Ramayana

The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic recounting Prince Rama’s exile, Sita’s abduction by Ravana, and her rescue with the help of Hanuman and an allied army.

Rama: A prince and central hero of the Ramayana, portrayed as an exemplar of duty and kingship. His exile and struggle to recover Sita drive the epic’s central plot.
Valmiki: A revered Sanskrit poet traditionally regarded as the author of the Ramayana. The Sanskrit epic is conventionally attributed to him.
Dharma: A broad Indian concept encompassing duty, moral order, right conduct, and law. Rama’s choices are repeatedly tested against competing duties.
Ramayana in Southeast Asia: The diverse adaptations of the Ramayana found across Southeast Asian cultures. Regional versions transform the epic’s characters and episodes beyond South Asia.
Ram Rajya: An idealized vision of just and prosperous rule associated with Rama’s reign. The epic’s account of kingship became a lasting political and ethical ideal.
Sita: Rama’s wife, abducted by Ravana and held captive in Lanka in the Ramayana. Her abduction sets the rescue campaign in motion.
Sanskrit epic: A long narrative poem in Sanskrit, often centered on heroic action and moral or cosmic order. The Ramayana is one of the foundational works of this literary tradition.
Dasharatha: The king of Ayodhya and father of Rama in the Ramayana. His promise to Kaikeyi precipitates Rama’s exile.
Ramlila: A North Indian dramatic tradition that stages episodes from Rama’s life, especially during Dussehra. Its performances bring the epic’s narrative into annual public celebration.
Sita's trial by fire: The episode in which Sita undergoes a fire ordeal after Rama defeats Ravana. It makes the epic’s ideals of honor and justice especially contested.

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