Ramayana and Caste

Ramayana and Caste

by Cole Myers -
Number of replies: 2

In every case, the audiences of any work will create different interpretations of a text. We have already discussed how the narrative of the Ramayana has privileged higher caste audiences. Christians of different social classes focus on different aspects of their stories; it is only natural that Hindus of different castes would focus on different aspects of their stories. Notably, non-brahmin women's telling of the Ramayana concentrate less on Rama than Sita, instead looking at "Sita's life in the forest, Urmila's sleep, Sita's request that Rama capture the golden deer, Ravana's kidnapping of Sita, and the battle between Rama and his sons, Kusa and Lava." (Many Ramayanas p 131). They veer away from women's ritual role, for example. They also did not focus on "hidden sexuality, feminine modesty, and descriptions of games played by husband and wife" (Many Ramayanas p 131). Different castes have different narratives to tell. 

Brahmins, a highly ritualized caste, focus on ritual. Other castes don't have the need to focus on these intricacies, so they may focus on other parts of the story, from the gendered issues to the issues of the narrative itself.

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In reply to Cole Myers

Re: Ramayana and Caste

by Deleted user -
Cole, I like your thoughts. Your statement, "Different castes have different narratives to tell" is so strong. Depending on one's cast and the intricacies of it, the person interprets the narrative accordingly.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Ramayana and Caste

by Deleted user -
Emma, I completely agree. Cole's last piece that you pointed out is a perfect summary of how different "classes" (for lack of a better word) translate the Ramayana's lessons to their own lives. Just as Christians use and teach parables as analogies for their own seasons of life.

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