Tag Archives: REL131

The Uses and Meanings of Color in the Ramayana

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Linda Biafore

The use of imagery in any great epic is not accidental. Especially in such a visual and tangible culture as that of India, the use of any color was carefully chosen for the sensation it would induce in the reader … Continue reading →

Posted in student | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hanuman: The “Every-Man” of Contemporary Hinduism

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Isabel Ditkoff

In recent decades there has been a widespread proliferation of Hanuman— the monkey deity— worship and iconography throughout India. While he is perhaps most famous for his role as a loyal Rama-devotee in the epic Ramayana, Hanuman is also the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rama and Ravana’s Divine Antagonism

Posted on November 21, 2014 by cdelago

Through this post, I will be exploring both the mystical relationship of Ravana and Rama; as well as how their characters were viewed moralistically at the time through the use of Tulsi’s views on society; to explore how Ravana and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Crime of Passion for the Sake of Honor: Using the Ramayana as a Source

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Marissa McFadden

Recently in the news: a father in New Delhi, India surrendered to the police because he tortured and then proceeded to murder the man who allegedly raped his 14-year-old daughter; he took matters into his own hands, as opposed to … Continue reading →

Posted in student | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Managing Sita

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Lily Fedorko

Sita (popular heroine of the Ramayana), as I understand her, is no more than a woman who is desperately in love with her husband. Personally, I think we have all seen the consequences and joys that come to those who will do and/or sacrifice anything for … Continue reading →

Posted in student | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Legitimacy of Same-Sex Love in Hinduism

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Aurora Hurd

Many of the major religions that have been largely active and influential in the world have heteronormativity and heterosexism as written and working inner parts. Hinduism cannot be fully be included, though within its myths and literature such social constructions … Continue reading →

Posted in student | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

REL131: Ram, Ramayana, and a Blog

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst

by Ilyse R. Morgenstein Fuerst Our class on the Ramayana focused on intensive reading (1,200+ pages) and genealogies, which is to say, how the Ramayana is read, translated, retranslated, and applied in popular practice, political movements, and in local vernaculars. As the professor for REL131, I’m proud of … Continue reading →

Posted in faculty | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment