Valmiki Ramayana – Balakanda

The Ramayana is a manual on how a human being should lead one’s life in as perfect a manner as possible, which was exemplified by no less than Sri Rama Himself. Hence, He is also called Uttama-purusa – best among humans.

Sri Rama combined in his life, his personal life as son, husband, brother and father, as well as his professional life of King/leader, people manager, resource manager, and significantly, as maintainer of dharma – both at home and in the kingdom. Rama Rajya is extolled because of his ability to lead by example, with honesty and integrity, so that people in his care lived without the threat of corruption, nepotism or injustice.

Sage Valmiki brought these facets out with his sharp writing of the Ramayana such that though the Ramayana is ancient, it remains relevant to all ages of time. The problems that faced leaders and subjects were not significantly different then. But with his leadership and lifestyle, Sri Rama has left for us a lot of principles for thought and application.

In this album, Swami Ramakrishnananda expounds on the nuances of Valmiki’s Ramayana. Swamiji refers to Kamba Ramayana, a Tamil epic that was written by the great poet Kamban during the 12th century, and to Raghuvamsa written by Kalidasa in the 5th century, both of which are based on Valmiki’s Ramayana.