About Raamaayan-2

Why Raamaayan is an epic?

Indian literature has two great epics - Raamaayan and Mahaabhaarat. Why should they be categorized under epic? To understand this first we will have to understand the characteristics of an epic and which book can be categorized as an epic.

1. Epic is the story, or a biographical description of a great man or leader of the society or a country, from his birth till death in chronological order.

2. It must start from prayer of God.

3. An epic has to have all the nine Ras in it. 
(1) Vaatsalya - Kaushalyaa's love towards her Raam 
(2) Shringaar - Milan (when Raam sees Seetaa in Pushp Vaatikaa) and Virah (when Raam weeps for Seetaa after She has been abducted) 
(3) Shaant - while discoursing 
(4) Haasya - in Naarad Moh 
(5) Veebhats - in description of war, 
(6) Veer - also in war

4. It should have the description of all the seasons of the year. 
[3/16] - Description of Sharad and Vasant Ritu (winter and spring season) in Aranya Kaand, Chapter 16, at the time of starting living in Panchvatee before meeting Shoorpankhaa.
[4/1] - Description of Vasant Ritu (Spring) in Kishkindhaa Kaand, Chapter 1 while arriving at Pampaa Sarovar on the way to Rishyamook Parvat..
[4/28] - Varshaa (rainy season) is described in Kishkindhaa Kaand, Chapter 28, when the monkey are given a holiday
[4/30] - Description of Hemant Ritu, when promised period of waiting for Seetaa's search is over, and Sugreev has still not responded. Raam sends Lakshman to Sugreev in His wrath
[4/43] - Description of Fall, in Kishkindhaa Kand, Chapter 43, when Hanumaan and others go in search of Seetaa after their exit from the cave of Swayamprabhaa

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