Valmiki's Ramayana , with its 24,000 verses, shows us the Lord's qualities. We are charmed by His qualities. That is the power of Lord Rama's personality. That is why many people who came after Valmiki have written the story of Rama. One such poet was Murari, said Adur Asuri Madhavachari, in a discourse.
Murari wanted to write a play, and was trying to decide who should be the hero of his play. After much thought, he decided that it should be Rama. However, he thought he would ask his friends for their opinion on his choice of hero. His friends felt that the story of Rama had been dealt with in detail by Valmiki. What more could Murari add to the story?
The friends were wrong to think so, for how can all of Rama's qualities be contained in any one work of writing? Can the Infinite be condensed to fit into what is finite? Any number of people can write about Rama, and yet, the description of His qualities will remain incomplete. Murari, therefore, went ahead with his original idea to write about Rama and wrote a play with Rama as its hero. This play was titled Anargharaghava .
The story of Rama is one that can be studied and enjoyed from different angles. It is said that the Vaishnavite Acharya Ramanuja learnt Valmiki's Ramayana 18 times from Peria Nambi. The Ramayana has so much to offer. It contains what the Vedas spoke of. It shows us what those in power should be like. It shows how the citizens of a country should conduct themselves. It speaks of how children should behave towards their parents. It shows the love a husband must bear for a wife, and she for him. It shows how we should behave towards our siblings.
It is popularly known as Saranagati Sastra because it shows us the significance of surrender at the Lord's feet, but it also has many other lessons for day-to-day life.
Reading the Ramayana ushers in auspiciousness. That is why when people are disturbed about something, it is suggested that they read the Sundara Kandam. Anjaneya said he would rather stay on earth and listen to Rama's qualities being praised than go to Sri Vaikunta.
