Myths featuring Rama

Following the discovery of the kidnapped Sita in the island kingdom of Lanka, the monkey-god Hanuman allowed himself to be captured by Ravana's forces to deliver a final warning. When the demon king Ravana ordered Hanuman's tail to be set on fire as a humiliating punishment, the divine messenger grew to a massive size and used the flame to incinerate the golden city. This pivotal episode from...

Hanuman, the divine Vanara and devotee of Lord Rama, realizes his latent cosmic powers to leap across the vast ocean separating India from Lanka. During his flight, he overcomes various celestial and demonic obstacles, testing his strength, wit, and devotion. This miraculous journey, detailed in the Sundara Kanda, marks the turning point in the quest to rescue Sita from the demon-king Ravana.

Following a tragic misunderstanding and years of exile, Sugriva is restored to the throne of Kishkindha after Lord Rama defeats the powerful king Vali. This pivotal moment cements the alliance between Rama and the Vanara army, setting the stage for the search for Sita. The story concludes with the coronation of Sugriva and the appointment of Vali's son, Angada, as the crown prince.

While searching for the abducted Sita, Rama and Lakshmana arrive at the rocky terrain of Kishkindha. King Sugriva, an exiled vanara leader, fears they are spies sent by his brother Vali and sends his wise minister Hanuman to investigate. Hanuman, disguised as an ascetic, is so moved by Rama's presence and Rama is so impressed by Hanuman's eloquence that they form an eternal bond, leading to a...

During the abduction of Sita by the demon-king Ravana, the aged vulture-king Jatayu intervened to save her, engaging in a fierce aerial battle. Despite his valiant efforts and ancient lineage, Jatayu's wings were severed by Ravana's sword, causing him to fall to the earth at Lepakshi. He survived just long enough to inform Lord Rama of Sita's direction before attaining liberation in the arms...

During the fourteenth year of their exile, the virtuous Princess Sita is lured by a mystical golden deer and subsequently kidnapped from her forest home in Panchavati. The demon king Ravana, disguised as a wandering mendicant, deceives her and carries her away to his kingdom of Lanka in a flying chariot. This pivotal event triggers a massive war and serves as the core conflict of the epic...

While the exiled Prince Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana were living in the Panchavati forest, the demoness Surpanakha encountered them and fell in love with Rama. After her advances were rejected by both brothers and she attempted to attack Sita in a fit of jealous rage, Lakshmana intervened and cut off her nose and ears. This pivotal event served as the primary catalyst for...

Following the manipulation of King Dasharatha by Queen Kaikeyi, Prince Rama is exiled to the forest for fourteen years. He is accompanied by his devoted wife Sita and his loyal brother Lakshmana, eventually settling in the serene hills of Chitrakoot. This pivotal moment in the Ramayana marks the beginning of their spiritual journey and the ultimate test of their commitment to dharma.

In the kingdom of Mithila, King Janaka sets a divine challenge for the hand of his daughter, Sita: the lifting and stringing of the celestial bow of Lord Shiva. While many powerful kings and warriors fail even to move the massive weapon, the young prince Rama of Ayodhya, guided by Sage Vishvamitra, lifts the bow with ease. In the process of stringing it, he snaps the divine bow in two,...

Seeking an heir to his throne, King Dasharatha of Ayodhya performs the sacred Putrakameshti yagna with the help of sage Rishyasringa. Through divine intervention and a sacrificial offering of celestial nectar, his three queens give birth to four sons. The eldest, Rama, is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, born to restore cosmic order and defeat the demon-king Ravana.