Studies in the Epics and Puranas c7.s2.3

c7.s2.3

While the *Mbh* represents a mixture of popular epic and theological didactic poetry, the *Rām* is a popular epic and ornate poetry at the same time. The *Rām* is much shorter, having the extent of nearly a quarter of the present *Mbh*, and is still a fairly unified epic poem in its extant form. Unlike the *Mbh*, which speaks of its three editions, the *Rām* has no statement about its amplifications or revisions. Whereas the authorship of the *Mbh* is in dispute, it being ascribed to several authors, Vālmīki is practically accepted as the author of the *Rām*. What the *Mbh* is for the Aryan kingdoms of the West, the *Rām* is for those of the East. In the *Rām* is reflected a greater simplicity of life among the Aryans, and it shows absence of acquaintance with the Mlecchas, meagreness of reference to advanced states, absence of elaborate military tactics in the form of the vyūhas, existence of small kingdoms, abundance of forests and forest life in the country. The *Mbh*, though showing considerable advance in civilisation over the Rāmāyaṇic period in war, diplomacy, and in various phases of society, displays some archaic features such as polyandry and *niyoga*, and belongs to a ruder, more warlike age. The nucleus of the *Mbh* creates a much more archaic impression than the *Rām*. If the *Mbh* emphasises the practical aspects of life, the *Rām* preaches the highest ideals of it. The *Mbh* owes its sacred character not so much to its heroes as to the didactic sections added to it later, while it is the inherent purity of its hero and heroine that give sanctity to the *Rām*. The characters in the former strike us as human beings while those in the latter appear to be idealised.