Title: Rama: The Human Expression of the Divine
Author: Chandrika.
Published: 2017
ISBN No: 978-81-8462-138-9
Pages: 548
Publisher: Vakils, Feffer and Simons Pvt. Ltd.
Price: 2500
The book is a pictorial compilation of characterization of Rama in literature of Valmiki’s legacy and classical Indian art traditions. The character of Rama has been influencing and inspiring humankind for centuries, the main reason being that it claims to furnish the concept of the ideal man. The book adheres to the conviction that one needs to have unflinching faith for understanding the beauty of the Ramayana and the real greatness and religiosity of the Rama. The central premise of the book is that Rama must be understood as a great hero, the ideal man, the soul of religion and still a human being. Thus, the author seems to be making a case that the characterization of Rama is a continuous story of the struggle for the glorification and fine establishment of the Hindu ideals.
At the outset, the author claims that she is well aware of the controversies that exist over the relevance of the epic and especially the character of Rama; yet she chooses to tread this difficult path because she believes that beyond the criticisms it is possible to construct a more sympathetic understanding of Rama; a hero who struggled with his weaknesses and moral commitments. The book traces the events of Rama’s life from his childhood to his matrimony, an exiled warrior, a joyful wanderer, a grief-stricken husband, his relationship with Banaras, a duty bound king, vanquisher of Ravana and the maker of a righteous kingdom the Ram Rajya. The narration remains largely faithful to Valmiki’s version. It makes a colourful read with illustrations and paintings from various art traditions such as Tanjore, Pahari, Kangra, Rajasthani (Mewar Ramayana), Mughal miniature art to modern art of early 20th century. Every page is painstakingly illustrated with one or more paintings that provide a visual treat. Yet they serve as mere decoration; there is no analysis, interpretation or theoretical engagement with the works of art. The book also extensively contains versus and its translations from Valamiki’s Ramayana and its versions along side its pictorial depictions. The compilation of pictures and versus is the only strength of the book which otherwise in content is a repetition of popular version of the epic.
Taking forward the agenda of universalizing Hinduism and the ideal of ram rajya, the book exalts Rama as the pinnacle of perfection and makes a strong case of defending the quest of thinkers on religion who attempt to convince people that there is God in human beings and that there is a human being in God. The process of recognizing a human in divinity entails expostulation of the secrets of deities, Gods or Brahman. The main intention is to deify the human being and prescribe a method that can lead the society to its ultimate good and physical happiness in the empirical world. Thus, divine characteristics are recognised in human beings and is given the form of reincarnation. They are presented with a human form with emphasis on qualities like wisdom, justice, generosity and all moral excellence. The sole purpose being that human behaviour be modelled on the lines of Rama as a great man, not the divinity incarnate. They aim to compose a model of an ideal nobleman and women and prescribe the duties of married life, duties towards family and duties towards society at large. The book at the end prescribes the very problematic thesis of how there is much to imitate and learn from the characterization of Rama as a student, householder, warrior and God; it also champions the popular idea of a Ram Rajya. It completely lacks a critical approach or analysis and somewhat awkwardly venerates Rama as the symbol of capacities, capabilities, high strength, character, weakness and mutual contradictions. It urges one to see in Rama a human personality, one that is contradictory and weak. On one hand, he is an ideal devotee of his father, on the other
The book at the end prescribes the very problematic thesis of how there is much to imitate and learn from the characterization of Rama as a student, householder, warrior and God; it also champions the popular idea of a Ram Rajya. It completely lacks a critical approach or analysis and somewhat awkwardly venerates Rama as the symbol of capacities, capabilities, high strength, character, weakness and mutual contradictions. It urges one to see in Rama a human personality, one that is contradictory and weak. On one hand he is an ideal devotee of his father, on the other hand there is a feeling of dissatisfaction towards his behaviour. He has a deep love for Bharata and yet he has his doubts, his love for Sita is lofty yet he strongly condemns her. He kills Vali inappropriately, does not resist when Sita enters the fire, has vested interest in giving refuge to Vibhishana; thus Rama is characterized as someone who has contradictions in his character. This creates hurdles in understanding him as an incarnate of the Divine. The book seems to be putting forward a thesis that if one evaluates him as a human being these mutually contrary behaviors seem natural. Rama as an individual has made synthesis of idealism and practical approach of life. This synthesis gives birth to contradictions and reveals human element in his character. Valmiki and so has the author maintained a psychological reality of his character and made one perceive Rama as a man of action. Over issues of renunciation of Sita, the author urges us to take a sympathetic perspective and urges the reader to understand the pain and anguish that Rama went through to make the choice. Thus, the book recommends that he be revered as a man who strongly believes that dharma and performance of duties comes prior to any delicate feelings.
Though the pictorial journey may interest students of mythology and classical art, in content, the book keeps intact all the patriarchal and caste biases. Infact the author also strongly defends them and prescribes the need for such subordination to build ideal familial relationships and political state! It is surely one more addition to the literature that gives an account of Rama’s journey from a leader of a Kshatriya clan, glorified as Gods by the poets in their sacred works as the Supreme Power that is absolute Brahman and ultimately seems to justify Rama’s veneration as a national leader!
