Hanuman: Life, Stories and Devotion to Ram
Hanuman, son of Anjana and Kesari: his birth, the leap to Lanka, the Sanjeevani mountain, why he is worshipped first in Ayodhya, and what he teaches.
Characters
Characters of the Ramayana and what they stand for
Every person in the Ramayana shows one quality taken to its fullest: Sita's strength, Lakshmana's service, Bharata's renunciation, Hanuman's devotion, Shabari's patience, Jatayu's courage, and Ravana's learning undone by pride. Reading them side by side is the quickest way to understand why the epic has guided families for so many generations.
Sita: Daughter of the Earth
Sita, found in a furrow by King Janaka, wife of Shri Ram: her birth, marriage, exile, captivity in Lanka, her sons, and why she is revered as Lakshmi.
Lakshmana: The Devoted Brother
Lakshmana, son of Sumitra, followed Shri Ram into exile, guarded him for fourteen years and slew Indrajit. His life, his temper and his loyalty.
Bharata: The King Who Refused the Throne
Bharata, son of Kaikeyi, was given Ayodhya and gave it back. He ruled for fourteen years from Nandigram in the name of Shri Ram's sandals.
Shatrughna: The Quiet Brother
Shatrughna, youngest son of Dasharatha, served Bharata, kept Ayodhya running through the exile, slew Lavanasura and founded the city of Mathura.
Vibhishana: Choosing Right over Family
Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, advised him to return Sita, was driven out, took refuge with Shri Ram and became the righteous king of Lanka.
Jatayu: The Bird Who Fought Ravana
Jatayu, the aged vulture king and friend of Dasharatha, fought Ravana to save Sita and died in Shri Ram's arms. A story of courage against the odds.
Shabari: A Lifetime of Waiting
Shabari, an elderly tribal devotee, waited for decades in her ashram for Shri Ram and offered him berries. Her story, and the nine forms of devotion.
Ravana: The Scholar King Undone by Pride
Ravana, ten-headed king of Lanka: scholar, musician and devotee of Shiva, whose desire and pride destroyed his family and his golden city.
Maharishi Valmiki: The First Poet
Maharishi Valmiki, author of the Ramayana and called Adi Kavi, the first poet: how the first shloka was born from grief, and his role in the story itself.