Ramayana is not a product of imagination like a fiction novel: Sringeri Shankaracharya
By NewsGram Staff Writer
"Ramayana is not a product of any author's imagination like a fiction novel. Instead, it is a sacred text written by Maharishi Valmiki who witnessed the entire events first hand", said Sringeri Shankaracharya Jagadguru Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji, according to the reports published in a Kannada newspapers.
Sringeri Jagadguru was speaking at a function organized on Wednesday to bless the Sri Rama Padukas (footwears) that are to be used during the coronation ceremony.
Jagadguru Bharati Tirtha Swami further stated that, Lord Rama was the very incarnation of Lord Vishnu who incarnated for the sake of upholding Dharma and protection of good people.
"It is only due to such incarnations that tenets of Dharma have survived till date", said the Jagadguru.
"Hence, worship and remembrance of Lord Rama and his life is very meritorious. Therefore, one should not treat Ramayana as a fiction book to be read as a pastime. Instead, Ramayana should be treated as being on par with Vedas and it must be faithfully studied in a proper way", Bharati Tirtha Swami added.
While speaking at the same function, the Junior Swamiji– Jagadguru Vidushekara Bharati–said, "As a follower of Sanatana Dharma, we have all inherited Dharma as wealth from our ancestors. Hence, we must all make our best efforts to protect Dharma and the Dharma can be only protected by practicing it. Lord Rama never abandoned his Dharma even in great difficulties. When he was about to be coronated, he renounced the throne and went to the forest to keep the words of his father. Like this, the life of Lord Rama has many lessons for the practice of Dharma."
The Junior Swamiji expressed his disappointment that even demons like Maricha knew the power and greatness of Lord Rama, but many people in the present day did not have proper understanding of Lord Rama and his teachings.
Both the Jagadgurus arrived at Bangalore on 15th of this month and will be staying till the 30th. They are staying at Shankara Mutt, Shankarapuram and give darshan to the devotees twice every day.
