What is the Ramayana?
The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of ancient India, alongside the Mahabharata; its name means “the story of Rama.” It is attributed to the legendary poet Valmiki and took its present form over a long period.
What is the story?
Rama, prince of the Kingdom of Kosala, is exiled and living in the forest when his wife Sita is abducted by the demon king Ravana. With the help of his brother Lakshmana and an army of monkeys led by the monkey hero Hanuman, Rama invades Ravana’s island of Lanka and rescues Sita. The story features a flying vehicle, the “Pushpaka Vimana,” which is the origin of the vimana legend. Ravana is a king of the rakshasas.
The Ramayana across Asia
The Ramayana spread widely to Southeast Asia and was absorbed into the performing arts and cultures of many regions, such as Thailand’s “Ramakien” and Indonesia’s wayang shadow puppetry. Hanuman, the monkey hero who flies and shapeshifts, is said to be one of the models for Sun Wukong of China’s Journey to the West.
