Answered from scripture
What is the Ramayana?
In short
The Ramayana is one of the two great Sanskrit epics of Hinduism, traditionally composed by the sage Valmiki. It tells the story of Rama — prince of Ayodhya and avatar of Vishnu — his exile, the abduction of his wife Sita by the demon-king Ravana, and his victory to restore dharma. It is revered as a guide to righteous living.
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The verse
“rāmo vigrahavān dharmaḥ”
Valmiki Ramayana · Aranya Kanda, Sarga 37Rama is righteousness itself, given form — let dharma quietly guide your steps.
Spoken by the rakshasa Maricha to Ravana — when Ravana came to enlist him in the plot to seize Sita, Maricha warned him away, saying Rama is righteousness itself given form.
In depth
The Ramayana ('Rama's journey') follows Rama through exile, the loss and search for Sita, the alliance with Hanuman and the vanaras, and the war against Ravana of Lanka. Its events are remembered across Hindu festivals — Rama's birth at Ram Navami, his victory at Dussehra, and his homecoming at Diwali.
Beyond the story, the Ramayana is held up as a model of dharma: Rama as the ideal son and king, Sita as devotion and dignity, Hanuman as selfless service, Bharata as sacrifice. It has been retold in countless languages, most beloved in Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas.
Related questions
Who wrote the Ramayana?
It is traditionally attributed to the sage Valmiki, in Sanskrit. The most beloved Hindi retelling is Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas.
What is the Ramayana about?
The life of Rama — his exile, the abduction of Sita by Ravana, and his victory to rescue her and restore dharma, held up as the model of righteous living.
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