The Ramayana is one of the most ancient and revered epics of Hinduism.
It narrates the story of Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, who was exiled for 14 years along with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. During their exile, Sita was abducted by the demon king Ravana, who wanted to marry her. Rama, with the help of his loyal devotee Hanuman and an army of monkeys, waged a war against Ravana and rescued Sita. The Ramayana also depicts the ideals of dharma, or righteous duty, that Rama and Sita exemplified in their lives.
The Ramayana was composed by the sage Valmiki in Sanskrit, probably between the 8th and 3rd centuries BCE. It consists of about 24,000 verses divided into seven books or kandas. The Ramayana has been translated into many languages and has inspired countless versions and adaptations in literature, art, music, film, and other media. Some of the most popular versions include the Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas in Hindi, the Kamba Ramayanam by Kambar in Tamil, the Reamker by Valmiki in Khmer, and the Ramakien by King Rama I in Thai.
The Ramayana is not only a literary masterpiece but also a sacred scripture for millions of Hindus. It teaches the values of devotion, loyalty, courage, compassion, and morality. It also celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the power of love over hatred. The Ramayana is recited and performed during various festivals and occasions, such as Diwali, Dussehra, Rama Navami, and Janmashtami. The characters and places of the Ramayana are revered as symbols of faith and culture.