5 Myths Around Ramayana

On this special occasion, let’s dive into the epic and understand some myths associated with it.

1.“Lakshmanarekha” — In Valmiki’s Ramayana, there is no mention of Lakshmanarekha. This episode is not found in the Aranya Kanda (the book covering Sita’s abduction), which mentions Lakshman leaving Sita under the protection of forest deities, not a drawn line. Soon Ravan arrives disguised as a sage. He directly approaches, and Sita invites him into the cottage to offer him alms. There is no magical barrier preventing him from entering.

2.“Ravana is a saint” — people love Ravana and try to portray him as just another man who was unlucky in love. A popular belief is that he did not touch Sita against her will. It is clearly written that he was known for his lust and is documented as having harassed and assaulted several women. Ravan did not force himself on Sita because he was cursed to burn into ashes if he touched another woman against her will.

3.Ahalya-It is widely considered that Ahalya was misled by Indra and, as fate would have it, was eventually cursed. But this assumption is false. It is true that Indra approached Ahalya disguised as her husband, but Ahalya instantly knew that it was Indra. Yet she still proceeded with the act due to curiosity or temptation, and eventually both were cursed by Gautham.

4.Sita Swayamvar- It is common knowledge that Ram wedded Sita by breaking the bow at her Swayamvar after all other suitors tried their hand and failed that day. But it’s not entirely true; Sita’s swayamvar had happened a long time before Ram came to Mithila. Then none of the suitors could lift the bow and string it. Years after, Sage Vishwamitra took Rama to Mithila and requested King Janaka to show them the bow. Rama effortlessly lifted and in fact broke the bow, fulfilling the conditions. He was only 15 years old when he married Sita!

5.The condition- The requirement was to lift and string (mount the string on) the massive divine bow. Rama effortlessly lifted the bow and started to string it to examine its tautness. It was during this process — due to his immense strength — that the bow broke in the middle.