Ramayana, Mahabharata and Kali Yuga

“Our homage and prostration are dedicated to Sang Hyang Embang, the Holy Ancestors, Ida Bhatara and the Great Sages who have bestowed endless good fortune. Please do accept our apologies dear Maharishi Valmiki and Maharishi Vedavyasa who have written the Ramayana and Mahabharata and Maha Purana so that we are avoided from miseries and curses.”

In the codification of Vedic teachings, Ithihasa is included in Smerti which consists of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata epic as well as the 18 Maha Puranas. Both are authentic sources of Hindu teachings.

The Ramayana was written by Maharishi Valmiki, explaining about the Avatar of Lord Vishnu who was born into the world to purify the Vedic teachings in human form, namely Rama during the Treta Yuga era.

The Mahabharata was written later, namely during the Dvapara Yuga era, by Maharishi Vedavyasa explaining about the Avatar of Lord Vishnu to the world to maintain truth and destroy falsehood.

Eighteen Maha Puranas, especially the Bhavisya Purana written before the Kali Yuga by Maharishi Vedavyasa, explain ancient history, creation, the genealogy of the Gods, the Seven Sages, Tattva, Ethics, rituals and others.

In this Kali Yuga era, in the seventh Manvantara, in the Bhavisya Mahapurana, is stated that the Avatar of Lord Vishnu to uphold dharma is the Kalki Avatar who will appear at the end of the Kali Yuga era.

In various references, it is reported that Kalki Avatar was born and lived in a mystical village on the slopes of Mount Himalayas, Bharatavarsha, present-day India.

Ramayana

The central figures in the Ramayana are Rama and his consort Sita as well as antagonist Dasamukha or Ravana and his consort Queen Mindodari. Anyone who reads and implements the teachings in the Ramayana story is freed from disasters or the results of bad karma.

Those who read the Ramayana are kept safe by Hanuman from disaster within a radius of 720 meters. Leaders (Kshatrya) who study the Ramayana well will become leaders who are loved by the people, receive strong support and are able to bring prosperity to their people from time to time.

The country he leads is safe, peaceful, fertile and prosperous. It is strong and respected by opponents or friends. Brahmins (high priest) who study the Ramayana will be very fluent in explaining the teachings of the Vedas and other literature.

Traders, business people who work in the economic sector and drive economic sector of a country who study the Ramayana become people who are very rich, have abundant wealth, are generous and like to give charity. Physical workers, employees, farmers, poets who study and listen to the story of the Ramayana will become perfect.

Regarding leadership, Astha Bhrata is explained as the eight characteristics of gods who are role models for leaders. Leadership teaching of Astha Brataha were taught by Rama in person to Bharata and Vibhisana.

The Ramayana teaches about obedience to Vedic teachings, worship of the gods, ancestors, the Great Rishis, implementing svadharma firmly, devotion and loyalty. An example of devotion and loyalty is the character of Hanuman, who should be a role model throughout history and is always relevant in any era. Evil must lose and truth must win.

There are at least around 350 versions of the Ramayana written throughout the world, which is why Rama assigned Hanuman to look after the Ramayana so that Hanuman becomes a Ciranjivi, who lives eternally to this day.

Likewise, Vibhisana, Rishi Parashurama was also a Ciranjivi. Hanuman and Rishi Parashurama are found in the Mahabharata story. To maintain the purity of the Ramayana, Maharishi Valmiki was reborn as Sri Goswani Tul Sidas in the elventh century.

Tul Sidas wrote 34 books glorifying the Ramayana. Hanuman Chalisa book that features 40 Slokas glorifying Hanuman is the work of Tul Sidas.

Chanting the Rama-Sita or Gayatri Rama-Sita mantra: “Om Daserathaya Vidhmahe Sita Vallabhaya Dheemahe, Rama Thanno Prachodayath,” will receive the gift of well-being and prosperity and be guarded by Hanuman so that he is free from bad karmic disasters.

Mahabharata

This true story was written by Maharishi Vedaviyasa (Vyasa Krishna Dvaipayana, son of Rishi Parashar and Satyavati).

There are many great figures in the Mahabharata, both on the Pandavas and Kauravas sides. King Pandu was related to Drestarastra and Vidura, who became King of Hastinapur.

Pandu was the father of Pandavas, while Drestarastra the father of the Kauravas. The oldest and leader of the Pandavas is Yudhisthira and his younger brothers are Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva.

The Kauravas is led by Suyodhana (which is corrupted into Duryodhana), his younger brother Sushasana (Dushasana). It is believed that Yudhishthira is the incarnation of Lord Dharma or Yamaraj while Duryodana is the incarnation of the Demon Kali.

On the Kauravas side, there were great figures like Bhisma, Dronacharya, Kripacharya, Karna, King Salya, Asvatama, the hero without equal, and of course Prince of Gandara Shakuni.

Shakuni is a figure who can be attributed as the designer the evil strategy of the Kauravas. Do not forget that there is also Prince Vidura, the Supreme Minister who is very powerful. The Kauravas was supported by 12 Akshauhini warriors. One akshauhini consisted of 21,870 war chariots, 21,870 war elephants, 65,610 mounted soldiers (cavalry), and 109,350 foot soldiers (infantry).

Meanwhile on the Pandavas side, there were big figures, namely: Krishna, King Drupada, Dhrihstadyumna and Shikandi.

However, the existence of Krishna (the avatar of Lord Vishnu) who did not fight and was armed ensured that the Pandavas were the winners of the war.

The Pandavas was supported by 7 Akshauhini warriors. There are Draupadi and Bhima who swear about the life of Suyodhana. Draupadi would not style her hair before washing it with the blood of Suyodhana. Meanwhile, Bhima vowed to kill all 100 Kauravas.

Current Story Waiting for the Presence of Kalki  

The Kali Yuga era has occurred more than 5,000 years after King Parikshit was crowned King of Hastinapur. The era began on Friday (Feb 22 301 BC at 00:02).

King Parikshit met with the Demon Kali, who agreed to an agreement regarding the authority of the Demon Kali (Duryodhana is the Incarnation of the Demon Kali).

The task of devil is to thwart human efforts to achieve harmony in life by worshiping the Ancestors, Gods and Brahman.

In the Kali Yuga era, those who do not have the right to be a king becomes king (direct election, as long as they have money, they can become a president or regional leader). People who do not understand the Vedic teachings becomes a brahmin (high priest) who then provides guidance for life which he thinks is right but is wrong.

Wealth is the goal of life because by having wealth, power and honor can be achieved. One of the agreement of King Parikshit with the Demon Kali was that the Demon Kali and his crew were allowed to live in human treasures, especially gold.

Based on the evaluation related to the performance of Demon Kingdom in “disturbing” humans, it is stated to run less successfully and the Demon Kali views that if human property is entered, the success will be better. The fact is that humans live in pursuit of wealth, so the teaching of Purusha Artha (literally, purposes of human beings) was created, in which dharma---the path of truth—is the first thing that must be followed.

Until now, the Demon Kali, after 5000 years, there are no longer complains, or is confused about to whom the Demon Kali asks for approval and promises. Parikshit is the Great King who rules the world, while the world is now divided due to ideology, politics and demographics.

Comparison of Ramayana to Mahabharata

1) The Ramayana consists of 7 kandas or chapters covering 24,000 slokas while the Mahabharata consists of 18 parvas covering 100,000 slokas. Approximately, there are 350 versions of the Ramayana in the world while there are 1250 versions of the Mahabharata which have been translated into various languages in the world.

2) Philosophy (tattva) for human life. The teachings contained in the Ramayana and Mahabharata are not only limited to Hindus but also to humanity universally. The existence of Rwa Bhinneda (basic dualism) is always present in all aspects of life but is a unity that cannot be separated. Basically, it is karma that determines the quality of life of a person later in their next life. Good deeds are not always well received by someone, but good deeds can sometimes be used by other people for their own benefit. Therefore, humans must always be alert and careful with a high awareness that there is always God in every action. Therefore, including God will lead to the truth (the denuding of Draupadi failed because of the role of God/Krishna as the avatar of Lord Vishnu). Likewise, Sita is protected by Mother Earth and God of Fire.

3) Maha Yuga. Maha Yuga consists of: Satyayuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. Transformation of obedience complies with rules and etiquette based on Vedic teachings. The Ramayana tells of an event that occurred during the Treta Yuga era, where the table of truth had just lost one leg, so it was still supported by three legs of truth. Adherence to the Vedic teachings and svadharma of each person is maintained. Actually, Rama could have used the Brahmastra weapon to destroy Lanka but he did not. Likewise, during the war against Prince Indrajit who used Magical Knowledge which belonged to the Asura nation, Rama, even though he was capable, did not respond with magical knowledge. As a matter of fact, Hanuman could have destroyed Lanka and Ravana, but he did not do that because destroying Ravana was the obligation of the King Rama. The Mahabharata story takes place during the Dvapara Yuga era, where there were only two legs of truth and the other two were gone. This can be seen in changes in behavior and events that were not previously found in the Ramayana. Many crimes and deceptions have been committed in the Mahabharata. Lies of Yudhisthira are an example very often mentioned in discussions. Yudhisthira stated that Asvatama was already killed. However, what he meant is that the elephant named Asvatama has been killed. Then, revenge of Asvatama  caused him to forget the rule that it is very coward to kill people who are sleeping (killing Panca Kumara or Upapandavas and Drishtadyumna). Prince Gandara was the source of all evils of the Kauravas. However, Bhishma allowed that to happen. The attitude of Bhishma can be seen as failing to understand the meaning of justice and the attitude of a ksatrya because he only looked after the Kauravas, not humanity at large. The death of Bhishma and Dronacarya was due to regret for his attitude which was opened by Krishna, and found the right path.

4) Similarities between Ramayana and Mahabharata. Several great figures in the Ramayana are still found in the Mahabharata, namely ciranjivi (immortal man) Hanuman and Rishi Parashurama. Maharishi Valmiki is also still found, namely the Sudra priest who led the great Asvameda ceremony. In these two stories, there are two patibratha women, namely Sita and Draupadi.

5) Declining morals and condoning crime. In the Ramayana, there is Sita who was exiled at the will of the people of Ayodya. Sita was then accommodated in the ashram of Maharishi Valmiki, along with other women who had been abandoned by their families. In the Mahabharata, there is Draupadi who was stripped naked by Dushasan. The royal figures and the king allowed the crime to take place, who should have reacted to this injustice. There is Kunti who gave birth outside of marriage. In the Ramayana, there is Keikeyi who causes Rama to be exiled because she asked for an unfulfilled promise from Dasarata. There is massacre of Abimanyu who was unable to leave the Cakravyuha, a powerful military formation. In the Ramayana, there are almost no violations found in the Lanka war.

6) Deception. In the Ramayana, Ravana kills two of his sons to deceive that Rama and Laksamana have died. However, Sita did not believe it, even though the two bodies were similar. Indrajit uses magic. Throughout the story of the Mahabharata, Prince Gandara Shakuni always plans tricks: poisoning Bhima, planning the Cardboard House, miscalculating the date of the end of the exile of the Pandavas as well as arresting Krishna as the peace ambassador of the Pandavas. There are also lies of Yudhistira about the death of Asvatama. Besides, there are death of unarmed Karna, death of Barbarika who had three magic arrows. Mahaminister Vidura resigns and breaks the arrow of Lord Shiva.

Benefits of Ithihasa for Life

1) Itihasa Ramayana and Mahabharata are true stories about avatars and their deeds for humanity. Itihasa is the teaching of the Veda itself so that for Hindus and mankind the truth of Itihasa cannot be doubted. Sruti and Smerti are in the same position as truth. Itihasa as part of Smerti is a Vedic practice so that what is understood in the Sruti verses can be clearly understood through studying Itihasa. In Itihasa, the practice of Vedic teachings are explained in great detail. Since Itihasa is a bhasya of Vedic teachings, it is recommended to learn Itihasa first. Secondly, learn the 18 Maha Puranas and then the the four Vedas, Upanishads and Nibandasastra.

2) In the Itihasa Ramayana and Mahabharata is explained that whoever learns both or one of these itihasa will be free from the results of bad karma and living in peace, security and prosperity. Likewise, those who are diligent in the 10 Maha Puranas or one of the Maha Puranas will be free from sin. The wisdom of wise people from ancient times is that people should learn from everyday life, learn from successful people and also learn from failure.

3) If people have studied itihasa, they will idolize the figures in the Ramayana or Mahabharata: the mighty Hanuman, Loyalty of Laksamana, might of Arjuna, as well as Patibratha of Sita, Kunti and Draupadi.

4) If a leader has learned Itihasa, he will achieve success in his organization by implementing Astha Brataha leadership, being loved by his subordinates. If he is a regional leader he will be successful in developing his region and will be loved by his people.

5) Rest assured, those who study Itihasa, Purana and the Vedas will live happily ever after.

Contemplation

Why are there people who doubt the truth of Itihasa? Scientists from all over the world have read Itihasa and searched for its truth. Little by little they found evidence of the truth. For example, the Situbanda bridge site stretches from mainland India towards Lanka and the discovery of the Dvaraka kingdom site on the Indian seabedm, Indrapastha in New Delhi and so forth.  

Hanuman is found in modern times. Ashvatama is found in a temple and others. If there are Hindus who do not believe in the truth of Itihasa, it is the same as not believing in the truth of Vedic teachings.

Elites, in this Kaliyuga Era, people who are given the authority to lead must read Itihasa carefully in order to be successful in his leadership. They are also obliged to study Itihasa so that they can choose good leaders who can bring the country to prosperity, well-being, security and peace. Swaha. (*)