The Ramayana is the earliest epic poem written in Sanskrit, and is the oldest work of poetry. Its author, Sage Valmiki is known as the ‘Adi Kavi’ or pristine poet.

It is said that the poem flowed form the compassionate heart of Valmiki when he witnessed the sorrow of a female Krauncha bird when the merciless arrow of a hunter killed its mate. This ‘spontaneous overflow of powerful emotion’ saw the creation of a powerful epic that still inspires that soul of India, 2000 years after it was first written.

The Ramayana is such an integral part of our heritage that our apparent diversities are reflected in differing versions written in various languages. The Ramayanas of Kamban, Tulsidas, Kirtivas and Tunchan, are variations of the same theme.

This sublime theme is embodied in the character of Rama and Sita – the highest ideals of ‘men’ and ‘woman’. The idea that God fulfills Himself through the best of men is conveyed through Rama’s life.

This is the sotry of the Ramayana. The story narrated in the following in the pages is based on Ramcharit–Manas of Tulsidasa.