The
Four books known as Ithihasas are Valmiki Ramayana, Maha
Bharatha, Yoga Vasishta and Harivamsa. These works explain the great
universal truths contained in the principles and philosophy of Sruthis
and the laws of Smrithis. They are given to us as historical narratives
and stories, presented with analogies and parables in a tasteful
form, written for the benefit of the common people, suitable for
all mankind, from the inquisitive child and an illiterate devotee
to the intellectual scholar.
Ramayana,
written in twenty-four thousand Sanskrit verses by Sage Sri Valmiki
relates to the story of Sri Rama, an Avathara of Sri Maha Vishnu,
and his three brothers who are the sons of King Dasaratha, descendants
of the Solar Race. The story describes their childhood, marriages,
the exile of Sri Rama, carrying and recovery of Sita, the war with
Ravana, and the reign of Sri Rama at Ayodhya. The epic teaches the
Dharma and Karma, and every aspect of life in perfection is shown
with Sri Rama and others as ordinary human beings. The brothers
show examples of affection and mutual service. Sri Sita is shown
as the ideal woman. Sri Hanuman stands as an example of an ideal
and unique Karma Yogi. He is also an example of "Dhasya Bhava" form
of Bhakthi or devotion to God as a Servant to Master.
The
epic Maha Bharatha, written in one hundred thousand Sanskrit
verses, by Sri Veda Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipaayana), is the story of
two royal families of Pandavas and Kauravas, descendants of King
Bharatha of Lunar race, who are cousins fighting the great war of
Kurukshethra. This epic touches upon every aspect of Hindu religious
teaching, the practice, philosophy, mysticism and polity and is
rightly called the fifth Veda.
Sri
Krishna, as an avathar of Sri Maha Vishnu, appears in this epic.
He establishes the rules of righteousness with his Super Human manifestations
and his teaching of 'Srimad Bhagavat Geetha' in the middle
of the battle field. He explains the righteous path of Dharma and
Karma and the path to moksha or liberation of Soul.