Ramayan | Ramayana | Ramayanam | Short Stories | Bala kanda | Episode 12 | What is an astra? How do astras look like? what do astras do? What special astras did Rama receive from Vishwamitra?

Ramayan Episode 12:

Who gave brahmastra to rama? What is an astra? How do astras look like? what do astras do? What special astras did Rama receive from Vishwamitra? - All these topics are covered in the video which also presents Sargas 27-28 of Bala kanda in Ramayana

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Summary of Ramayana: This is the story of Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Lakshmana, Ravan, Lanka and Ayodhya filled with sanskrit slokas, weapons like brahmastra, etc. Once upon a time there lived a person named Sri Rama - He is the eldest son of Dasaratha who ruled Ayodhya. Dasaratha wanted to crown him the king but his wife Kaikeyi objected to this. Instead, she wanted to send Rama to exile and crown her son Bharata as the king. A weakened Dasaratha approved Kaikeyi's conditions. Rama left Ayodhya followed by his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita. Dasaratha was unable to live without Rama and passed away. Vasishta and other sages requested Bharata to become the king of Ayodhya - but Bharata declined. Bharata never had any intentions to become a king, and left Ayodhya in search of Rama. After meeting him, Bharata requested Rama to come back to Ayodhya and rule it as a king. Rama declined Bharata's request and instead offered bharata his "Padukas" as a symbol of representation. Bharata went back to Ayodhya, placed the padukas on the throne and continued ruling Ayodhya as a subject of Rama.

One day, a rakshasi called Surphanaka visited their parnasala. Rama ordered Lakshmana to cut her nose and ears. A vengeful Surphanaka instigated her friends to attack Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. Rama alone defeated 14000 rakshasas in the ensuing battle. Ravana heard about the deaths of his subjects from Surphanaka. He met his friend Maricha and together they kidnapped Sita and left to Lanka. Searching for Sita, the brothers met Hanuman near Pampa river who introduced them to Sugriva. Rama and Sugriva exchanged their stories and promised friendship in the presence of Agni. Rama promised to kill Sugriva's brother Vali after hearing about him from Sugriva. Together, they all reached Kishkindha where Sugriva invited Vali for a fight. Rama killed Vali with his arrow and crowned Sugriva as the king of Kishkindha. Sugriva organized a search in all directions for Sita with all the vanaras in his kingdom. Hanuman who went south jumped across the ocean to reach Lanka. After looking in all places he finally found Sita in Asoka vana. He shared the story of Rama and Sugriva to Sita and gave her a ring from Rama as a proof of his identity. He then consoled Sita, wreaked havoc in Lanka and eventually burned it down. He flew back across the ocean and reached kishkindha to share his findings with Rama. Ready to fight, the vanara sena built a bridge across the ocean and reached Lanka. Rama defeated Ravana in a fierce battle. All the gods and sages blessed the couple and Rama coronates Vibhishana as the king of Lanka. They all board pushpaka vimana to head back home. Eventually the four brothers reunite at Nandigrama and Sri Rama is crowned as the King of Ayodhya. He ruled the land for 11000 years. Under his rule the people were always very happy, healthy and wealthy.

The story of Rama is a very good tool to build character, correct our flaws and lead a dharmic life.