Hinduism - Ramayana - What are the benefits of reading or hearing the Epic as per Valmiki?

1) Prelude: Finding 1: The word 'Svamvaram' is used and with pre-conditional clause for both Sitamata and Drupati in Valmiki Ramayana and Vyasa Mahabharata respectively. Finding 2: A classical un-successful Svamvaram was conducted well before, for Sitamata. Many took part and failed to lift up and string the bow.

Sri Rama broke the bow, long time later! This is from Valmiki Ramayana too! Other Facts on Svamvaram : A Conventional Svamvaram of Amba, Ambika and Ambalika turned to a challenged one by Bhisma.

Conventional (Self choosing) Svamvaram was performed for Dhamayanti. The Gods Indra, Agni, Varuna and Yama disguise themselves as Nala, and ask Damayanti to choose amongst them. Nala was selected based on human characteristics.

Sanyukta (Sanyogita) Svamvaram became an abduction by Prithviraj with Sanyukta's approval. Pre-conditional clause Svamvaram gives freedom to the princess to reject anyone before winning the ordeal. Draupati rejected Karna on the verge of anticipating winning the ordeal.? (svayam vrtyate iti svayamvaram)?

Svayam ind. Self? {?

} vRtyate { vRt } verb choose? Self-choosing 2) Sitamata’s Svayamvaram: As a flashback Sitamata told Her Svayamvaram episode to Anasuya mata. (i) Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter 118, Verses 38.

Friend, SWAYAM; self , VARAM; To choose as husband or Varudu. ''In the Hindu epic Ramayana , S? T?

Marries Rama , the only one strong enough to lift the Shiv? Dhanush? (Lord Shiva's Bow) and string it.

There is mention of swayamvara in Valmiki Ramayana. But in Tulsidas Ramayan Ram Charit Manas this swayamwara is described. In Valmiki Ramayana Janak raja tells that he has promised to marry Sita to the person who can lift Shiva dhanush and string it.

No one could do before Rama. Rama did it. This condition of lifting dhanush was called by Janak as virya shulka, cost to be paid by suitor for marrying sita.'' So SITA can not choose among the Suitors or invited Kings .

There is a CONDITION LAID, THE PERSON WHO LIFTS THE SHIVA DHANUSH AND STRINGS IT will ONLY be eligible to MARRY SITA. SO SITA IS VEERYA SULKA. Sita Devi had NO FREEDOM TO SELECT HER WOULD BE HUSBAND.

So I think Swayamvaram word can not be used here. But Valmiki used it in his Ramayana. As the respected member said , there was earlier a SWAYAMVARAM of Sita .

But all failed to lift the Shiva Dhanush. My point here is THE MEANING OF SWAYAMVARAM. In the Swayamvaram, the Pricess used to have a Garland in the hands while invited and attended princes and candidates sat on seats.

A person used TO INTRODUCE EVERY PRICE, SAY ABOUT HIS GREATNESS etc, His Kingdom details his Victories wealth etc etc. The Princes used pass through with Garland in her hand , finally SHE USED TO SELECT A PRINCE AMONG THOSE AND USED TO GARLAND HIM. This is Swayamvaram The Girl has CHOICE TO SELECT HER HUSBAND. But in Seeta SwamayamVaram SITA HAD NO SUCH CHOICE.

Whoever lifts and strings Shivadhanush, SHE HAS TO MARRY. That is the difference. ( Why janaka put this condition has an inner meaning.

He knew who SITA WAS and so HE PUT THAT CONDITION WITH HIS WISDOM.) Edit; As far as I know, there is no relation between Droupadi Swayamvaram ( she was born to marry Arjuna, as yaagna Seyni. And She objecyed Karna because He was supposed to be suuta Putra then. Yhis is very clearly told in Mahabharata.).

Droupadi too was a VEERYA SULKA . She had no freedom to chose her husband. But Sita Swayamvaram is different .

Whoever lifts the Shivadhanush and strings it it is the WINNER and is eligible to marry Sita. Many kings, Princes tried and failed . But Young Rama who came there along with his Guru viswamitra , wanted too SEE the Shivadhanush, having seen it because he was a Kshatriya he asked permission of Viswamitra to touch and try to lift it, Viswamitra nodded his head.

Only then after did Rama lift the Shivadhanush, and he never had any intention of marrying Sita which is evident if we read what happened after he BROKE the Shivadhanush.

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