(Historic) Rama and Sita
The Rāmāyaṇa is an ancient epic poem that tells the story of a prince, Rama of Ayodhya, whose wife Sita is abducted by the demon Rāvana. The characters of the piece are all fundamental to the cultural consciousness of India. It is dated variously from between the 4th and 2nd century B.C. As in many oral epics, multiple versions of the Rāmāyaṇa survive. In particular, the Rāmāyaṇa related in North India differs in important respects from that preserved in South India and the rest of South-East Asia.[1]
In cryptozoology circles it is not uncommon to read that the yeti is mentioned in the text of the Rāmāyaṇa. Because the piece dates from antiquity, this is seen as evidence that the idea of a large apelike creature living in the Himalayas dates back thousands of years.
Here is the text from one of the mantras in a version that contains a yeti reference. [translation needed]
Twameva mata Cha Pita Twameva
Tvameva Bandhushcha Sakha Tvameva
Tvameva Vidya Dravinam Tvameva
Tvameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva.
Kayena Vacha Manasendriyaiva
Budhyatmana Va Prakrute Swabhavat
Karomi Yad Yad sakalam Parasmai
Nara Yana Yeti Samarpayami
Asato Maa Sad Gamaya
Tamso Maa Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Maa - Amritam Gamaya
Om Shaantih, Shaantih, Shaantih
Om Dyau Shanti Rantha Rikshegun,
Shanti Prithvi, Shanti Raapah
Shanti Ro Shradaya Shanti,
Vanaspathayaa Shantir vishve deva,
Shanti Brahma, Shanti Sarva un
Shanti Shanti Rev, Shanti Saamah Shanti Redhi
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.
