Question

The use of
is a common feature of epic poetry like The Rámáyan of Válmíki.

Answer 1

Do you mean a single feature to fill the blank? Several features are characteristic of epics; the most common possibilities are:

- Invocation (a proem or prayer to a deity/muse) — many epics open with a formal invocation; Vālmīki’s Rāmāyaṇa contains opening benedictions and praise of the subject.
- In medias res (beginning the story in the middle of things) — a frequent epic technique.
- Epic similes (long, elaborate comparisons, à la Homeric similes).
- Formulaic epithets and repetition (stock phrases and repeated names/titles, e.g. “Rama, son of Dasaratha”).
- Supernatural machinery (gods and other supernatural forces intervening).

If you want a single-word fill, “invocation,” “in medias res,” or “epic similes” would all be plausible depending on context — tell me which you intended and I’ll complete the sentence for you.