Ramayana

The Ramayana (the way, path or journey of Rama) is the massive sacred 5th century BCE Indian Hindu 24,000 verse epic, one of the largest ancient epics in existence and considered the Adi-kavya (first poem). Attributed to the poet Valmiki, it was written down during the first century A.D., although it is based on oral traditions that go back six or seven centuries earlier. It is a moving love story with moral and spiritual themes that has deep appeal in India to this day. It follows Prince Rama’s journey to rescue his treasured wife Sita from King Ravana who kidnapped her and brought her back to his palace in Lanka. Rama enlists the army of monkeys to aid him in this effort. The Ramayana is an important component of all aspects of Indian, Hindu and Balinese and culture as it is a social and moral code for how Hindus should conduct themselves and follow their spiritual goals and existence. It discusses topics that include the duties one has in relationships: how to be an ideal father, servant, brother, husband or king, contains teachings of Hindu sages and covers critical philosophical, ethical, and allegorical ideas. It is a source for Hindu religious art, theater and dance and the reference for Indonesian mask theater and dance productions. Indonesia was formerly part of the larger Hindu Mahapajit Empire (1293-1527), and Bali remains a Hindu majority. Majapahit bas relief friezes include Ramayana references.