"Let's play, Who Wants to be a Millionaire!!!"- Blog Topic #4

In the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" the main character Jamal was asked a question about a Hindu god that is widely known throughout India.  In this blog I will explore Hinduism as a religion and the Hindu god Rama to better understand the context of the question.  Predating recorded history (according to the religion), Hinduism is the world's oldest religion.  Hinduism is the largest religion in India today with over 800 million followers, about 80.5% of the total population.  Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that includes hundreds of gods and demons.  Hindus also believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution, or reincarnation in other words.  To Hindus all life is sacred and that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others.  Karma is a belief of Hindus that guide their lives towards doing good.  Karma to Hindus is what controls all consequences good and bad in a persons life and controls what kind of reincarnation they undertake after death.  Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single person will be deprived of this privilege.  

 

The Hindu god Lord Rama occupies a very considerable place in the religious life of India.  He is the epitome of righteousness and is believed to be the reincarnation of Vishnu (the supreme god in Hinduism).  Lord Rama is the hero of the religious epic called Ramayana, which was written sometime between the fifth and first century B.C. The story goes that Rama was asked by Saint Vishwamitra to destroy a demon named Tarka and her two sons.  Rama completed this task and was sent before King Janak.  The king said that whoever could bend King Shiva's bow (bow and arrow) would have the hand of his daughter Sita.  Rama was able to bend the bow and take Sita for his own.  This is why Rama is always depicted holding a bow.

Many temples in India are home to Rama which always portray him as having two arms like that of a human and holding his bow.  This aspect makes him widely popular because people inspire to be like Rama.  To Hindus the expression of Rama means that peace and prosperity reign.