History Literature / Ramayana

There was also an anime adaptation of the story called ''Ramayana: Legend of Prince Rama'', co-produced by Japanese and Indian companies and released in 1992.

* DownerEnding: Depending on the version followed. The original Six Kanda (kandas are like 'sections', each with a number of chapters) version ends happily but the later, expanded Seventh Kanda Version is a big fat ShootTheShaggyDog downer-o-[[{{Pun}} rama]]! Sita is cast out of Ayodhya while pregnant with twins to Valmiki's hermitage and asks Mother Earth to swallow her up when Rama asks for her to come back a second time. Rama commits suicide by drowning in the Sarayu. Rama and Sita's twins are therefore brought up without their parents.

* DownerEnding: Depending on the version followed. The original Six Kanda (kandas are like 'sections', each with a number of chapters) version ends happily but the later, expanded Seventh Kanda Version is a big fat ShootTheShaggyDog downer-o-rama! Sita is cast out of Ayodhya while pregnant with twins to Valmiki's hermitage and asks Mother Earth to swallow her up when Rama asks for her to come back a second time. Rama commits suicide by drowning in the Sarayu. Rama and Sita's twins are therefore brought up without their parents.

* AnAesop: One has to be good to one's parents. Parents should not begrudge their children or stepchildren. One should be careful not to shoot humans while hunting. An exception to family loyalty: if your brother is pursuing a disastrous course of action that will destroy one's kingdom (Vibeeshna)

* WeaksauceWeakness: Vali was blessed by Shiva that whoever fight him will loss half of their strength, while Vali himself gain equal strength to their losing power. However, this ability doesn't work on Hanuman, for he's embodiment of Shiva's power as well.

* AnythingThatMoves: Ravana's proclivity for hitting on anything that moves and kidnapping the wives of his enemies as well as trying to rape the daughters of sages like Vedavati, never mind kidnapping Sita.

** Sita in the Adbhuta Ramayana; A more Goddess-Centered version and Sequel. She becomes Kali and single-handedly [[CurbStompBattle destroys]] Ravana's elder brother (also named [[NamesTheSame Ravana]]) and his army.

* {{Xenafication}}: Sita in a later, Shakta re-adaptation of this story, which also acts as a sequel, ''The Adbhuta Ramayana'', Rama must now fight Ravana's even-more-powerful brother ([[NamesTheSame also named]] ''[[NamesTheSame Ravana]]''). However, things are going pretty darn crappy for Rama until Sita [[BigDamnHeroes comes along and morphs into the Goddess, Kali]], lays waste to Ravana & his army and saves the day!

* DownerEnding: Depending on the version followed. The original Six Kanda (kandas are like 'sections', each with a number of chapters) version ends happily but the later, expanded Seven Kanda Version is a big fat ShootTheShaggyDog downer-o-rama! Sita is cast out of Ayodhya while pregnant with twins to Valmiki's hermitage and asks Mother Earth to swallow her up when Rama asks for her to come back a second time. Rama commits suicide by drowning in the Sarayu. Rama and Sita's twins are therefore brought up without their parents.

* BerserkButton: When Ravana shoots down Lakshmana, Rama takes his fighting UpToEleven and to say the least, that's the end of Ravana's good day.

A rather unusual animated musical version of the story was released online, WesternAnimation/SitaSingsTheBlues.

* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: Rama and Lakshmana defeat the whole fearsome demon army of Ravana with a ragtag army of monkeys.

For a [[DarkerAndEdgier darker]], longer ancient Indian epic, see the ''Literature/{{Mahabharata}}''. It forms an integral part of Hinduism.

[[caption-width-right:350:Ravi Verma's depiction of Sita being abducted]]

* StealTheSurroundings: Possibly the UrExample.

The ''Ramayana'' is an [[TheEpic Epic]] NarrativePoem written by one of Ancient UsefulNotes/{{India}}'s oldest poets, Valmiki. It has also been influential in UsefulNotes/{{Hinduism}} as many Hindus celebrate Diwali in honor of the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana from exile of 14 years

** In the story of brothers Vali and Sugreeva, Vali suspects Sugreeva of plotting to take over his throne, exiles him and takes his wife for himself. Later, Sugreeva meets with Rama and Laxman who decide to help him kill Vali.

* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: Rama and Laxman defeat the whole fearsome demon army of Ravana with a ragtag army of monkeys.
* EvilOverlord: Ravana

* NobleMaleRoguishMale: Rama and Laxmana, respectively, the former being serene, wise & forgiving while the latter is more impetuous, quick-tempered and has a good bullshit detector.

* DownerEnding: Depending on the version followed. The original Six Kanda (kandas are like 'sections', each with a number of chapters) version ends happily but the later, expanded Seven Kanda Version is a big fat ShootTheShaggyDog downer-o-rama! Sita is cast out of Ayodhya while pregnant with twins to Valmiki's hermitage and asks Mother Earth to swallow her up when Rama asks for her to come back a second time. Rama's commits suicide by drowning in the Sarayu. Rama and Sita's twins are therefore brought up without their parents.

* OurGiantsAreBigger: Kumbakarna

* WorldsStrongestMan: Kumbarkarna

* AnAesop: One has to be good to one's parents. Parents should not begrudge their children or stepchildren. One should be careful not to shoot humans while hunting. An exception to family loyalty: if your brother is pursuing a disastrous course of action that will destroy one's kingdom (Vibeeshna)

For a darker, longer ancient Indian epic, see the ''Literature/{{Mahabharata}}''. It forms an integral part of Hinduism.