The Ramayana is the Greatest Epic the world has ever seen. This is written by the great Poet Maharshi Valmiki. The vision and the voice of Valmiki are seen at their best in this poem which is considered the most ancient poem. When the Supreme incarnated as Rama the Vedas manifested as Ramayana through the pen of Valmiki. Ramayana conveys the subtle message of the Vedas. It teaches the Sanathana Dharma in the most simple language. This work deals with life and conduct of man at various levels – like father and son, husband and wife, brother and brother, King and the citizens etc. and so the Ramayana is called the Philosophy of humanity.

The medium and the message are both equally important for any epic poet and Valmiki has done full justice to both. The entire poem deals with character study at different levels. Each character in Ramayana has played a wonderful role. The important characters in Ramayana are Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Hanuman, Kaikeyi, Kooni (Mantharai), Ravana, Vali, Sugriva, Dasaratha, Kousalya and Sumitra. The Ramayana is essentially a family epic. It recognizes family as the foundation for social harmony, human diginity and universal brotherhood. Bharata plays the role of a brother who has no equal. Sita stands for an ideal wife. Hanuman plays the role of totally dedicated messenger. This great epic contains twenty four thousand slokas coming under seven Kandas(Chapters).
Dasaratha was the king of Ayodhya. He had three wives-Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. He had no child. So he performed a sacrifice to beget a child. After the sacrifice, he got four sons viz. Rama through Kausalya, Bharata through Kaikeyi and Lakshmana and Satrughna through Sumitra.
Once sage Visvamitra took Rama and Lakshmana to the forest for protecting his yagna. On the way Rama killed a demons called Tataka as advised by Visvamitra. After the sacrifice was over Visvamitra took Rama and Lakshmana to Mithila. Rama broke the bow in Janaka’s court and married Sita. On his way to Ayodhya Rama humbled Parasurama.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dasaratha wanted to apoint his eldest son Rama as heir apparent. All the people of Ayodhya were very happy hearing this news. But Manthra, the hunch-backed woman who is Kaikeyi’s maid servant advised Kaikeyi to seek two boons from Dasaratha which Dasaratha had promised her when she helped the king during a fight he had with the asuras to support Devendra.
Kaikeyi asked Dasaratha to apoint her son Bharata as heir apparent and send Rama to the forest for fourteen years. To protect his father’s words Rama proceded to the forest along with Sita and Lakshmana. After Rama’s departure, Dasaratha died. Bharata went to the forest and requested Rama to return. But Rama refused saying that keeping up the words of father is the greatest Dharma. Bharata decided to rule Ayodhya as Rama’s representative staying at a village called Nandagrama. Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana entered the forest called Dandakaranyam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

While in Dandakaranyam Rama set up his hermitage at a place called Panchavati. One day a demon called Soorpanakha who is the sister of Ravana, the king of Lanka came to Panchavati. She requested Rama to marry her. But Rama sent her to Lakshmana for making fun. Lakshmana sent her back to Rama.
Rama said that he is already married and Sita was his wife. Soorpanakha became angry and tried to kill Sita. As advised by Rama, Lakshmana cut her ear and nose. Soorpanakha went to Ravana and narrated the entire incident. Ravana requested Maricha to help him in carrying away Sita. Maricha appeared in the form of a gold deer near the hermitage. Sita was very much tempted and requested Rama to catch the deer. When Rama killed the deer it shouted Oh! Lakshmana, Oh! Sita. Hearing this cry, Sita requested Lakshmana to go to Rama’s help. When both the brothers were absent, Ravana who had come in the form of a recluse carried away Sita.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rama and Lakshmana roamed about in the forest searching for Sita. They reached the bank of river Pampa. They met Hanuman who was the minister of Sugriva, a monkey chieftain who was living there being afraid of his brother Vali. Hanuman took Rama and Lakshmana to Sugriva and both entered into an agreement.
Rama promised to kill Vali and make Sugriva, the king of Kishkindha and in turn Sugriva promised to find out Sita. During the fighting between Vali and Sugriva, Rama killed Vali. Sugriva was appointed as the king of Kishkindha. Rama handed ove his ring to Hanuman who was proceeding to Lanka for finding out Sita. Hanuman was inspired by Jambavan who is an aged bear. Hanuman went to the top of the mountain Mahendra in order to cross the ocean.

 

 

 

 

 

Hanuman started crossing the sea. Then the king of the ocean and the mountain Mainaka wanted to do some service for Hanuman. But Hanuman refused and continued his journey. After covering the distance of nearly eight hundred and fifty (850) miles, he entered Lanka. He started searching for Sita in every nook and corner of Lanka. Finally he saw Sita in a garden called Asokavana.
He narated the story of Rama in brief and convinced Sita that he is Rama’s messenger. Hanuman handed over Rama’s ring to Sita. Sita requested Hanuman to give Rama her crest jewel. Before returning Hanuman destroyed the Asokavana. Ravana sent a huge army with many commanders to catch Hanuman. But Hanuman killed all of them including Ravana’s son Akshakumara. Finally Hanuman allowed Indrajith, Ravana’s eldest son to bind him with Brahmaastra. Hanuman was taken to Ravana’s court. Hanuman was punished by Ravana by setting his tail affire. But due to the grace of Sita the fire did not harm him. After burning Lanka Hanuman returned to Rama. Hanuman returned from Lanka and met all the monkeys and Jambavan who were waiting for his return.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanuman proceeded along with the monkeys to Rama. On the way the monkeys enjoyed in Madhuvanam by drinking honey. Hanuman gave a complete report to Rama after handing over Sita’s crest jewel. They all prepared themselves for the battle and crossed the sea and reached Lanka.
Vibhishana advised his elder brother Ravana to return Sita and make peace with Rama. When Ravana was obstinate Vibhishana left him and surrendered to Rama. Battle started and Lakshmana killed Indrajith. Rama killed Ravana and Sita was brought back to him. Sita entered the fire and proved her purity. Hanuman was sent to Nandigama and Bharata was informed about Rama’s return. Rama and all others came back to Ayodhya. Rama was coronated as the king of Ayodhya. Sita gave birth to Lava and Kusa. Finally when the purpose of the incarnation was over. Rama along with the citizens ascended to heaven.
Chanting and studying this great poem is very very auspicious. They shall come to possess all prosperities like wealth, education, children, health and long life. By the grave of the Supreme Lord who incarnated as Sri Rama one shall attain Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.