Ramayana on Stamps

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Dive into the timeless saga of the Ramayana, an epic that transcends centuries and cultures, beautifully captured through philately. This compelling book unveils the intertwining stories of Lord Rama. Sita. and their celestial companions as depicted on stamps from over 30 countries. With insights from the sage Valmiki's ancient verses, it highlights the enduring significance of these tales in modern society. reinforcing values of righteousness and moral integrity. Each chapter presents a unique perspective on the Ramayana, featuring notable quotes, life lessons, and a special focus on Rama's exile path, showcasing stamps that illuminate the places where this divine narrative unfolded. A treasure for philatelists and enthusiasts alike, this collection not only celebrates the epic's profound impact on humanity but also serves as a reminder that the essence of the Ramayana continues to resonate in our lives today, guiding us towards a path of truth and enlightenment.

The Ramayana is a living epic. It is deeply cherished by the people of India and is chanted with devotion and religious fervour even today. It will continue as long as life exists on this earth.

यावत् स्थास्यन्ति गिरयः सरितश्च महीतले।

तावत् रामायणकथा लोकेषु प्रचरिष्यति।

yavat sthasyanti girayah saritasca mahitale tavad ramayanakatha lokesu pracarisyati (Valmiki-Ramayana, Balakanda, 1.2.36)

"So long as the mountains and the rivers remain on the surface of the earth, the story of the Ramayana will continue to be propagated among the people."

The Sage Valmiki is the author of the most popular Sanskrit epic, the Ramayana. He is said to be a contemporary of Rama, the hero of his epic. The Ramayana is called the Adikavya, the first poetry in classical Sanskrit, and in its present form, it is dated variously by scholars: Prof. Jacobi as the 6th century B.C., Dr Monier Williams as the 5th century B.C., Dr Keith as the 4th century B.C., and Dr Winternitz as the 3rd century B.C. Its story predates that of the other great epic, the Mahabharata. Thus, it appears that the current form of the Ramayana in proper classical Sanskrit was due to some re-editing accomplished within the Valmiki School of tradition by a later sage.

For the world, the Ramayana is an epic composed in Sanskrit by Maharishi Valmiki. It tells the life story of Prabhu Shriram, the supreme being who was elevated to the status of the most worshipped Hindu god.

The story of Lord Rama, the seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu, is a fascinating tale from this ancient Indian epic. The Ramayana narrates the divine incarnation of Lord Rama and his heroic journey. The Valmiki Ramayana is the first classical epic in Sanskrit, and no other book in the world has had such a profound impact on the lives and thoughts of people across many nations, including India. The story of Lord Ram, Sita, his brother Laxman, and Hanuman has found resonance in different parts of the world. "The story of Rama lives in the mind of every Indian."

Ramayana has been retold in multiple languages and multiple cultures all over the world. Kumaravyasa, a classical Kannada poet chose to write Mahabharata, because he says that the world was burdened by Ramayana poets. This is a poet's way of expressing the influence of Ramayana in literature.

What you hold in your hand is not a retelling of Ramayana, but a unique book about Ramayana, using postage stamps and philatelic material from across the globe. Ramayana is not just literature; it has enriched all forms of art. Storytelling through postage stamps is an emerging genre and Mr Lokeswara Rao has been using the medium of stamps to great effect. The book "Ramayana on Stamps" is like a beacon to the present generation to explore the ideals and ethics of Ramayana. It is an invitation to immerse in the teachings of Ramayana for a balanced and meaningful life.

This book has some unique perspectives. Since the postal system is intricately linked with places, the author has chosen to trace the path taken by Rama on his exile using philatelic material. There is a chapter devoted to the popular hymn "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram". A condensed version of the epic in 108 slokas has been included under "Nama Ramyanam". On the whole, this is a book that would be useful to people from all walks of life.

The Ramayana is a Sanskrit epic written in India 2,500 years ago as part of the Hindu canon-the Smriti. The epic tells the adventures of Lord Rama, an incarnation of the God Vishnu, and his fight against Ravana, the demon king. The Ramayana is a tale of devotion, separation, and reunion and an expression of the eternal battle between good and evil. In general, the epic explores the tenets of human existence and the concept of Dharma the person's righteous duty on earth.

The Ramayana is one of the oldest and longest epics in the literary world, comprising close to 500 chapters and 24,000 verses spread across seven parts. It is one of the most revered and celebrated scriptures of the Hindu religion, telling the epic saga of Prabhu Shriram. Believed to be the seventh reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, Rama was born as the son of Kaushalya and Raja Dashratha in Ayodhya. The tale of Prabhu Shriram's life, especially the part between his exile and return to Ayodhya, constitutes the crux of this legendary religious epic. Despite being a king. Prabhu Shriram's life was full of hardships, pain, and suffering, which were also shared by his beloved wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshmana, during and even after their fourteen-year exile. However, Rama persistently showed extraordinary courage, patience, virtue, generosity, and ethical decisiveness in the face of the greatest predicaments and tribulations of life.

"Ramo Vighravan Dharma" means Shri Ram is Dharma incarnate. Maharishi Valmiki called Shri Ram 'Dharmavigrah' in the Ramayana, signifying that God incarnated for the welfare of the people. Maharishi Ved Vyas stated that the incarnation of Shri Ram was not just for killing demons but for teaching dharma to humans. Patience, forgiveness, control of mind, selflessness, purity, restraint of senses, wisdom, knowledge, truth, and mercy these ten characteristics of dharma are properly reflected in the entire conduct of Shri Ram. The word "dharma" has its roots in the Sanskrit word "dhr," which means "to hold" or "to support." It is related to the Latin word "firmus," meaning "firm" or "stable." From these roots, "dharma" takes on the meaning of "that which is established or firm," and by extension, it refers to "law." The term is derived from an older Vedic Sanskrit n-stem, "dharman," which originally meant "bearer" or "supporter" in a religious context. Dharma encompasses behaviours, order, customs, and principles that make life and the universe possible. This includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues, and the "right way of living."

In the first section of the famous Geeta Govinda, the poet Jayadeva writes about the ten incarnations (Dasavatara) of Lord Vishnu and evokes Vishnu as Krishna Keshava. "O Krishna, I offer my obeisance to you who appear in ten incarnations. As Parshurama, you annihilated all the wicked Kshatriya kings, and as Ramachandra, you killed the demon king Ravana." The stamp of Parshurama issued by India Post in 2008 commemorates Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda and Parshurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu.

Parshuram, the Sixth Avatar of Vishnu "Kshyatriyarudhira maye Jagadapagata papam Shwapnayasi Payasi Samitava tapam Keshava Dhruta Vrigupatirupa, Jaya Jagadisha Hare.

Oh, Keshava (Vishnu)! In the form of the Lord of Bhrigus-Parshuram-you have rid the earth of its tyrannous rulers, thus purifying it of sin and destroying the suffering of the world.

**Contents and Sample Pages**