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STORIES · THE RĀMĀYAṆA · Ayodhyā

Jabali's materialist argument to Rama

Classical

An openly materialist argument sits inside the epic.

The brahmana Jabali urges Rama to accept the kingdom. He argues each being is born and dies alone, parents and homes are only resting places, a father is merely a seed, funeral rites and gifts are empty teachings invented to encourage giving, and nothing lies beyond what can be seen. Sarga 109 title: Rama refutes Jabali's atheistic arguments.

Who: Jabali, Rama, Vashishtha

Bound to

Kaikeyi's two boons causes

Places: Chitrakuta

Where this comes from

• valmiki · Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda (valmikiramayan.net translation) sarga 108

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