Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the two ancient and classical stories of "Ramayana," attributed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and "1001 Arabian Nights," which is a collection of stories collected over many centuries by various authors, translators and scholars in various countries. The paper specifically compares the characters within the stories and the lessons of morality that they teach.

Table of Contents:
Purity and Deceit in Ramayana
Purity and Deceit in 1001 Arabian Nights

From the Paper
"Eventually there are no more virgins and Scheherazade offers herself as the next bride. In order to keep his daughter alive, Scheherazade's father tells Shahryar a story without telling him the conclusion. In order to hear the end, Shahryar must keep Scheherazade alive. The next, Scheherazade finishes the last tale and begins another, only again to stop short of revealing its conclusion. Thus, the 1001 stories of the book are told. Although each of these stories involve their own tales of morals, purity and deceit, in an effort to teach Scheherazade a lesson, this act of telling stories itself is deceitful in that it is done as a method of tricking Scheherazade. However, this act of deceit, like the act of deceit done by Brahman in creating Rama to defeat evil, this act of deceit is also done for the greater good."

Tags:deceit, purity, hero

Abstract
This paper explains that, in Valmiki's "The Ramayana", women are used --specifically Sita and Soorpanaka--to show the value of a good woman versus that of an evil women. This is unusual; because in ancient Indian, female characters usually are excluded from stories or play minor roles. Next, the author relates the story and the role of these women. The paper underscores that "The Ramayana" teaches valuable life lessons, such as the characteristics a man is looking for in a wife.

From the Paper
"Soorpanaka, on the other hand, is surely secondary to her brother, Ravana, who is the king of Lanka. However, she is also a queen, and the forest where Rama and Sita choose to call home was her land, which she ruled over. She commanded armies and even, to some extent, her brother. If it would not have been for Soorpanaka's urging him, Ravana would have never kidnapped Sita in the first place. In fact, the act of kidnapping another man's wife went against his better judgment. This shows that Soorpanaka had considerable control over Ravana, even though she was a woman."

Tags:kidnap, appearance, disposition, lessons, domestic

Abstract
The paper explores the corporate understanding of the Hindu people and the concepts of the hero and the heroic based on the interpretations of this writer of the narratives in "The Ramayana". The paper also includes the position of this writer on the identified conceptions of the hero and the heroic.

From the Paper
"The Ramayana is an epic tale from Hindu history. The scenarios involved in the stories date back about one thousand years. The corporate understanding of the Hindu people, of the concepts of the hero and the heroic, is identified in this essay. The bases of this identification are the interpretations of this writer of the narratives in "The Ramayana". The position of this writer on the identified conceptions of the hero and the heroic also is stated in this essay..."

Tags:Hero, Heroic

Abstract
The paper examines how nature takes on symbolic properties in the Indian epic poem "Srimad Valmiki Ramayana" and the Tang Poem "The Sun Rises and Sets" by Li Po. More specifically, the paper seeks to explain how nature signifies ideas about human behavior in Rama's role as a hero while also discovering how uses of nature in "The Sun Rises and Sets" are connected to ideas of alienation and longing.

From the Paper
"The following discussion examines how nature takes on symbolic properties in the Indian epic poem "Srimad Valmiki Ramayana" and the Tang Poem "The Sun Rises and Sets" by Li Po. More specifically, the current work seeks to explain how nature signifies ideas about human behavior in Rama's role as a hero while also discovering how uses of nature in "The Sun Rises and Sets" are connected to ideas of alienation and longing."

Tags:tang poetry, rama, sri rama

Abstract
This paper explains that "Ramayana" mirrors humanity perfectly: each of its main role players, including the monkey-king Hanuman, the King of Birds, Garuda, and even the lowly squirrel that helps Ram build the bridge to Lanka, are embodiments of the human characteristics of goodness. The author points out that this book is an enjoyable read, while sacrificing none of the religious, cultural, or moral aspects of the story. This paper explores the character of Ravana, the demon king, who is the very epitome of evil.

From the Paper
"The relationship between Ravana and his brothers is also intriguing. Vibishana was the very antithesis of Ravana. He loved his brother but was also disturbed by what he had done. He counseled his brother to return Sita to Rama. Failing that, he then went over the side of Rama. Vibishana was of tremendous help to the forces of good. He served in many significant ways. He confided in all of Ravana's strengths and weaknesses. In return, he was promised the throne of Lanka. On the other hand, Ravana's second brother Kumbhakarana was endowed with exclusively demonic attributes. Through years of meditation, he had elicited the boon of immortality. The Gods fearing this had caused him to sleep for millennia. Being awakened before his time would be his only Achilles heel."

Tags:ravana, king, brother, characteristics, devi

Abstract
This paper examines the influence and importance of the Ramayana of Valmiki in Indian society. Initially, its origins and content are outlined. The emphasis is on its continuing influence, particularly as it relates to current events and Hindu/Muslim tensions in India.

Abstract
This three-page undergraduate research paper compares and contrasts the characters of Prince Rama and his wife Sita in the epic Indian poem, Ramayana, translated by R. K. Narayan.

Abstract
This paper analyzes how two classic epics reveal the different sides of women from the Hindu perspective. The author shows how "Mahabharatas'" character Satyavathi portrays the female as being cunning, aggressive, bold and powerful, while "Ramayanas'" Sita plays the role of the timid push-over.

From the Paper
"The reason it is mentioned here is because Jamison talks largely with reference to Mahabharata. She adds that women depicted in Mahabharata were all expected to adorn the role of "patni". She is requited to play "a crucial role in knitting together her community. By producing sons, she insures the linkage of generations and the continued veneration of the ancestors. By dispensing food and hospitality, she forges harmonious links between different segments of secular Aryan society. By her role in the srauta ritual (and by making such ritual possible), she links gods and men and allows the religious life of the community to proceed" (p. 254). However Jamison further adds that this is simply an outer rosy picture of the wife who is actually living a life of sacrifice and thus this picture only "puts a deceptively positive spin on the conceptual position of this wife." In fact, she continues, "all the linkages just mentioned are perilous and anxiety producing. Allotting the woman important roles there essentially make her into cannon fodder" (p. 254). She "incurs the risks of hospitality" in marital life precisely because she is "in essence a permanent 'guest,' almost a hostage to the proper hostly behavior of a set of functional strangers, her in-laws" (p. 255)."

Tags:female feminine wife, hindu culture, hindu women

Abstract
This paper explores the text of R.K. Narayan's telling of "The Ramayana" in relation to the human qualities in the characters of Rama and Ravana. Rama is explored as embodying all of the positive human qualities, while the demon-king Ravana exemplifies all negative human qualities.

Abstract
This paper focuses on important relationships mentioned in the two famous ancient stories of "Epic of Gilgamesh" and "Ramayana". These relationships are known for the elements of myth and fantasy present in them. Readers notice that love that appears in ancient stories is strangely different in nature from love as we know it today

From the Paper
"In ancient stories, we often come across relationships, which are rather strange in nature. These relationships and their intensity often surprise the readers because of the elements of fantasy and myth in them. But they also make these relationships unique and interesting and thus invite the readers into a whole new world of fantasy and dream. But upon close study, we notice that these relationships are not merely based on man's desire and need for companionship but in most cases have a purpose to serve. For example in the story of Epic of Gilgamesh, the relationship of the protagonist with Enkidu humbles the former and teaches him more about love and compassion. This was the primary reason why Enkidu was sent in Gilgamesh's life."

Tags:literature, ancient, love, relationship, novel, myth, fantasy