Question

question 5 of 10
what purpose do the frequent references to hindu gods serve in the ramayana?
a. to keep outsiders from understanding the deeper meanings
b. to draw upon the readers common, shared knowledge
c. to suggest that the gods themselves created the work
d. to make the text resemble other works that mention gods

Explanation:

The Ramayana is a foundational Hindu epic, and its original audience was deeply familiar with Hindu deities and their associated myths, values, and symbolism. References to Hindu gods allowed the text to connect with readers' existing cultural and religious knowledge, reinforcing thematic messages and making the narrative's moral and spiritual core more accessible and resonant. The other options are incorrect: there is no intent to exclude outsiders, the text is not framed as divinely created in this context, and the references serve a specific cultural/thematic purpose rather than mimicking other works.

Answer:

B. To draw upon the readers' common, shared knowledge