Ramayana R.K. Narayan

Characters Rama Sita Lakshmana Ravana

Rama Son of King Dasaratha, ruler of Kosala Banished by king’s second wife for 14 years Wages war on Ravana with monkeys’ help Viewed as the ideal man and rule Worshiped as an incarnation of the god Vishnu Has blue skin representing endlessness or infinity

Sita Married to Rama Kidnapped by Ravana Will accept no other man’s help or hand but Rama’s Will touch no other man Believed to be the ideal wife for India’s women

Lakshmana Rama’s loyal brother Kills demons in the forest Cut off ears and nose of a female demon who was Ravana’s sister

Ravana Rules island of Lanka 10 heads and 20 arms His sister’s ears and nose were cut off by Lakshmana Kidnaps Sita in revenge Wants her as his wife

Sumrization of the Epic The battle between Ravana and Rama begins. Ravana prepares himself for battle and enters on his chariot. The god Indra sends Rama his own chariot driven by Matali. Ravana speeds ahead in rage Rama orders charioteer to go slow and follow his directions: to let Ravana exhaust himself. Ravana advises Mahodara, a giant, to fight Lakshmana Rama intervenes and kills him

Continued Ravana ignores signs of bad omens Rama and Ravana kill each other’s armies The are neck in neck; nothing is working They rely on supernatural powers now Ravana collapses from Rama’s arrow Rama withdrew with respect Once Ravana was back on his feet, they continued Brahmasthra kills Ravana

Continued All of the pain and fury is gone from Ravana Rama worries that he shot him while he was retreating Vibishana explains it was from an accident in the past Rama tells him to honor and cherish him with proper funeral arrangements.

Moral of the Story An epic hero has to be patient Do not let anger control one Never give up Be respectful and courteous to one’s opponent Think strategically