Ramayana's Influence

[aashish108]

In the following link:

http://www.bvashram.org/articles/71/1/The-Ramayana-throughout-south-east-Asia

It says that:

 

 

I was curious as to why the Ramayana seems to have been embraced culturally by much of Southeast Asia. If you look at Bali, Cambodia, etc., you see that much of their art, dance, etc., revolves around this Indian epic. How is it that the Ramayana has taken hold throughout south east Asia while other Indian traditions are not as strong. What is it in the Ramayana that speaks to such a vast range of people?

 

The reason why the Ramayana is present in every asian country is because the pastimes of Ramachandra took place in each of those countries in different Treta yugas.

...

 

In other Treta yugas, Ravana's kingdom was located in other places, such as Indonesia and China. In Indonesia, Ravana's main form was that of a bear, and in China he utilized the body of a dragon. In Valmiki Ramayana we find that Ravana had a wife from every species of life, and he assumed suitable bodies to interact with them. But his original form in this Treta yuga was human-like. In the other Treta yugas his original form was not always human-like, as was the case in China and Indonesia.

 

In the Puranas we also find descriptions of Rama avataras from other Treta yugas. There is even a conversation between Sita Devi and Rama, where Rama is refusing to allow Sita to enter the forest with Him. In response Sita Devi says, "If you don't let me come, You will be the first Rama who doesn't allow His wife to accompany Him into the forest." There are several other places where such conversations take place.

So, my question is, is that wouldn't the partial devestiation destroy any evidence of Ramayana embedded within the cultures of Indonesia and China in this present yuga cycle? A partial devestiation occurs after every kali-yuga, which destroys almost everything on Planet Earth apart from the continents. Am I making any sense over here!??

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

The Valmiki Ramayana is from the 24th Chatur yuga cycle, whereas we are in the 28th chatur yuga cycle. So even Valmiki Ramayana has been preserved over many yugas. This is mentioned in Vishnu Purana.

 

Vishnu Purana also happens to be a book from a previous Chatur yuga, compiled by Parashara (when he was Vyasa). It is the only Purana not compiled by the present Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. That is another example of an ancient book being preserved over multiple yugas.