The Myth of Rama Setu & Truth of the Sethu Canal

The epic-story of Ramayana has been intricately woven in the Pan-Indian landscape and in the minds of millions of sentimental believers over many generations, albeit the true difference between hagiography and historiography of the Ramayana has seldom been pondered upon. Many versions of the same story have been written and propagated, not only in India, but also across southeast Asia. Even outside of the Hindu (Sanatana/Vedic) religion, the Ramayana has been narrated in anti-Vedic religions like Jainism & Buddhism. Passing references to the story have even been recorded in the earliest of the Tamil corpus – Sangam Literature. Such is the popularity of its theme, that there exists around 300 versions of the same story across the spectrum. With such immense reach, it has become very difficult to separate the myth portion from the historic portion.

When it comes to modern day scientific projects benefitting the humankind, such age-old myths are posing a great challenge, because of the interwoven sentiments and religious authorities thereof. During such times, an attempt can be made to revisit the myth and the story - in its original form, and research the inconsistencies and fallacies surrounding the myth. That would help to clear the air and aid in the differentiation of myth vs. history.

This paper enquires into the original narration of Valmiki Ramayana, esp. the Yuddha Kanda (Sarga: 22, Slokas: 51-83) – that talks about the Bridge construction process of the Rama Setu and documents the inconsistencies of the Mythical Bridge. It also clears the air on whether Valmiki was a Tribal or a Brahmin? The paper brings out the difference between Itihasa (historical fiction) & Purana (absolute fiction), which will help the reader to appreciate the difference between hagiography vs. historiography. It also puts the current day Rameswaram shrine in a historical perspective. In addition, this paper also outlines the details of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) – its history, goals, recent developments, geopolitics, merits & demerits of the shipping canal - that has been currently stalled due to various complexities arising out of Rama Setu myth.

Prof. Kannabiran Ravishankar

Kannabiran Ravishankar (KRS) is a Researcher and Adjunct Professor at the Paris University. He focuses primarily in Comparative Linguistics and his specializations are Classical Tamil Literature, Literary & Grammatical History, History of Humanism & Social Justice, and Science in the Language Corpus. KRS is also a full time Investment Banker by profession.

His publications include: Comparative techniques of Drama in Shakespeare & Ilango, Painting Patterns in ThirukkuRaL Concordance and 15 other research papers, with his main thesis being: 'Comparative Studies of Master Poets: Ilango & Kamban' from a Social Justice standpoint. In addition to Tamil, he is well versed in Sanskrit & Indo-European languages and adept in handling both Devotional & Rational Literature. He has also majored in the Sāma Vēda / Chāndōgya Upanishad.

KRS has translated into Tamil, NASA’s Learning Card Project of the James Webb Space Telescope. He has authored the books: ‘aRiyapadaatha ThamizhMozhi’ (The Unknown Tamil Language), ‘What is Tamil?’, ‘Humanism & Dravidian Movement – A Success Story’ and ‘Thamizhaa? Samskrithamaa?’ (Tamil or Sanskrit?). He also serves as the Editor of the Journal of Dravidian Studies – Dravida Pozhil. His next book – ‘aRiyapadaatha chilapathikaaram: Thamizh Nila Arasiyalin Thiruppu Munai’ (The Unknown Story of Silappathikaaram: Cornerstone of Tamil Geopolitical Landscape) is to be released shortly.

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References & Further Reading:

Valmiki, Shrimad Valmiki Ramayana – Vol. 1 & 2 (Book 1 Ch. 2 Verse 14) - Gita Press Gorakhpur, 1998
Shantilal Nagar, Jain Ramayana: Paumacaryu (Rendering into English from Apabhrmsa) - BR Publishing, 2004
N. Vanamamalai (Pillai), The Legend of Ram Setu and Rameshwaram - V. Narayanan and Bror., 1929
Paula Richman, Many Ramayanas: The Diversity of a Narrative Tradition in South Asia - University of California Press, 1991
Gregory M Clines, Jain Ramayana Narratives: Moral Vision and Literary Innovation – Routledge, 2022
Hasmukhlal Dhirajlal Sankalia, Ramayana: Myth or Reality? - People's Publishing House, 1973
Zachary Karabell, Parting the Desert: The Creation of the Suez Canal – Vintage Books, 2004
EKG Nambiar & V Suryanarayan, Sethu Samudram Project: Divergent Perspectives – (Centre for Indian Ocean Studies) University of Calicut, 2005
CV Venkateswaran, Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project (Part 1: Report & Estimate) – Ministry of Transport & Shipping, Government of India, 1968