In a detailed article for half the day on RAM Navami 2025, the popular mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik explains why Shri RAM, unlike other heroes from Indian epics, is never shown by driving on the car. It uses this point to explore deeper and older Rocayana roots.
Shri Ram is always depicted as a large archer, but never as a royal figure hunting lions from the car. But it was common in ancient kingdoms such as Egypt and Persia.
In contrast, Shri Ram passes through the forests, fights on foot and travels in wild areas where the cars would not work.
According to Pattanaik, this shows that Ramon’s story comes from an older time when the cars were not common in India. He says the car was introduced later, around 1500 BCE, Steppe Nomads. It was a sign of military power.
Shri Ram, however, is more associated with forest areas like Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Therefore, its image is easier and more based on nature.
Pattanaik says Ramayana is likely to come from approximately 1000 BCE before the sugar in India was even used. It points out how the SHRI RAM “Ikshvak” surname first meant gourd and later sugar cane.
Pattanaik also says that Shri Ram’s Bow, Saranga, was probably made of corners and animal parts, similar to weapons from Steppe nomads.
Exil Shri Ram remains north of Vindhyas, and his Ashwamedha Yagna (Royal Ritual) does not include the queen and suggests that SITA is omitted. His sons stop the horses during Yagna, which Pattanaik says he shows that they opposed injustice.
Did Ravan belong to Odisha?
It also refers to the Jain version of Ramayana, which says Vanars were forest people with flags of monkeys, not real monkeys. Ravana is said to belong to the Meghavahan family, also associated with King Kharavel of Odisha. It reflects a combination of Vedic and tribal cultures.
Shri Ram calls Kishkinda part of his kingdom and shows that it was in southern Kozan, today’s Chhattisgarh. The tribal people even call Paschim Lanka. This region, Sirpur, later became an important Buddhist center. According to Pattanaik, this combines mythology with the real historical and cultural landscape.
(Tagstotranslate) RAM Navami 2025
