An Epic In Stone: Magnificent Hazara Rama Temple

Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi is a small but beautiful temple is located at the center of the royal area. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. It was once the private temple of the kings and the royal family of Vijayanagara. The temple is famous for the lovely bas relics and panels depicting the story of the epic Ramayana.

The temple got its name Hazara Rama (a thousand Rama) Temple owing to this multitude of these Ramayana panels on its walls.

This name appears apt as once you enter the main temple complex, you are surrounded by bas-relief depictions and carvings of the many characters from the epic Ramayan.

There are two huge gateways that give access to the temple compound. The interior of the temple has ornately sculpted columns. An empty pedestal with three holes signifies that the temple once had idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. There is a smaller shrine inside the temple complex with similar epic wall carvings.

The Hazara Rama temple is believed to have been built in 15 century. The earliest inscription in the temple mentions “Deva Raya”. Another inscription mentions donation by Queen Annaladevi in 1416. Both carvings could also be references to Deva Raya II (reign 1422-46). The temple was later expanded and new parts were added in the 16th century.

The temple stands as an example of the excellent craftsmanship of Vijayanagara’s sculptors.

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Source: Pragyata, Karnataka Travels and Talkative Man.

Pic Credits: @kamsthetourist, ancientpriest

All images belong to their respective owners.

In which age did Vishwamitra teach Rama?

 Rama is stated to be less than 16 years old when he went with Vishwamitra. He stayed with Vishwamitra for less than a month.

My lotus-eyed Rama is still less than sixteen years of age. I do not see him as being capable of fighting against the rakshasas.

• 1 (19), Bala Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

Rama’s time with Vishwamitra

Day 1 - Rama and Lakshman leaves with Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra taught them Bala and Atibala mantra. The three spend the night on the banks of Sarayu.

Day 2 - They reached ashrama of Kama located at the confluence of Sarayu and Ganga and spent the night there.

Day 3 - The trio cross the river and reached a dense forest in it's southern bank. Here Rama slew the rakshasi Tataka. That night, they resided in the forest.

Day 4 - Vishwamitra imparts the knowledge of various Divyastras to Rama. The trio arrives in Siddhashrama.

Day 5 - Day 10 - Rama and Lakshman protects Vishwamitra’s sacrifice. On the final day, Rama slays Subahu and defeats Maricha.

Day 11 - Vishwamitra takes Rama and Lakshmana to Mithila to see Shiva’s bow. That night they camped near Shona river.

Day 12 - The trio camps at the banks of river Ganga. Vishwamitra narrates the story of the descent of Ganga.

Day 13 - The cross the river and arrived at the city of Vishala on its northern bank. They spent the night there.

Day 14 - The trio arrives in Mithila. Rama saves Ahilya. Janaka and others welcome the trio in Mithila. Narration of the story of Vishwamitra.

Day 15 - Rama breaks Shiva's bow and Janaka declares him as eligible to marry Sita. Messangers send to Ayodhya to invite Dasharatha for the marriage.

Day 18 - Janaka’s messangers arrive in Ayodhya and informed everyone of Rama’s success.

Day 23 - Dasharatha and royal party from Ayodhya arrives in Mithila.

Day 27 - Marriage of Rama and his brothers with Sita and her sisters.

Day 28 - Vishwamitra bids farewell and leaves for the mountains.

Jatāyu’s final words to Rāma!

 Rāma and Lakshmana’s search for Sitā lead them to the place where lay a befallen warrior, who had just sacrificed his life to save Rāma’s beloved Sitā from the evil clutches of Rāvana - Jatāyu.

When Rāma’s eyes found the mutilated and blood soaked body of Jatāyu, he became suspicious for a moment. He reckoned that Jatāyu had killed and feasted on Sitā. With great anger in Rāma’s eyes, he moved amok forwards, nearing Jatāyu's body with every step.

When Jatāyu saw Rāma approaching him, he started apprising him about all that had transpired in his absence, blood flowing uncontrollably from his mouth. “O Ayushmāna, your beloved wife Sitā has been abducted and took away by Rāvana. In your absence, Rāvana came and caught hold of Sitā. At that moment, my eyes fell on her. Immediately, I flew towards Rāvana so as to save Sitā from Rāvana's grip. I confronted and fought Rāvana with all my might, his broken Bow and chariot lie nearby. But Rāvana cut my wings and now I lay here, counting moments to my end. O Rāma, I have been ambushed by Rāvana, kindly do not unleash any offensive on me again.” Jatāyu spoke with great effort.

When Rāma heard Jatāyu’s words, he was instantly overcome with greif and regret. He stepped forward and took Jatayu’s body in his arms with great care. Jatāyu had been a dear ally of King Dashrath and now he lay helpless in such a pitiable condition. Life was slipping away from Jatāyu's body. For one last time, Rāma asked Jatāyu about Sitā's whereabouts. Jatāyu told Rāma that Rāvana had taken Sitā to the southern direction. “The time at which Rāvana took Sitā was such a moment, when any stolen possession is bound to return to it's rightful possessor. Hence, you too shall gain Sitā back.”, reckoned Jatāyu.

Moments later, Jatāyu died. Jatāyu was venerable to Rāma akin to how Dashrath was. Hence, it only behoved Rāma to perform the last rites for Jatāyu the way he would do for his own father. Rāma and Lakshmana cremated Jatāyu with due honour. This was followed by giving Jalānjali for Jatāyu in the Godāvari river.

Finally bidding farewell to Jatāyu, Rāma and Lakshmana moved forward in their expedition to find and rescue Sitā.

Jai Shree Ram! 🪷🕉️🙏

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Source: Sarg 67–68, Aranya Kānd, Vālmiki Rāmāyana

If the real Sita was never kidnapped, then why did Rama question her character?

 This question seems to be based on Adhyatma Ramayana.

Creation of Maya Sita

Lord Shiva said—'Oh Parvati! Here, becoming aware of all the conspiracies of Ravana, Sri Ram advised Sita when they were alone, 'Oh Sita! Listen to what I have to tell you. Oh the auspicious one! Ravana will come to you disguised as a mendicant. Hence, by my orders, you must enter the holy fire leaving behind your lookalike shadow in this hut, and stay there in the fire in an invisible form for one year. After that, after the killing of Ravana, you shall get back to me once again.’

Hearing these words of Sri Ram, Sita did as she was told. She became invisible in fire, leaving behind a shadowy Sita.

• Canto 7, Aranya Kanda, Adhyatma Ramayana.

It was this Maya Sita whom Ravana kidnapped.

After Ravana was killed, it was Maya Sita who did Agni pravesha, not real Sita. When Maya Sita entered the fire, she disappeared and the real Sita was brought out by Agni Deva

‘Oh Hari (Sri Ram)! You had created an illusionary/shadowy Sita for the express purpose of destroying (i.e., killing) Ravana along with his sons, kiths and kins and comrades etc. Oh Lord! By doing so, you have removed the burden of this earth.The illusionary/shadowy Sita who was like an image of her real self has vanished after having accomplished the task for which she was created.’ Hearing these words of the fire God, Sri Ram worshipped and honoured him with great delight and a joyful heart and then he gladly accepted Janki (Sita) who was most happy and cheerful (at this happy turn of events).

• Canto 13, Lanka kanda, Adhyatma Ramayana.

So Lord Rama never questioned Sita’s character in Adhyatma Ramayana. The fire ordeal was merely a way to switch back Maya Sita with the real Sita.

ರಾವಣನ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಗುಣಗಳು ಯಾವುವು?

 

ರಾವಣ ಕೆಟ್ಟವನಲ್ಲ.

ಸಮಯ-ಸಂದರ್ಭ ಮತ್ತು ಧರ್ಮ-ಕರ್ಮ ಅವನಿಂದ ಕೆಲವು ತಪ್ಪು ಕೆಲಸವನ್ನ ಮಾಡಿಸಿದವು. ಅದರಿಂದ ಅವನು ಕೆಟ್ಟವನು ಎನ್ನುವ ಹಣೆಪಟ್ಟಿ ಹೊತ್ತುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾನೆ.

ಅವತಾರ ಪುರುಷರಾದಿಯಾಗಿ ಯಾವ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯೂ ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಕೆಟ್ಟವನೂ ಅಲ್ಲ ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯವನೂ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಅವರವರ ಕರ್ಮಾನುಸಾರವಾಗಿ ಧನಾತ್ಮಕ ಮತ್ತು ಋಣಾತ್ಮಕ ಗುಣಗಳನ್ನು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಹೊಂದಿರಲೇಬೇಕು.

• ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ರಾಮ-ರಾವಣರೂ ಹೊರತಲ್ಲ. ರಾವಣನ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಗುಣಗಳನ್ನು ಸ್ವತಃ ರಾಮನೇ ಒಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡು ಪ್ರಶಂಸಿಸಿದ ನಿದರ್ಶನ ರಾಮಾಯಣ ಮಹಾ ಗ್ರಂಥದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವಾಗಿದೆ.

ರಾವಣನ ಅಂತಹ ಕೆಲವು ಒಳ್ಳೆಯತನವನ್ನ ನೋಡೋಣ.

• ರಾವಣನೊಬ್ಬ ಮಹಾನ್ ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸ, ಕವಿ, ಸಂಗೀತ ಗಾರ, ವೀಣಾ ವಾದಕ ಮತ್ತು ಜ್ಯೋತಿಷ್ಯ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ ಹಾಗೂ ವೇದಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾರಂಗತನಾಗಿದ್ದನು.
• ಶಿವನಿಗೆ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಪ್ರಿಯವಾದ ತಾಂಡವ ನೃತ್ಯದ ಸಂಯೋಜನೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು ರಾವಣನೇ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ.
• ರಾವಣನು ಮಹಾನ್ ಆಡಳಿತಗಾರ ಮತ್ತು ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಜೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅತಿಯಾದ ಕಾಳಜಿ ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದ. ಆತನ ಆಡಳಿತವನ್ನು ಲಂಕಾದ ಸುವರ್ಣಯುಗ ಎಂದು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಲಾಗಿತ್ತು.
• ಸಾಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ರಾವಣನು ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಣನಿಗೆ ಜೀವನದ ಸತ್ಯ, ಸಾರ ಮತ್ತು ರಹಸ್ಯವನ್ನ ಹೇಳಿದನಲ್ಲದೆ ತನ್ನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಜ್ಞಾನವನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಧಾರೆ ಎರೆಯುತ್ತಾನೆ.
• ರಾಮನಿಂದ ಹತನಾಗಿ ಮೋಕ್ಷ ಪಡೆಯುವ ಸಲುವಾಗಿಯೇ ರಾವಣನು ಸೀತೆಯನ್ನು ಅಪಹರಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಅವನು ಸೀತೆಯನ್ನು ಸ್ಪರ್ಷಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಎನ್ನುವ ವಿಷಯ ವಾಲ್ಮೀಕಿ ರಾಮಾಯಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವಾಗಿದೆ. (ಸೀತೆಯನ್ನು ಸ್ಪರ್ಷ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದರೆ ರಾವಣ ಸುಟ್ಟು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಅನ್ನುವುದೂ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವಾಗಿದೆ).

• ಸಮುದ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇತುವೆ ಕಟ್ಟುವಾಗ ರಾಮನು ಮಾಡಬೇಕಾದ ಒಂದು ಯಜ್ಞಕ್ಕೆ ಯಾರೂ ಪುರೋಹಿತರು ಸಿಗದಿದ್ದಾಗ ಶಿವ ಭಕ್ತ ಮತ್ತು ಮಹಾನ್ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ ಸ್ವತಃ ರಾವಣನೇ ಪುರೋಹಿತನಾಗಿ ಬಂದು ಯುದ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಜಯಿಯಾಗು ಎಂದು ರಾಮನಿಗೆ ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದ ಮಾಡಿ ತನ್ನ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯ ನಿಷ್ಠೆ ಮೆರೆಯುತ್ತಾನೆ.
• ರಾವಣನ ಶಿವ ಭಕ್ತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಆತನ ಉತ್ತಮ ಗುಣಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ಶ್ರೀಲಂಕಾ ಮತ್ತು ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಆತನ ದೇವಾಲಯಗಳು ಕೂಡಾ ಇವೆ.

ರಾಮನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹೋಲಿಸಿದಾಗ ರಾವಣ ಒಬ್ಬ ಮಹಾನಾಯಕ ಅಲ್ಲದಿರಬಹುದು, ರಾಮನಂತೆ ಆದರ್ಶ ಪುರುಷ ಕೂಡಾ ಅಲ್ಲದಿರಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಅವನು ಖಂಡಿತವಾಗಿಯೂ ಕೆಟ್ಟವನು ಅಥವಾ ವಿಲನ್ ಅಲ್ಲ.

ಬಹುಷಃ ರಾಮನ ಅತಿಯಾದ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಗುಣಗಳೆದುರು ರಾವಣ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯವನಲ್ಲ ಎನ್ನುವುದು ಕೂಡಾ ಸತ್ಯವಿರಬಹುದು.