The Great Epic Ramayana and its impact in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

The Ramayana is one of the great Indian epic written by Valmiki. In Sanskrit literature it is known as Adi-Kavya and the writer Adi-Kavi. This Ramayana contains the history of Rama and royal tradition in 24,000 verses and in seven Kandas. In these seven Kandasthe Sundara Kanda and Yuddha Kanda describes the incidents that took place in Srilanka. There is a special bond between India and Srilanka geographically, historically, culturally and spiritually- The Ramayanais one such link. It is learnt from Ramayana that Sita who was separated from Rama, was brought to Srilanka that the country was ruled by king Ravana. Ramayana links up India and Srilankawithin one spiritual compass, it also emphasizes the basic commonness of the two major cultures of Srilanka- Sinhala Buddhist culture and Tamil Hindu culture. The connection between Srilanka and Ramayana are depicted through the illustrations such as Hanumans search for Sita in Srilanka and the construction of Rama Bridge from Rameswaram by monkey forces. Further, evidence for this relationship can be noted from instance such as Asokavanam is located in Srilanka; the places Asokavanam, Sitaelliya, Ravana ella ; where Sita is believed to have lived; Hanuman worshiped; and Vibishana’s coronation. Ramayana is a great epic at the same time first literature in Sanskrit literary tradition. Influence of literature have impact on Srilankan literary tradition they are Arasakesari’sRaguvamsa in Tamil and Kumaradasa’sJanakiharana in Sanskrit. The Impact of Ramayana could also be seen in the personal names Srilankans have. Similarly, various literary traditions, uniqueness and spiritualities are continuously found in Srilankan history and connected to Ramayana as impact and as story tradition. This research is based on the original text of Ramayana and research is carried out through the descriptive and literary research methodology.