Kolkata Scholars Have Discovered a 6th-Century Ramayana. Here’s How It’s Different.

Here’s some fascinating news for culture nerds: scholars have discovered a brand new manuscript of the Ramayana that may help deepen our understanding of the Indian epic.

This manuscript, which is from the 6th century, will likely displace the 12th-century rendition by Tamil poet Kamba as the second-oldest version. The widely known 4 BC Ramayana by Valmiki is still the oldest known version.

An accidental find by scholars at the Asiatic Society in Kolkata, the intriguing manuscript was discovered when they were researching the Vanhi, or fire, Purana. After initial puzzlement when the text in the Purana changed course and started referencing a different story, they realized that the story was, in fact, one that most of us know well — the story of Rama, Sita, and Ravana.

There are certain key differences between this version and others, however. Instead of the seven sections (or kanda) in other versions, it has only five. It does not include the Balakanda, the portion about Rama’s childhood, or the Uttarkanda — ending instead with Rama and Sita’s return from exile and Rama’s ascension to the throne. Neither does it begin with Rama’s father Dasarath’s curse that sent his son to exile. It begins, instead, with a curse on Goddess Lakshmi.

It also describes Rama as more human than God.

Image for representation only. Source: Wikipedia

“Ram here is more human than God, with follies like anger and failure. Some interesting details – like the ages of Sita and Rama at the time of marriage and the date when Sita was abducted by Ravana – are in this version,” said scholar Manabendu Bandyopadhyay.

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