Epic7 KandasAbout 24,000 verses7 KandasSanskrit, by ValmikiHundreds of retellings16 versions to read
Ramayana: Myths & folk tales
रामायणThe journey of Rama: a prince exiled for fourteen years, a wife carried across the sea, a monkey who leapt the ocean, and a war fought to bring her home.
Myths and folk tales
Beloved episodes that grew around the epic. Each is labelled with where it comes from, so you can tell them apart from the text itself.
Later traditionThe Lakshman RekhaThe protective line Lakshmana draws around the hut before leaving Sita. It is not in Valmiki's text; it comes from later retellings and folk tellings.
Folk traditionThe squirrel who helped build the bridgeA tiny squirrel rolls in sand and shakes it between the rocks to help. Rama strokes its back, leaving three stripes. Told in Telugu, Tamil and many folk tellings, not in Valmiki.
Popular beliefStones that floated with Rama's nameStones inscribed with "Rama" floating on the sea. In Valmiki the Ocean simply promises to hold up whatever Nala builds.
Regional retellingsAhiravana and the five-faced HanumanHanuman rescues Rama and Lakshmana from the underworld king Ahiravana by taking a five-faced form, an episode told in several regional Ramayanas.
Adhyatma RamayanaThe shadow SitaBefore the abduction, the real Sita enters the fire and leaves a shadow (Chhaya or Maya Sita) to be taken by Ravana; the fire ordeal brings the real Sita back.
Folk traditionRatnakara the robberValmiki was once a highway robber who became a sage by chanting "mara, mara", which turned into "Rama". The story is popular but is not in the Ramayana itself.
Krittivasi RamayanRama's untimely worship of DurgaBefore the final battle, Rama worships Durga in autumn, offering 108 lotuses and nearly his own eye. Bengal links this akal bodhan with Durga Puja.
Jain traditionLakshmana kills RavanaIn the Jain Paumachariya it is Lakshmana, not Rama, who kills Ravana; Rama avoids violence and attains liberation.