The
Ramayana, the Adi-Kavya or the first epic poem, relates the story of Sri Rama,
the ideal man. It is the history of the family of the solar race descended from
Ikshvaku, in which was born Sri Ramachandra, the Avatara of Lord Vishnu, and
his three brothers. The ideal characters like Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata
and Sri Hanuman that we find in Ramayana firmly establish Hindu Dharma in our
minds. The story of the birth of Rama and his brothers, their education and
marriages, the exile of Sri Rama, the carrying off and recovery of Sita, his
wife, the destruction of Ravana, the Rakshasa King of Lanka, and the reign of
Sri Rama, are described in detail in Ramayana. How a man should behave towards
his superiors, equals and inferiors, how a king ought to rule his kingdom, how
a man should lead his life in this world, how he can obtain his release,
freedom and perfection, may be learnt from this excellent epic. The Ramayana
gives a vivid picture of Indian life. Even today our domestic, social and
national ideals are copied from the noble characters in the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata. The great national heroes stand even today as beacon-lights to
guide and inspire the people of the whole world. The lives of Rama, Bharata and
Lakshmana provide a model of fraternal affection and mutual service. Sri
Hanuman stands as an ideal unique Karma Yogin. The life of Sita is regarded as
the most perfect example of womanly fidelity, chastity and sweetness. The
Ramayana is written in twenty-four thousand verses by Sri Valmiki.
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