Abstract: In this post, I will go into the forgotten history of India: the Sanskrit/Ramayana influence in Asia. I will also cover how Ramayana is the nation epic of countries such as Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.
When Columbus set out to discover a route to the Indies, he was not merely looking for the present-day India. He was referring to the whole region of South & Southeast Asia. Do you know why? Do you know that the national epics of Laos and Thailand are based Ramayana and the national symbol of Indonesia is Garuda?
A Laos stamp honoring the Rama ballet.
Here is region broadly called as Greater India by the scholars.
Hinduism came to Southeast Asia in about 200 BC through the traders from Kalinga (eastern India). It was mainly concentrated around Java and Sumatra (Indonesia and Malaysia). Around the same time, the Khmerrulers of Cambodia started adopting Hindu practices. By around 8th century, they became completely Indianized, adopting Sanskrit names (Jayavarman II), Hinduism, adopting Ramayana and building Hindu temples.
The etymology of Cambodia is a little bit controversial, as it derives from the Sanskrit word Kambuja. Kambojas refers to a Iranian tribe who had no castes. Thus, Brahmins called the Cambodians (who had no castes either) as Kambujas (the word implies "casteless barbarian").
The Tagalog language of the Phillipines was heavily influenced by Sanskrit.
Ramayana talks about Yavadweepa (Java) where Sugriva sent out scouts in search for Sita. Festivals and culture of Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia are influenced by a lot of Ramayana elements. Rama Overview
The national epic of Cambodians Reamker is a story of Rama. The Ankor temples of Cambodia have a large number of Ramayana and Mahabharatha sculptures. Cambodia. The Malay version - Hikayat Seri Rama used to be pretty popular there until the arrival of Islam. The national epic of Laos is Phra Lak Phra Lam (meaning the story of Rama).
Balinese has elaborate Hindu festivals centered on Rama.
Both Tamil and Sanskrit had a big influence on South east Asia kingdoms as both South Indians Cholas as well as north Indian traders started establishing their cultural elements on these islands.
The statue of Harihara in Indonesia
Trimurti temple of Java. Prambanan
Ayutthya (Ayodhya) temple of Thailand. Ayutthaya Kingdom
Ankor Wat of Cambodia (largest Hindu temples in the world)
Taman Ayun Temple of Bali
Garuda symbol of Indonesia.
Further reference:
Influence of Ramayana
Hinduism in Southeast Asia
When Columbus set out to discover a route to the Indies, he was not merely looking for the present-day India. He was referring to the whole region of South & Southeast Asia. Do you know why? Do you know that the national epics of Laos and Thailand are based Ramayana and the national symbol of Indonesia is Garuda?
History
Until about the 15th century, Indian culture was not just limited to the land of the Ganges, but was spread from Lanka to Srivijaya (Sumatra: Malaysia/Indonesia), Yavadvipa/Singhasari (Java), Kambuja (Cambodia), Ayutthaya (Thailand) and Lanka. In the 14th century, most of Southeast Asia came under the Hindu kingdom of Majapahit.Here is region broadly called as Greater India by the scholars.
Hinduism came to Southeast Asia in about 200 BC through the traders from Kalinga (eastern India). It was mainly concentrated around Java and Sumatra (Indonesia and Malaysia). Around the same time, the Khmerrulers of Cambodia started adopting Hindu practices. By around 8th century, they became completely Indianized, adopting Sanskrit names (Jayavarman II), Hinduism, adopting Ramayana and building Hindu temples.
Sanskrit Names
The name Indonesia comes from the same source as India - Indus river as the Indians began to have a big influence there 1500 years ago.Singapore is a Sanskrit word meaning the city of the lion. Sumatracomes from the Sanskrit word Samudra (meaning ocean). Java comes from the Sanskrit word Yava (meaning barley). Siam (the official name of Thailand until 1939) comes from the Sanskrit word - Shyama (meaning brown).The etymology of Cambodia is a little bit controversial, as it derives from the Sanskrit word Kambuja. Kambojas refers to a Iranian tribe who had no castes. Thus, Brahmins called the Cambodians (who had no castes either) as Kambujas (the word implies "casteless barbarian").
The Tagalog language of the Phillipines was heavily influenced by Sanskrit.
Ramayana influence
Ramayana has a big influence all over South east Asia. Thai kings are called Rama (Kings of Thailand) - from the Hindu god Rama and their old kingdom was called Ayutthya from the Rama's city (Ayodhya). The official symbol of Indonesia is Garuda Pancasila (the carrier of Rama).Ramayana talks about Yavadweepa (Java) where Sugriva sent out scouts in search for Sita. Festivals and culture of Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia are influenced by a lot of Ramayana elements. Rama Overview
The national epic of Cambodians Reamker is a story of Rama. The Ankor temples of Cambodia have a large number of Ramayana and Mahabharatha sculptures. Cambodia. The Malay version - Hikayat Seri Rama used to be pretty popular there until the arrival of Islam. The national epic of Laos is Phra Lak Phra Lam (meaning the story of Rama).
Balinese has elaborate Hindu festivals centered on Rama.
Other cultural influence
Both Tamil and Sanskrit had a big influence on South east Asia kingdoms as both South Indians Cholas as well as north Indian traders started establishing their cultural elements on these islands.
The statue of Harihara in Indonesia
Trimurti temple of Java. Prambanan
Ayutthya (Ayodhya) temple of Thailand. Ayutthaya Kingdom
Ankor Wat of Cambodia (largest Hindu temples in the world)
Taman Ayun Temple of Bali
Garuda symbol of Indonesia.
Further reference:
Influence of Ramayana
Hinduism in Southeast Asia
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