Ramayana is a story about a prince who was exiled along with his wife and brother, due to one of his half-brother’s mom being jealous that he was to be crowned King. He was sent away for 14 years, during which, Sita gets kidnapped by a powerful demon, Ravana, who is also the king of Lanka. Ram and Lakshman are unaware of what happened, but they meet an injured vulture, Jatayu, who saw Sita being abducted. Unable to do anything to help him, the brothers stay with the dying vulture until he dies. During his journey to get back his wife, the 2 brothers meet Hanuman, a monkey with the ability to fly and change his size. They help his ‘lord’, Sugriv, defeat his brother, Vali, and take back his position as King of the Apes. As thanks, Sugriv commands the monkeys to build a bridge to Lanka so that they could cross and get Sita back. Once they arrive, a ferocious battle breaks out in which Lakshman is gravely injured. Ram begs Hanuman to fly across the oceans to retrieve a flower that could heal him. Hanuman agrees but is unable to find the specific flower, so he uproots and brings back the entire mountain. Ravana is killed and Sita has been retrieved. The 14 years being over, they head back to Ayodhya, marking the start of the festival of light, Diwali.
The story of Ram and Sita has been adapted in many forms, especially in Indian literature. There are many different books and movies about the story, as well as festivals that are a big part of Indian culture, Diwali and Dushera. Ramayana is a myth that has lasted centuries without being changed, the story is the same in just about any form. There are children versions as well as shortened versions, but the gist/moral of the story remains. This story resonates with almost every Indian due to it being a major part of our history and the fact that India is a very religious country.
