Versions of the Ramayana


Depending on the methods of counting, as many as three hundred versions of the Indian Hindu epic poem, the Ramayana, are known to exist. The oldest version is generally recognized to be the Sanskrit version attributed to sage Narada, the Mula Ramayana. Narada passed on the knowledge to Valmiki, who authored Valmiki Ramayana, the present oldest available version of Ramayana.
The Ramayana has spread to many Asian countries outside of India, including Burma, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam and China. The original Valmiki version has been adapted or translated into various regional languages, which have often been marked more or less by plot twists and thematic adaptations. Some of the important adaptations of the classic tale include the 12th-century Tamil language Ramavataram, 12th-century Kannada Ramachandra Charitapurana or Pampa Ramayana by Nagachandra, 13th-century Telugu language Sri Ranganatha Ramayanam, 14th or 15th-century Assamese Saptakanda Ramayana, 15th-century Bengali Krittivasi Ramayana, 16th-century Awadhi Ramcharitmanas, 17th-century Malayalam language Adhyathmaramayanam Kilippattu, the Khmer Reamker, the Old Javanese Kakawin Ramayana, and the Thai Ramakien, the Lao Phra Lak Phra Lam, and the Burmese Yama Zatdaw.
The manifestation of the core themes of the original Ramayana is far broader even than can be understood from a consideration of the different languages in which it appears, as its essence has been expressed in a diverse array of regional cultures and artistic mediums. For instance, the Ramayana has been expressed or interpreted in Lkhaon Khmer dance theatre, in the Ramanattam and Kathakali of Kerala, in the Mappila Songs of the Muslims of Kerala and Lakshadweep, in the Indian operatic tradition of Yakshagana, and in the epic paintings still extant on, for instance, the walls of Thailand's Wat Phra Kaew palace temple. In Indonesia, the tales of the Ramayana appear reflected in traditional dance performances such as Sendratari Ramayana and Kecak, masked danced drama, and Wayang shadow puppetry. Angkor Wat in Siem Reap also has mural scenes from the epic Battle of Lanka on one of its outer walls.

Sanskrit versions

Below are a few of the most prominent Sanskrit versions of the Ramayana. Some primarily recount Valmiki's narrative, while others focus more on peripheral stories and/or philosophical expositions:
  • Adhyatma Ramayana or spiritual Ramayana is extracted from the Brahmanda Purana, traditionally ascribed to Vyasa. It is thought to be the inspiration for Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi. While the Valmiki Ramayana emphasizes Rama's human nature, the Adhyatam Ramayana tells the story from the perspective of his divinity. It is organized into seven Kandas, parallel to Valmiki's.
  • Vasistha Ramayana is traditionally attributed to Valmiki. It is principally a dialogue between Vasistha and Rama in which Vasistha advances many of the principle tenets of Advaita Vedanta. It includes many anecdotes and illustrative stories, but does not recount Valmiki's story of Rama in detail.
  • Vasudevahiṇḍī authored around 4th-5th century CE by Saṅghadāsagaṇī Vāchaka, in Maharashtra Prakrit.
  • Daśagrīvā Rākṣasa Charitrām Vadham this manuscript from Kolkata contains five kandas: Balakanda and Uttarakanda are missing. This version portrays Rama as more of a human than God.
  • Laghu Yoga Vasishtha by Abhinanda of Kashmir, is an abbreviated version of the original Yoga Vasistha.
  • Ananda Ramayana this is traditionally attributed to Valmiki. While it briefly recounts the traditional story of Rama, it is composed primarily of stories peripheral, though related, to Valmiki's narrative. This ramayana treats the last years of Rama's life and includes Ravana's abduction of Sita and Rama's installation of the Shiva Lingam at Rameswaram.
  • Agastya Ramayana is also traditionally attributed to Agastya.
  • Adbhuta Ramayana, traditionally attributed to Valmiki, includes related stories of Rama. Its emphasis is on the role of Sita, and includes an expanded story of the circumstances of her birth as well as an account of her defeat of Ravana's elder brother, known as Mahiravana and with 1000 heads.
  • The Ramayana story is also recounted within other Sanskrit texts, including: the Mahabharata ; Bhagavata Purana contains a concise account of Rama's story in its ninth skandha; brief versions also appear in the Vishnu Purana as well as in the Agni Purana.

    In Sanskrit culture

  • An eleventh-century Sanskrit play entitled Mahanataka by Hanumat relates the story of Rama in nine, ten, or fourteen acts, depending on recension.
  • Pratima Natak by Bhāsa starts with Rama's coronation, which is stopped by Kaikeyi, and Rama's exile, which leads to Dasratha's death. When Bharat arrives at Ayodhya he sees the statue of his father with his ancestors and thus knows Dasratha is dead. In this play Kaikeyi means to say she wants Rama for exiled for fourteen days but by mistake says fourteen years.
  • Abhiseka Nataka of Bhasa start with killing of Bali then Rama meet varuna for cross ocean. After killing Rawana, Rama take fire test of sita for her Chastity and finally end with coronation of Rama in Ayodhya.
  • Yagna-falam of Bhasa which start with Dasratha enjoyment for Birth of his sons from yagna; then viswamitra take him Rama and Lakshman for save his yagna from Demons. Viswamitra take them Mithila for yagna of janaka and Rama married sita.
  • Kundamala of Dinnaga based on uttara-ramayana. Sita exiled by Rama and sita take vow she give kundamala or Garland to river for safe Birth of her son. Sita gave birth two twins. This twins sing ramayana in Rama's court and finally Rama meet his family.
  • Mahaviracharita of Bhavabhuti based on Ramayana. This play start with Rama came in Hermitage of visvamitra and end with coronation of Rama.
  • Uttara-rama-charita of Bhavabhuti based on later life Rama. Play start with sita blessed by sage astavkara then Rama show picture gallery with sita. Durmukha tell him rumours about sita's Chastity so sita exiled and she given Birth twins. Janaka and kaushlaya meet in Hermitage of valmiki. Twins fight with army of Rama who protect horse of Ashwamedha. Finally valmiki arranged drama and Rama know about his family.
  • Janaka jananada of kalya Lakshmi Narsingh based on Ramayana of jaimini Ashwamedha. In this play Rama's sons Lava and Kusha fight with army of Rama who protect horse of Ashwamedha. only Three mss of this play survived. It is very rare play because only four play are based on uttara-ramayana.
  • Chalita-Rama based on Rama's later life written in 9th century. In this play surpanakha planned plot and sita exiled But today we not found any mss of play.
  • Ramabhyudaya of Yashovarman in six acts written during 7th century CE.
  • Ramabhyudaya of Ramadeva vyasa in two acts written during 15th century CE.
  • Swapana-Dasanana of Bhimata-based Dream of Rawana written around 6th or 7th century CE.
  • Maithili-kalyana of Hastimalla based on marriage of sita written around 9th century CE.
  • Uddata-Raghava by Mayu-raja also called Anagaharsha written around 8th century CE.
  • Ascharya-choodamani of Shaktibhadra written around 9th century CE based on Ramayana.
  • Kritya-Rawana written during 9th century CE.
  • Maya-puspaka written during 9th century CE.
  • Rama-Charita drama based on Ramayana written during 9th century CE.
  • Ramananada of shrigadita based on Ramayana written during 9th century CE.
  • Anargha-Raghava of Murari written during 9th or 10th century CE.
  • Bala-Ramyana of Raj-shekhara in ten acts written during 9th or 10th century CE.
  • Abhinava-Raghava of kshiraswamin written during 10th century CE.
  • Vali-Vadha written during 10th century CE. It is preksanka type drama.
  • Marica-Vancitaka give ramayana story in five acts written during 11th century CE.
  • Prasana-Raghava of Jayadeva is a drama in seven acts written around 12th century CE.
  • Raghu-vilasa of Ramachandra written around 12th century CE.
  • Raghavabhyudaya of Ramachandra written around 12th century CE. There are other three dramas of same name i by Gangadhara, Bhagavan Raya and venkatesvara.
  • Janaki-Raghava written around 12th century. Another Janaki-Ragava of Yuvraja ramasinha written in 1625 CE.
  • Rama-vikrama also is a lost Ramayana drama known only through the reference made to it by Sagaranandin. It is most likely a work of the 12th century CE.
  • Dutangada of Subhata. The Prologue of this play states that it was represented at the court of Tribhuvanapala, a Calukya king of Anhilvad who reigned in 1242–1243 CE, at a spring festival held in honour of the dead king Kumarapala who restored the saiva temple of Devapattana in Kathiawad. Another Dutangada of Ramachandra.
  • Amogha-raghava is a lost Ramayana-drama known only through the reference made to it by singabhupala. It may be assigned to the 13th century CE.
  • Abhirama-raghava is lost Ramayana-drama known only through the reference made to it by singabhupala. It seems to belong to the 13th century CE.
  • Ullagha-raghava of Someshvara is a Ramayana drama belonging to the 13th-century-CE Someshvara. He was the- court-poet of Viradhavala and of Gujarat. The manuscript of this drama is preserved in Baroda library.
  • Unmatta-raghava of Bhaskara written around 14th century. The Unmatta-raghava gives a curious tale of Rama. Sita enters into a garden forbidden to the womenfolk and is transformed into a gazelle. Rama wanders in her search and his maddened soliloquies. The s'age Agasta takes pity and relieves Sita of the curse of Durvasa which was the cause of her transformation because once Durvasa disturb by gazelle.
  • Unmatta-raghava of Mahadeva sastri.
  • Ananda-raghava is a drama on the Ramayana theme. Its author Rajacudamani Diksita was the son of Srinivasa and Kamakshi and was patronised by king Raghunatha of Tanjore. He flourished in the last part of the 16th century. Anandaraghava describes in five acts the story of Rama from his marriage to coronation.
  • Abhirama-mani of Sundaramisra is a drama in seven acts based on Ramayana written in 1599 CE.
  • Adbhuta-darpana of Mahadeva is a Ramayana-drama in ten acts. Mahadeva is the son of Krsna Suri of Tanjore and belongs to the 17th century CE.
  • Janaki-parinaya is a Ramayana-drama by Ramabhadra Diksita also belongs to the 17th century CE. There are two more dramas of this name, one by Narayana Bhatta and the other by Sitarama.
  • Raghavananda is a Ramayana-drama by Venkatesvara belonging to the last quarter of the 17th century CE in the court of Sahaji and Serfoji of Tanjore.
  • Sita-raghava
  • Lalita-raghava is drama on the Ramayana story by Ramapani deva belonging to the middle of the 18th century CE.
  • Maha-Nataka of Damodara written around 11th century CE and second written by Madhusudana around 14th century CE.
  • Ram-Vijay Ankiya Naat by Srimanta Sankardev written in the 16th century in Vrajavali language.