 Rama – blue skinned form of god Vishnu  Ravana – 10 headed king of Lanka  Sita – wife of Ravana  Matali – charioteer of Indra a warrior god  Laksamana – Rama’s brother  Mahodara – Ravana’s giant assistant

 Great Indian epic in history  Describes life in India around 1000 BC  Oral versions were told for centuries  First written version traced to the beginning of the Common Era. Story has spread throughout South and Southeast Asia.  Is the popular topic of shows, songs and entertainment across Asia.

 Rama and Ravana armies engage in battle  Ravana’s army is losing and he joins effort  Weapons such as bows and arrows – showers of arrows, magical chariots, 10 and 20 armed bow attacks were used.  Supernatural forces were used to create strange effects.  Asthras (arrows) became dynamic with special incantations.

 Special weapons such as the Danda (pulverizing), Maya (illusions), Gnana (wisdom or perception), Thama (total darkness), Shivasthra (rain/tornado)and a Trident (destructive) were used to act and counteract each warriors advances.

 Ravana and Rama fight using astras (magical weapons) and hand to hand combat  Ravana has multiple heads and arms cut off only to re-grow instantly  Ravana seems to be invincible but is defeated and killed by a weapon called Brahmasthra – only to be used when all else fails