1. Ramayana
R.K. Narayan

2. Characters
Rama
Sita
Lakshmana
Ravana

3. Rama Son of King Dasaratha, ruler of Kosala
Banished by king’s second wife for 14 years
Wages war on Ravana with monkeys’ help
Viewed as the ideal man and rule
Worshiped as an incarnation of the god Vishnu
Has blue skin representing endlessness or infinity

4. Sita Married to Rama Kidnapped by Ravana
Will accept no other man’s help or hand but Rama’s
Will touch no other man
Believed to be the ideal wife for India’s women

5. Lakshmana Rama’s loyal brother Kills demons in the forest
Cut off ears and nose of a female demon who was Ravana’s sister

6. Ravana Rules island of Lanka 10 heads and 20 arms
His sister’s ears and nose were cut off by Lakshmana
Kidnaps Sita in revenge
Wants her as his wife

7. Sumrization of the Epic
The battle between Ravana and Rama begins.
Ravana prepares himself for battle and enters on his chariot.
The god Indra sends Rama his own chariot driven by Matali.
Ravana speeds ahead in rage
Rama orders charioteer to go slow and follow his directions: to let Ravana exhaust himself.
Ravana advises Mahodara, a giant, to fight Lakshmana
Rama intervenes and kills him

8. Continued Ravana ignores signs of bad omens
Rama and Ravana kill each other’s armies
The are neck in neck; nothing is working
They rely on supernatural powers now
Ravana collapses from Rama’s arrow
Rama withdrew with respect
Once Ravana was back on his feet, they continued
Brahmasthra kills Ravana

9. Continued All of the pain and fury is gone from Ravana
Rama worries that he shot him while he was retreating
Vibishana explains it was from an accident in the past
Rama tells him to honor and cherish him with proper funeral arrangements.

10. Moral of the Story An epic hero has to be patient
Do not let anger control one
Never give up
Be respectful and courteous to one’s opponent
Think strategically