Narrative Techniques and Symbolism in the Ramayana: A Literary Analysis

Abstract

For ages, academics have been fascinated by the epic poem known as the Ramayana, which is considered to be one of the most respected works of Indian literature. This study will conduct an extensive literary examination of the Ramayana, with a special emphasis on the Ramayana's storytelling strategies and symbolism. This research aims to discover the deeper levels of significance that are buried in the epic's verses by conducting an investigation of the complex narrative techniques that are used throughout the text. It explores the use of allegory, metaphor, and allegorical storytelling that the sage Valmiki, the epic's original author, and successive retellers utilised in their narratives. The look at the ubiquitous symbolism in the Ramayana and analyses how it functions as a potent vehicle for transmitting important philosophical, ethical, and cultural ideas. This research aims to shed light on the enduring literary significance of the Ramayana and its capacity to resonate with readers across a wide variety of cultural and temporal contexts by dissecting the text on both a structural and thematic level. The research was carried out in order to achieve this goal. As a result of this, it provides new insights into the ageless allure and everlasting significance of this ancient epic.