Question for indians here, regarding Ramayana and Mahabharata

[Saradiel]

I am keen on learning about these two epic poems. I know many indians here are knowledgeable on these epics. So please answer these questions. This is asked in good faith just to improve my knowledge
1. Do educated Hindus in India even religious ones regard these epics as just mythology or fiction?
2. Do the events in these epics relate to any historical incident if so how?
3. And please recommend a good English translation of them, so that I can read..

@SarthakGanguly @Contrarian, @Indischer @nair

 

[kaykay]

I think its wrong section to open this thread. @Chak Bamu @Jungibaaz kindly move this thread to appropriate section.

 

[Kinetic]

1. MOST of the educated and religious indians take it as true story. but the same people always questioned these two books for thier supernatural dramas.

2. They are very very old story... most of the Indians believes that they are BASED on true events but later supernaturalism has been added.

3. Read Mahabharata by ISKON and Ramayana by Tulsi Das.


Now what u should take from these two books: First of all read them as great novels or epics not religious books. you will find many things... almost everything about life. they teach how to be successful in lyf and for ur family and country. how to die when every person on earth will be proud on you.

There is something far beyond religion in these books... the greatest secreet... the secreet of becoming immortal...

 

[MarkovChain]

1. Do educated Hindus in India even religious ones regard these epics as just mythology or fiction?

Both Ramayana and Mahabharata are a work of fiction, like all religious books. There is no evidence of either.

2. Do the events in these epics relate to any historical incident if so how?

Possibly. Some of the stories may have been an exaggerated version of a real incident. Without evidence, it's quite difficult to say really.

On saying that, I think they are both fantastic epics with wonderful moral values. I've enjoyed reading them.

 

[Kinetic]

Google for Mahabharata in English... u will find many pdf... same for Ramayana...


Specially read Geeta...

 

[Gandhi G in da house]

I am keen on learning about these two epic poems. I know many indians here are knowledgeable on these epics. So please answer these questions. This is asked in good faith just to improve my knowledge
1. Do educated Hindus in India even religious ones regard these epics as just mythology or fiction?
2. Do the events in these epics relate to any historical incident if so how?
3. And please recommend a good English translation of them, so that I can read..

@SarthakGanguly @Contrarian, @Indischer @nair

Just read them as epic novels. Many people across the world read them even though they don't believe in Indian gods.

I personally believe they are based on real incidents but with a lot of fictional and supernatural elements added in it.

Kind of like how Game of Thrones is a fantasy fiction version of the Wars of Roses in England during the 15th century.

 

[TejasMk3]

Most of the people take it the characters in it as real people who have been super glorified and given extra awesomeness.

Though no one really cares if it was real or not because that is not the point. Everyone agrees that they are awesome and make for really good reading.

The first two versions I read were C.Rajagopalachari 's version of Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Simple, covers most of the important parts, and side stories that are important to understand the epics.

Later if you are interested you can check out unabridged versions ( the originals are actually really huge.)

Here is the onlne pdf of Rajagopalachari's Mahabharatha from Gita society http://www.gita-society.com/section3/mahabharata.pdf

Buy Mahabharata (English) Online at Best Prices In India | Flipkart.com
The physical book itself is not very expensive (about 160 rupees).

 

[nair]

I am keen on learning about these two epic poems. I know many indians here are knowledgeable on these epics. So please answer these questions. This is asked in good faith just to improve my knowledge
1. Do educated Hindus in India even religious ones regard these epics as just mythology or fiction?
2. Do the events in these epics relate to any historical incident if so how?
3. And please recommend a good English translation of them, so that I can read..

@SarthakGanguly @Contrarian, @Indischer @nair

1) It depends on a person and his belief...... There are several highly educated Hindu's who believe in it, there are several who doesn't.... so it depends on that person.....
2) There are several events and incidents which has historical value, it again depends on one's belief....
3) Google is your friend......

But let me tell you one thing, it is very difficult to have a meaningful discussion on a thread like this.......

 

[BannuTorkham]

Mahabharata is the longest text...

so you wont be able to read it ALL..

But surely Mahabharata tells you about EVERY relation in life

Professional Rivalry : Karna and Arjun

Personal-cum-Professional Rivalry : Bheema-Duryodhana

Sibling Rivalry : Kauravas and Pandavas

Relationships of a teacher(Drona) with his son(ashwatthama),favorite pupil(arjun) and other normal pupils which are valid upto this date..

Take it Philosophically, and welcome to true liberty ( such a liberty that even Lord Krishna says to Arjuna in the end that I have told you all these things, if you want to follow, then follow, or run away from the battlefield)

 

[GURU DUTT]

I am keen on learning about these two epic poems. I know many indians here are knowledgeable on these epics. So please answer these questions. This is asked in good faith just to improve my knowledge
1. Do educated Hindus in India even religious ones regard these epics as just mythology or fiction?
2. Do the events in these epics relate to any historical incident if so how?
3. And please recommend a good English translation of them, so that I can read..

@SarthakGanguly @Contrarian, @Indischer @nair

well sir u are a nice guy

1. yes eductaed and non educated hindus bealeave and take ramayna & mahabharta as history (well there are even georaphical proofs of them aswell) but most so called british/leftist baised secular historians pass them its are just poems but when it comes to even greek mythology as history or for that matter bible (even though there are many conflikting facts about authenticity of bible and jesus or even catholism)

2. well since ur a sri lankan the name of your nation and "adams bridge/ramsetu" or even candy's hil top palace do suggest that ramyan was not a myth after all

3.well ISKON translations of mahabharta and ramayan are avilable u can read them

4. as for geeta its the book if you read it and undertand it most of your problems will be solved

 

[SanjeevaniButi]

I am keen on learning about these two epic poems. I know many indians here are knowledgeable on these epics. So please answer these questions. This is asked in good faith just to improve my knowledge
1. Do educated Hindus in India even religious ones regard these epics as just mythology or fiction?

Many believe them to be true, some believe them to be partially true, some believe them to be fiction. Percentage of believers will far exceed percentage of non believers.

2. Do the events in these epics relate to any historical incident if so how?

It appears so primarily because of the geographies described in the book and the descriptions of the clans involved. In both books the various geographies of India and its surrounding countries are described.

3. And please recommend a good English translation of them, so that I can read..

What is your objective in reading them ? to seek historical evidence ? or moral guidance ? or just entertainment ? or to understand society/civilization ?

Valmiki Ramayan is the orginigal, but its long winding and poetic. So it is also boring.

Mahabharata is also far too long for new initiators.

I would suggest you get hold of Amar Chitra Katha comics for these two epics. Then if you like it, you an read further.

 

[Aarush]

Most of the people take it the characters in it as real people who have been super glorified and given extra awesomeness.

Though no one really cares if it was real or not because that is not the point. Everyone agrees that they are awesome and make for really good reading.

The first two versions I read were C.Rajagopalachari 's version of Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Simple, covers most of the important parts, and side stories that are important to understand the epics.

Later if you are interested you can check out unabridged versions ( the originals are actually really huge.)

Here is the onlne pdf of Rajagopalachari's Mahabharatha from Gita society http://www.gita-society.com/section3/mahabharata.pdf

Buy Mahabharata (English) Online at Best Prices In India | Flipkart.com
The physical book itself is not very expensive (about 160 rupees).

Flipkart service is available in Srilanka..???

 

[k7x]

Mahabharath and Ramayana are two epics with 1000s of characters and 1000s of sub story.

I believe it is written to give people some moral guideline.

Having said that , we don't read them like other religions do with their holy books.

In Hinduism, holy books , epics, prayer every thing is voluntary... If you want you can do else no one gives a thing....

 

[TejasMk3]

Flipkart service is available in Srilanka..???

Dont know... I just googled for the book, and flipkart came up., I was like ahh flipkart.... didnt realize actually

 

[HeinzG]

Now what u should take from these two books: First of all read them as great novels or epics not religious books. you will find many things... almost everything about life. they teach how to be successful in lyf and for ur family and country. how to die when every person on earth will be proud on you.

There is something far beyond religion in these books... the greatest secreet... the secreet of becoming immortal...

Truly inspiring. Now I need to read Mahabharat too......

2. well since ur a sri lankan the name of your nation and "adams bridge/ramsetu" or even candy's hil top palace do suggest that ramyan was not a myth after all

BS. Those places specially in SL are made up. There are no historical value to those places. I know one place which is in Seetha Eliya closer to Nuwara Eliya town in central hills. Nowadays there are many Indian people visiting it thinking it is the place where Seeta bathed and there are Hanuman foot prints. But in reality it is a small temple built by Indian plantation workers for there praying and later incorporated into the Ramayana folklore by someone. Every place in SL related to Ramayana are made up things. (Including Rama-Setu).