The Ramayana

by Traditionally attributed to Valmiki

Also known as: रामायण (Rāmāyaṇa)

"The Ramayana embodies dharma (cosmic and social duty), the triumph of good over evil, devotion, and the eternal struggle between righteousness and desire."

Type:Epic Poem

Source:Ancient India

Original Date:c. 700–500 BCE (oral tradition, late Vedic age)

Written Date:c. 500–100 BCE (compiled in Sanskrit)

Length:7 books (~40 hours)

Summary

The Ramayana tells the story of Prince Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, whose wife Sita is abducted by the demon-king Ravana. With the help of his brother Lakshmana, the devoted monkey-warrior Hanuman, and an army of allies, Rama embarks on a quest to rescue Sita. Beyond its thrilling narrative of exile, battles, and devotion, the poem explores themes of duty, loyalty, the ideal ruler, and the cosmic balance between dharma and chaos. The Ramayana remains one of the most influential texts in Hindu culture, inspiring countless retellings across South and Southeast Asia.

Themes

Dharma (cosmic order and duty)Exile and returnGood vs evilDevotion and loyaltyHeroism and sacrificeThe divine incarnate in the human

Major Characters

RamaSitaLakshmanaHanumanRavanaDasharathaKaikeyiSugrivaVibhishanaIndrajit (Meghanada)Jatayu

Notable Quotes

"When Rama is remembered, so too is Sita; when Sita is remembered, so too is Rama."
Book 1

"It is dharma that sustains the world."
Book 2

"Hanuman’s leap across the ocean was no greater than the leap of devotion across despair."
Book 5

Notable Translations

Ralph T. H. Griffith(1870)

One of the earliest English verse translations.

C. Rajagopalachari(1951)

Abridged prose retelling, popular in India.

Hari Prasad Shastri(1952)

Complete prose English translation.

R. K. Narayan(1972)

Accessible retelling for modern readers.

Arshia Sattar(1996)

Highly regarded modern prose translation.

Bibek Debroy(2017)

Faithful modern English verse translation.