana is presented as a very devout Jain and virtuous. We should remember that these stories were written almost at the same time or even earlier than the Valmiki Ramayana of Vaisnavas. (See Ramayana in Jain Tradition - Umakant P Shah; Jaina Puranas: A Puranic Counter Tradition, Papers on Jaina Studies - Padmanabh S Jaini; http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~pluralsm/affiliates/jainism/article/antiquity.htm)
According to the Jain version, Ravana and Raksas were highly cultured people belonging to the race of the Vidyadharas and were great devotees of Jina. But the Hindu tradition depicted them as evil natured and irreligious demons because they were antagonistic to the sacrificial cult of the Vedic sages. At the same time, they were defeated, therefore, they become the demons in the hands of the poets. Considering these two accounts together, it seems that the Vedic people denounced the Rakshas because they were the followers of Jainism or Buddhism or later Christians.
POPULARITY OF REGIONAL RAMAYANAS
TULSIDAS (1574)
PREMANAND 17TH
KRTTI VAS 14THC
SRIDHARA 18THC.
BALARAMA DAS 16TH c.
RANGANATHA 12TH - 15TH C. NARAHARI 16TH
KAMBAN 11TH C.
ELUTTACAN 17TH
The various Ramayana Stories with their dates as given by Syracuse University Studies
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