Shambuka: Difference between revisions
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Your edit superseded the earlier pointy edits, either way you should get consensus. This character does not appear in Mahabharat. Tags: Manual revert Reverted |
Redtigerxyz (talk | contribs) Undid revision 1186215421 by Dympies (talk) like it or not he is alluded in the Mbh; please discuss on talk and present RS instead of WP:IDONTLIKEIT; you can correct the alleged "earlier pointy edits" separately instead of blanket revert of 10 edits of 2 editors; only the lead is being discussed currently |
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{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}} |
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}} |
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[[File:Rama kill shambuka.jpg |thumb|Rama slays Shambuka. Illustration from a [[Mughal miniature]] of the Ramayana.]] |
[[File:Rama kill shambuka.jpg |thumb|Rama slays Shambuka. Illustration from a [[Mughal miniature]] of the Ramayana.]] |
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'''Shambuka''' ({{Lang-sa|शम्बूक}}, [[IAST]]: śambūka) is |
'''Shambuka''' ({{Lang-sa|शम्बूक}}, [[IAST]]: śambūka) is a character whose story is found in the "[[Ramayana#Uttara Kanda|Uttara Kanda]]".<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last=Nadkarni |first=M. V. |year=2003 |title=Is Caste System Intrinsic to Hinduism? Demolishing a Myth |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/4414252 |url-status=live |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=38 |issue=45 |page=4787 |pages= |issn=2349-8846 |jstor=4414252 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112191423/https://www.jstor.org/stable/4414252 |archive-date=12 November 2022 |access-date=12 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="Paula_2008" /> According to the story, Shambuka, a [[shudra]] ascetic, was killed by [[Rama]] for attempting to perform [[Tapas (Indian religions)|tapas]] in violation of [[dharma]], resulting in the bad [[karma]] which caused the death of a [[Brahmin]]'s son.<ref>Government of Maharashtra, ''Nasik District Gazeteer:'' {{cite web |url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/nasik/005%20History/001%20AncientPeriod.htm |title=History - Ancient Period |access-date=2006-10-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107163101/http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/nasik/005%20History/001%20AncientPeriod.htm |archive-date=7 November 2006 |df=dmy-all }} (text credited to Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. V. V. Mirashi)</ref><ref name="Prasad57" /><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fi9nnQAACAAJ |title=Śrīmad Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa |publisher=[[Gita Press]] |year=1992 |edition=3 |volume=Part III - Yuddha Kāṇḍa and Uttara Kāṇḍa |pages=2130–2135 |language=English, Sanskrit |chapter=Cantos LXXV-LXXVI (75-76) |oclc=27360288 |access-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405165759/https://books.google.com/books?id=fi9nnQAACAAJ |archive-date=5 April 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Some have said that the story is regarded to be created at a later period,<ref name=":0" /> and that the ''Uttara Kanda'', which includes Shambuka's tale, is a later interpolation to the original epic ''[[Ramayana]]''.<ref name="Paula_2008">{{cite book |author=Paula Richman |title=Ramayana Stories in Modern South India: An Anthology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c-p9Iyk3lpkC&pg=PA111 |year=2008 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-21953-4 |page=111 |access-date=27 April 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806052957/https://books.google.com/books?id=c-p9Iyk3lpkC&pg=PA111 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=An Introduction to Eastern Ways of Thinking |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |page=158 |quote=By now, it can be confirmly said the ' Uttarkand ' of Ramayana is an interpolation of quite later period}}</ref> However, others have argued that the Book is considered part of the "ongoing ''Ramayana'' tradition", with the ''Uttara Kanda'' being made part of the ''[[Valmiki Ramayana]]''<ref name="Paula_2008" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sattar |first=Arshia |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=pRtwDQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=uttara+the+book+of+answers&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=uttara%20the%20book%20of%20answers&f=false |title=Uttara: The Book of Answers |date=2016-11-14 |publisher=Penguin Books Limited |isbn=978-93-85990-35-9 |language=en}}</ref> and the story included in other renditions. |
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In [[Jain literature]], story of Shambuka is different and he is [[Surpanakha]]’s son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/surpanakhas-shambuk-23292936|title=Surpanakha's Shambuk|date=18 June 2023 }}</ref> |
In [[Jain literature]], the story of Shambuka is different and he is [[Surpanakha]]’s son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/surpanakhas-shambuk-23292936|title=Surpanakha's Shambuk|date=18 June 2023 }}</ref> |
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==Story== |
==Story== |
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== In Ramayana versions == |
== In Ramayana versions == |
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[[File:Sri Rama meets muni Shambhuka.jpg|alt=Valmiki Ramayan I Gita Press Gorakhpur by MahaMuni |thumb|Valmiki Ramayan I Gita Press Gorakhpur by MahaMuni महामुनि का संग्रह"]] |
[[File:Sri Rama meets muni Shambhuka.jpg|alt=Valmiki Ramayan I Gita Press Gorakhpur by MahaMuni |thumb|Valmiki Ramayan I Gita Press Gorakhpur by MahaMuni महामुनि का संग्रह"]] |
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Shambuka is allulled in 12.149.61.62<ref>{{Cite book |last=Buitenen |first=Johannes Adrianus Bernardus |url= |title=The Mahabharata, Volume 7: Book 11: The Book of the Women Book 12: The Book of Peace, Part 1 |last2=Fitzgerald |first2=James L. |date=1973 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-25250-6 |page=814 |language=en}}</ref> in the epic ''[[Mahabharata]],'' between a debate between a jackal and a vulture at cremation ground. The jackal urges the family of a dead young boy to not abandon him at the cremation ground citing how Rama revives a dead Brahmin boy and slew the sudra Shambuka.<ref>Sherraden pp. 1-2</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Apaddharmanusasana Parva: Section CLIII |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a152.htm |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=sacred-texts.com}} [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] p. 338, Note 338:1</ref> |
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The Shambuka also appears in [[Raghuvaṃśa]], an epic poem composed by celebrated Sanskrit poet [[Kālidāsa]] in 5th century CE; [[Uttararamacarita|Uttaaramacarita]], a Sanskrit play composed by [[Bhavabhuti]] in 7th century AD and the 15th century Sanskrit text ''[[Ananda Ramayana]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Richman |first=Paula |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RW6MrAiJ-0C&q=sambuka |title=Questioning Ramayanas: A South Asian Tradition |date=2001 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520220744 |page= |pages=54, 95-96 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Kalidasa, Mallinatha, M R Kaale |url=https://archive.org/details/raghuvamsaofkali00kliduoft/page/xxii/mode/2up?q=sambuka |title=The Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa : with the commentary (the Samjivani) of Mallinatha |date=1922 |publisher=Bombay : P.S. Rege |page=22 |language=en |oclc=1051754532}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Kalidasa, Mallinatha, M R Kaale |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/raghuvamsa-of-kalidasa-with-the-commentary-the-samjivani-of-mallinatha-cantos-xvi-xix-edited-with-a-literal-english-translation-copious-notes-in-sanskrit-and-english-and-various-readings-c-c-by-mr-kale/oclc/223345573 |title=The Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa : with the commentary (the Samjivani) of Mallinatha |date=1922 |publisher=Bombay : P.S. Rege |language=en |oclc=223345573}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nunan |first=Thomas Ahlers |date=2013 |title=Renogitating A Beheading: Literary Opposition To Varna Hierarchy In Shambuka's Story|language=en}}</ref> <!-- Rama's killing of Shambuka is also mentioned in verse 749 in prabandham 'Perumal Thirumozhi' (sung by [[Kulasekara Alvar]]) of [[Naalayira Divya Prabandham]], a collection of 4,000 verses composed by the 12 [[Alvars]].<ref>{{Cite book |author=Kulasekara Alvar |url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0512_02.pdf |title=Perumal Thirumozhi, Naalayira Divya Prabandham |publisher=Project Madurai |pages=131 |language=en}}</ref> --> The legend is also covered in the ''[[Ramavataram]]'' written by Tamil poet [[Kambar (poet)|Kambar]] in 12th century AD.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mani|first=Vettam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&q=Jambavan&pg=PP5|title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature|date=2015-01-01|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0597-2|language=en|pp=678-9}}</ref> |
The Shambuka also appears in [[Raghuvaṃśa]], an epic poem composed by celebrated Sanskrit poet [[Kālidāsa]] in 5th century CE; [[Uttararamacarita|Uttaaramacarita]], a Sanskrit play composed by [[Bhavabhuti]] in 7th century AD and the 15th century Sanskrit text ''[[Ananda Ramayana]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Richman |first=Paula |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RW6MrAiJ-0C&q=sambuka |title=Questioning Ramayanas: A South Asian Tradition |date=2001 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520220744 |page= |pages=54, 95-96 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Kalidasa, Mallinatha, M R Kaale |url=https://archive.org/details/raghuvamsaofkali00kliduoft/page/xxii/mode/2up?q=sambuka |title=The Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa : with the commentary (the Samjivani) of Mallinatha |date=1922 |publisher=Bombay : P.S. Rege |page=22 |language=en |oclc=1051754532}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Kalidasa, Mallinatha, M R Kaale |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/raghuvamsa-of-kalidasa-with-the-commentary-the-samjivani-of-mallinatha-cantos-xvi-xix-edited-with-a-literal-english-translation-copious-notes-in-sanskrit-and-english-and-various-readings-c-c-by-mr-kale/oclc/223345573 |title=The Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa : with the commentary (the Samjivani) of Mallinatha |date=1922 |publisher=Bombay : P.S. Rege |language=en |oclc=223345573}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nunan |first=Thomas Ahlers |date=2013 |title=Renogitating A Beheading: Literary Opposition To Varna Hierarchy In Shambuka's Story|language=en}}</ref> <!-- Rama's killing of Shambuka is also mentioned in verse 749 in prabandham 'Perumal Thirumozhi' (sung by [[Kulasekara Alvar]]) of [[Naalayira Divya Prabandham]], a collection of 4,000 verses composed by the 12 [[Alvars]].<ref>{{Cite book |author=Kulasekara Alvar |url=https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0512_02.pdf |title=Perumal Thirumozhi, Naalayira Divya Prabandham |publisher=Project Madurai |pages=131 |language=en}}</ref> --> The legend is also covered in the ''[[Ramavataram]]'' written by Tamil poet [[Kambar (poet)|Kambar]] in 12th century AD.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mani|first=Vettam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&q=Jambavan&pg=PP5|title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature|date=2015-01-01|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0597-2|language=en|pp=678-9}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 18:06, 21 November 2023
Shambuka (Template:Lang-sa, IAST: śambūka) is a character whose story is found in the "Uttara Kanda".[1][2] According to the story, Shambuka, a shudra ascetic, was killed by Rama for attempting to perform tapas in violation of dharma, resulting in the bad karma which caused the death of a Brahmin's son.[3][4][5]
Some have said that the story is regarded to be created at a later period,[1] and that the Uttara Kanda, which includes Shambuka's tale, is a later interpolation to the original epic Ramayana.[2][6] However, others have argued that the Book is considered part of the "ongoing Ramayana tradition", with the Uttara Kanda being made part of the Valmiki Ramayana[2][7] and the story included in other renditions.
In Jain literature, the story of Shambuka is different and he is Surpanakha’s son.[8]
Story
According to this story, when Rama was ruling Ayodhya, a Brahmin approached the court and told everyone that his young son has died due to the misrule of Rama. Rama immediately called a meeting with all his ministers and enquired about the cause of this. The sage Narada told him that this has happened due to a violation of a rule of tapas (austerities). Narada informed him that a shudra was performing tapas, which was prohibited in the age of Treta. So Rama went in search of the shudra and found the place where Shambuka was performing penance. After confirming that Shambuka is indeed a shudra, Rama killed him. The gods praised Rama for this act and congratulated him for protecting their interests and for not allowing shudra to attain heaven in person. Brahmin's son was also resurrected.[2][4]
In Ramayana versions
Shambuka is allulled in 12.149.61.62[9] in the epic Mahabharata, between a debate between a jackal and a vulture at cremation ground. The jackal urges the family of a dead young boy to not abandon him at the cremation ground citing how Rama revives a dead Brahmin boy and slew the sudra Shambuka.[10][11]
The Shambuka also appears in Raghuvaṃśa, an epic poem composed by celebrated Sanskrit poet Kālidāsa in 5th century CE; Uttaaramacarita, a Sanskrit play composed by Bhavabhuti in 7th century AD and the 15th century Sanskrit text Ananda Ramayana.[12][13][14][15] The legend is also covered in the Ramavataram written by Tamil poet Kambar in 12th century AD.[16]
This story is missing in later renditions of the Ramayana such as —which ends with coronation of Rama. The Ramcharitrmanas written by Tulsidas in 16th century AD.[17]
Reception
According to local temple legend, Rama temple at Ramtek owes its origin to Shambuka. It is believed that Shambuka performed his tapas on Ramtek hill. Rama granted Shambuka three boons at his request: Rama stay in Ramtek (origin of the temple), Shambuka's corpse be turned into a shivalinga (icon of the god Shiva). Devotees worship Shambuka before worshipping Rama, as per the last boon.[18][19]
Authors such as Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi treat the character of Shambuka as an interpolation and creation of a later period.[20][21] The Pushtimarg Vaishnavite tradition points out that the Ramayana refers to other shudras, such as Shabari, who lived in the forest. Shambuka therefore deliberately violated dharma in order to get Rama's attention, and attained salvation when he was beheaded.[22] The celebrated Kannada poet Kuvempu, in his play Shudra Tapasvi shows Rama as having to both carry out his duty by punishing Shambuka, and simultaneously protect Shambuka, as a pious and devout sage, from persecution, and thereby turns the story into a critique of Brahminical attitudes and a defense of Rama.[23] Kuvempu treats "Uttara Kanda" to be an interpolation and finds the story of Shambuka to be "wholly untenable".[24]
In his seminal work Annihilation of Caste, B. R. Ambedkar points out the story of Shambuka while criticizing the varna system. He argues that not only it is impossible to accurately classify people into four definite classes but that the varna system faces the problem of the transgressor. He further explains that unless the transgressor is punished, men will not keep to their respective classes i.e. the whole system will collapse. In the Ramayana, according to Ambedkar, Rama ensured that transgression did not happen in his kingdom by killing Shambuka.[25][26][27]
Indian social activist and politician Periyar vehmently criticized Rama for his mistreatment of the Shudras, citing Shambuka's example.[28]
K.R. Raju termed the story of Shambuka as "frivolous" and "maliciously fabricated".[29]
In popular culture
- Teesri Azadi, a film on caste system depicts story of Shambuka.
Notes
- ^ a b Nadkarni, M. V. (2003). "Is Caste System Intrinsic to Hinduism? Demolishing a Myth". Economic and Political Weekly. 38 (45): 4787. ISSN 2349-8846. JSTOR 4414252. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d Paula Richman (2008). Ramayana Stories in Modern South India: An Anthology. Indiana University Press. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-253-21953-4. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ^ Government of Maharashtra, Nasik District Gazeteer: "History - Ancient Period". Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 1 October 2006. (text credited to Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. V. V. Mirashi)
- ^ a b Hari Prasad Shastri (1957). The Ramayana of Valmiki. Vol. III - Yuddha Kanda and Uttara Kanda. Shanti Sadan. pp. 583–586. ISBN 978-0-8542-4048-7. OCLC 654387657. OL 8651428W.
- ^ "Cantos LXXV-LXXVI (75-76)". Śrīmad Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa (in English and Sanskrit). Vol. Part III - Yuddha Kāṇḍa and Uttara Kāṇḍa (3 ed.). Gita Press. 1992. pp. 2130–2135. OCLC 27360288. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ An Introduction to Eastern Ways of Thinking. Concept Publishing Company. p. 158.
By now, it can be confirmly said the ' Uttarkand ' of Ramayana is an interpolation of quite later period
- ^ Sattar, Arshia (14 November 2016). Uttara: The Book of Answers. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 978-93-85990-35-9.
- ^ "Surpanakha's Shambuk". 18 June 2023.
- ^ Buitenen, Johannes Adrianus Bernardus; Fitzgerald, James L. (1973). The Mahabharata, Volume 7: Book 11: The Book of the Women Book 12: The Book of Peace, Part 1. University of Chicago Press. p. 814. ISBN 978-0-226-25250-6.
- ^ Sherraden pp. 1-2
- ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Apaddharmanusasana Parva: Section CLIII". sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 21 November 2023. Kisari Mohan Ganguli p. 338, Note 338:1
- ^ Richman, Paula (2001). Questioning Ramayanas: A South Asian Tradition. University of California Press. pp. 54, 95–96. ISBN 9780520220744.
- ^ Kalidasa, Mallinatha, M R Kaale (1922). The Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa : with the commentary (the Samjivani) of Mallinatha. Bombay : P.S. Rege. p. 22. OCLC 1051754532.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kalidasa, Mallinatha, M R Kaale (1922). The Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa : with the commentary (the Samjivani) of Mallinatha. Bombay : P.S. Rege. OCLC 223345573.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Nunan, Thomas Ahlers (2013). "Renogitating A Beheading: Literary Opposition To Varna Hierarchy In Shambuka's Story".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Mani, Vettam (1 January 2015). Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 678–9. ISBN 978-81-208-0597-2.
- ^ Rinehart, Robin (2004). Contemporary Hinduism: Ritual, Culture, and Practice. ABC-CLIO. p. 246. ISBN 978-1-57607-905-8.
- ^ Paula Richman in Sherraden p. xviii
- ^ Leslie, Julia (22 November 2017). Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki. Routledge. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-351-77299-0.
- ^ Gangeya Mukherji (29 November 2020). An Alternative Idea of India: Tagore and Vivekananda. Taylor & Francis. p. 83. ISBN 9781000083774.
- ^ D. K. Misra; Shambhu Lal Doshi; C. M. Jain (1972). Gandhi and Social Order. Research Publications in Social Sciences. p. 14. ISBN 9780896843950. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
Mahatma Gandhi , on the other hand, has regarded this entire story as an interpolation
- ^ Motiramji Sastri, Ramayan (in Gujarati) (Ahmedabad, 1961).
- ^ 'M. Raghava, "The king and the protector of the devout" The Hindu (26 October 2004).
- ^ Nadkarni, M. V. (2003). "Is Caste System Intrinsic to Hinduism? Demolishing a Myth". Economic and Political Weekly. 38 (45): 4783–4793. ISSN 2349-8846. JSTOR 4414252. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ B.R. Ambedkar (2020). Ambedkar's India. Sristhi Publishers & Distributors. p. 47. ISBN 9789387022898. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ Aishwary Kumar (2015). Radical Equality: Ambedkar, Gandhi, and the Risk of Democracy. Stanford University Press. p. 292. ISBN 9780804794268. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ Kurukundi Raghavendra Rao (1993). Babasaheb Ambedkar. Sahitya Akademi. p. 25. ISBN 9788172011529. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ Richman, Paula (9 March 2018). "Why Periyar was critical of the Ramayana (and Rama)". Scroll.in. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ Untouchability Affire Archived 5 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine, p.17, 1997
References
- Sherraden, Aaron (1 August 2023). Śambūka and the Rāmāyaṇa Tradition: A History of Motifs and Motives in South Asia. Anthem Press. ISBN 978-1-83998-471-6.