Ramayana

I have never read an Indian epic before, but Ramayana is a first Indian epic for me. The Ramayana is a Sanskrit poem during India’s heroic age. The poem expresses Hindu values and tells the adventures and exile of Prince Rama of Kosola. The poem has both teachings about religion and ethic. In the poem Prince Rama encounters dharma and karma. Dharma is explained as proper human conduct or how one should carry themselves while karma is a record of a person’s deeds.
When I first read Ramayana, other terms such as brahmin, brahman, atman, samsura, and moksha are confusing. I have to clarify what these terms mean in order to understand the epic better. I have learned that Brahmin is the priest who is knowledgeable while brahman is the Great World Soul (moneistic force). Atman is an individual soul while samsura is a soul that migrate to another body. In order for a person to be released from their cycle of reincarnation, their atman and brahman have to merge called moksha.
After re-reading the epic, those words become more clearer. Because Rama is the reincarnation of God Visnu, whose purpose is to preserve dharma, he is the most virtuous out of the other three princes. Rama lives by the rules of dharma, he is expected to do what the caste requires. Despite the fact that queen Kaikeyi plots to disinherit Rama from his coronation, Rama is happy to give up his position as king. He accepts the 14 years in exile to serve his father's words. This is the most surprising part of the epic. I think he should have questioned and reasoned as to why he is to be exiled for fourteen years. I don't see much reason or logic behind his acceptance.
Rama's adventure into the forest is accompanied by his wife, Sita, and his brother. They face several demons known as Ravana. This demon kidnaps Sita and keeps her as a prisoner. As a result, Rama uses Hunuman, a powerful monkey who can leap the ocean, in search of Sita. Scandals and accusations of Sita's not being faithful arise once Rama saves her from the demon. Overall, the poem has all sorts of myths and tales. I enjoy reading Rama's adventure and also learning the basis of Hindu religion, dharma.