2. PREETI KIRAN HEMRAZ-HURDOYAL
THE ROLE OF RAMCHARITMANAS IN SPREADING UNIVERSAL VALUES IN A MULTICULTURAL MAURITIAN SOCIETY
PREETI KIRAN HEMRAZ-HURDOYAL

3. OVERVIEW What is Ramcharitmanas? Greatness of Ramcharitmanas
Cultural Aspect of Ramcharitmanas
Purpose of Ethical Values in this contemporary age
Its Role in eradicating evils
Relevance of Ramcharitmanas to the Mauritian Society
Symbolism of Characters in Ramcharitmanas
Contemporary Relevance of Ramcharitmanas and its Values
Impact of Values
Results of Survey
Main Teachings of Ramcharitmanas
Conclusion

4. What is Ramcharitmanas?
Most popular and timeless epic poem
Sacred scripture: Depicts the Art of living
Written by the Medieval Indian Saint poet of 16th Century, GOSWAMI TULSIDAS
In Mauritius, commonly known as ‘Ramayan’
Classical Masterpiece of world literature.
A treasure of knowledge which has the power to educate people

5. Greatness of Ramcharitmanas
A lamp of divine guidance for scholars and common people.
Aims at empowering the human dignity
Lays great emphasis on Dharma (Righteousness) and moral conduct.
Spreads ethical values and combats social evils
Depicts the essence of human life

6. Cultural Aspect of Ramcharitmanas
Basis of culture: Morality, Spirituality and Ethics
Blend of cultures – human, demon, animals and Demigods
Stresses on ‘Unity in Diversity’
Vasudhaiva kutumbakam : the whole world is one family
Salient features of Indian Culture
Sixteen ‘Sanskaras’ in the life of an individual – from womb till tomb

7. Purpose of Ethical Values in this Contemporary Age
Morality : Foundation of our Existence
Heading towards Moral Bankruptcy
Downfall of mankind
Human mind, language, behaviour, actions are corrupt1.
‘Kalyug’ age : Evil dominates and righteousness has to suffer2.
More materialistic and individualistic approach towards life : Decline in humanity and morality
Communal riots, Violence, Terrorism
Ref: 1: Gandhi
2: Bhagvad Gita

8. Its Role in Eradicating Evils
The Concept of Idealism
Ram is portrayed as an ideal person who does his duties irrespective of circumstances.
Follow the Path of Righteousness
No violation of moral conduct
The Law of Karma (Action) : Universal Law of Action
As you sow, so, you will reap.
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
The Power of Humility
Ravan was very powerful but arrogance and unethical means became the cause of his death.

9. Relevance of Ramcharitmanas to the Mauritian Society
Mauritius is a multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi- lingual and multi-ethnic society.
The Epic depicts the ideal life of a multicultural society.
Provides solutions/remedies to societal problems.
Lays emphasis on social unity and universal progress

10. Symbolism of Characters in Ramcharitmanas
RAM: Ideal man, the giver of bliss, the epitome of righteousness.
SITA : Woman who gets carried away by worldly attraction (golden deer) and goes beyond the code of conduct (Lakshman Rekha).
VIBHISHAN: A demon which does ethical actions.
Action makes a man.
Action must go beyond caste, creed and religion.
HANUMAN: Portrayed in the form of a Monkey
Monkeys are restless by nature but if they have a target in life then they can equally make wonders as Hanuman did.
He depicts the Human mind
Hanuman stands for absolute renunciation.

11. Symbolism of Characters in Ramcharitmanas (cont’d)
DASHRUTH: A man of word.
Lost his life to keep his promise
BHARAT and LAKSHMAN: Symbolises universal brotherhood, devotion and sacrifice.
RAVAN: Symbolises arrogance and pride.
Giver of pain
SURPANAKHA: Sister of Ravan
Embodiment of desire and lust
MARICHA: Symbolises the worldly attraction.
The characters of Ramacharitmanas are symbolic and they have many implications.

12. Contemporary Relevance of Ramcharitmanas
‘Universal’ Appeal of Ramcharitmanas and its values
Synthesis of different cultures
Emphasis on respect, love, tolerance for all communities
Emphasis on globalisation and unity
Life of Rama revolves around elevating the human mind and promoting righteousness.

13. Contemporary Relevance of Ramcharitmanas (cont’d)
The solution to problems of modern time:
Family problems
Socio-cultural problems
Political front – the concept of Ram Rajya
Economic Problems
Environmental Problems
Destroys the myth that Ramcharitmanas is the treasure of the Hindu Society only.
Its contribution to the evolution of a peaceful society.
Depicts the journey from ‘Nar’ ( human) to ‘Narayan’ (embodiment of divine qualities)

14. Impact of Values Purify the mind and remove all impurities
Make the society a better place to live
Enable a person to achieve his real goal in life
Cut across all cultures and help in establishing one culture: Humanity
Shapes the personality of human being

15. Results of Survey Objectives of survey:
Popularity and Universal appeal of the epic
Impact on : (1) Individual (2) Family (3) Society (4) Politics
Its contribution in spreading moral and ethical values
Its contribution in bringing unity in Mauritian Society

16. Results of survey (cont’d)
Popularity of Ramcharitmanas

17. Results of survey (cont’d)
Universal Appeal of Ramcharitmanas

18. Results of survey (cont’d)
Its contribution in bringing unity in Mauritian Society

19. Results of survey (cont’d)
Its contribution in spreading moral and ethical values

20. Main Teachings of Ramcharitmanas
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – Globalisation
Concept of Ram Rajya – the reign of righteousness
Morality: Essence of Human life
Character is man made which can be improved
Unity in Diversity
Universal Brotherhood and peace
Tolerance
Righteous Behaviour
Strict adherence towards duty
Control of senses leads to a balanced state of mind

21. CONCLUSION
“ In fact, the Ramayan and the Mahabharata are the two encyclopedias of Ancient Aryan life and wisdom, portraying the ideal civilisation, which humanity has yet to aspire after.”
- Swami Vivekananda

22. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION