International Conference on Sanskrit and eastern Studies (ICSES)
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Item Rāma’s Character as the Guardian God of Sri Lankan People according to the Historical Legends in Sri Lanka(International Conference on Sanskrit and Eastern Studies, 2018 Department of Sanskrit and Eastern Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Ven. Piyarathana, M.; Ven. Dhammadhaja, E.The main objective of this research paper is to examine how Rāma influenced and inspired the people of Sri Lanka to absorb a great many elements of the Indian cultural heritage. At the same time, it will examine how the Rāma’s character is considered as the guardian god of Sri Lankan People according to the historical legends in Sri Lanka. Rāma, who is worshipped in Sri Lanka to this day as Viṣṇu was in an earlier times hailed as a hero by the Sinhala race since it was he who brought victory to the Aryans over the non- Aryan Yakṣas then inhabiting the Island. The prestigious value accorded to this story has survived till the beginning of the 20th century. Rājāvaliya, Sihabā Asna, Maleraja Kathāva Nohoth Dandumonara Yanthraya, Hanthane Deviyange Kavi, Rāvana Kathava, and Rāvana Sanhāraya, is some of the works worth mentioning in connection with Rāma and Rāvana. The Rājāvaliya emphatically states that the battle between Rāma and Rāvana. The poetical work Ran Dunu Paralaya, praises the heroism and prowess of god Rāmaover Rāvana. This work is important because it says that Rāma is at the same time Upulvan Visnu. Ingirisi Hatana, describing the battle between the Sinhalese and the English, compares the Sinhala leaders to Rāma and the British general to Rāvana. These examples say that the two characters of Rāma and Rāvana are the heroes of a pre-historic battle between two race groups. Rāma, the victorious, in course of time was defined by his people and remembered with affection. According to the folk legends and beliefs among the Sinhalese people regarding Rama and Rāvana, it is clear that Rāma lives in the heart of every Buddhist and Hindu in Sri Lanka in the form of god ViṣṇuItem The Status of Woman in Vedic Period(International Conference on Sanskrit and Eastern Studies, 2018 Department of Sanskrit and Eastern Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Ven. Piyarathana, M.; Ven. Dhammadhaja, E.The Vedic age was an important phase in the progress of Indian civilization and culture. Like all other civilizations, it has evolved from a simple system of a complex society. To shed light on the society, there are four main Vedas. The aim of this research is to examine the status of woman in Vedic period. Early Vedic people had a tribal life and then gradually evolved to territorial state. The status of woman during Vedic period is a complex matter and it is likely that reality might have been something different. According to available Vedic literature, in early Vedic age woman enjoyed a position of respect and esteem and there was a gradual decline in the status of woman in later Vedic period. During Rig Vedic period woman occupied the same position as man in intellectual and spiritual life. The literature mentions name of some woman like Vishwavara, Apala, Ghosha who composed hymns to attain the rank of Rishi. Besides, scholars there were also woman warriors. Girls were given freedom to choose their husband and were married only after attaining the age of maturity. There was no seclusion or purdah system, woman moved freely and participated in the public feasts and festivals. There is no reference of Sati (burning of widows) and practice Niyoga (married to any of the brother of dead husband).After all the rights bestowed upon woman, it is important to note that woman did not have equal rights as man in social and legal aspects. They did not possess the right to hold property. The birth of daughter in the family began to be looked down upon. The system of dowry also came into practice. According to Satapatha Brahmana, Maitryayni and others, an ideal woman is the one who dines after her husband and bracketed woman with dice and wine as the three main evils of the society. Texts also advocated marriage of girl before puberty and laid numerous restrictions on woman with regards to marriage, education, inheritance etc. These factors gradually led to the decline in the status of woman during the subsequent period