Ramayan & Mahabharat are sacred texts in the Hindu religion. They were made into an episodic series in the late 80s and early 90s. During our childhood, we watched Ramayan and Mahabharat with not only our family but a few neighbors too who didn’t have a television, so they used to come to our house just to watch these programs.
These serials helped our cultural values, brought people together and taught us several life lessons. For children it played a greater role as we looked up to more righteous and respectful Shree Ram as an idol. The serials taught us the importance of respect towards the elders, no matter who they were. The love & care for the young ones.
One of the great things about re-telecasting these serials is that the new generation of this country will know about the long lost history of this nation and us. People visit so many places like Ayodhya, Mathura, Kashi, etc. and don’t know the full relevance and history of that place. This will help them connect the dots. This is probably the best thing to do during this lockdown. Watch Ramayan and Mahabharat on Doordarshan with you entire family.
In today’s era, television is giving us very hi-tech, good graphics and high budget series. Lately we have seen this trend among Indian series makers on Netflix to add sex and ‘realistic’ violence in their episodes. Not against it but not for it as well. In these times when the entertainment industry is going out and out commercial – Ramayan and Mahabharat will bring back the lost innocence and purity that television used to have. A program on television after ages which the entire family can watch together – enjoy together.
Ramayan teaches you perseverance and sacrifice. The sacrifice of the elder son Shree Ram. The sacrifice of Laxman and Sita Mata. The sacrifice & love of the younger brother Bharat to never take the throne and wait for his elder brother to come back. The devotion of Hanumanji. So many relationship values to learn from.
Ramayan and Mahabharat also teach us that no matter how powerful the evil is, no matter how long is the suffering but in the end the righteous and the good people win. You have to do your duty no matter how hard it might be. You also learn about two very important aspects of life: Dharma & Karma.
There is so much to write about these great Hindu Sacred text that neither I would do justice to them nor there is enough time and space for it. I hope you will watch them on Doordarshan and see it yourself. Try to imbibe the good values that you see and also learn about what not to do. Hope you have a good time watching these great series with your family. It is the best way to spend your time during lockdown and even after it.
