The BBC reports on a major conflict essentially over whether the Ramayana is correctly represented by Hindus in India, or whether it has been changed and arisen in many different versions:- ” A row has broken out in the Indian capital over whether Delhi university should teach a controversial essay about the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. The essay by the well-known scholar AK Ramanujan was dropped from the history syllabus earlier this week after protests from Hindu hardline groups. The article describes 300 different retellings of the epic story found in India and other Asian countries. Protesters say the versions recounted in the essay offend Hindu beliefs. Entitled “Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translation”, the essay has been part of the university’s history course since 2006. Hindu groups have protested against its inclusion since 2008. Following an order from the Supreme Court, an expert committee was formed to look into the issue. Last week, three of the four committee members recommended that the essay should remain part of the syllabus. Nevertheless, the university’s academic council [which decides the syllabus] voted to drop the essay from the syllabus earlier this week.” READ REST OF ARTICLE HERE
One should realise that the Ramayana is one of the most revered scriptures in India and probably a majority of Hindus take it as gospel! It is again coming under the same historical, scientific scrutiny as biblical text have, and the results are – not surprisingly – similar as regards the authenticity and authorship of the various versions. Sathya Sai Baba often presented the Ramayana stories as literally true, even saying he was there in the figure of Rama himself. Devotees are programatically obliged to believe that if they are to be reckoned as being good disciples with sufficient unquestioning faith in the omniscient avatar. The sublime soon becomes the ridiculous where mulish defenders of the truth of ancient scriptures are involved, whatever the religon.
See also:
Sathya Sai sees Hanuman as a real figure
Sai Baba declares he is Vishnu and Krishna come again
How can so many Indians be fooled so much of the time?
Sathya Sai Baba Deceptions Exposed 