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''Ramayana'' (Samskrit: रामायणम्, Rāmāyaṇam) is an ancient epic poem of India, originally written by Valmiki, which narrates the journey of virtue to annihilate vice. Along with the Mahabharata, it is called the itihasa (Samskrit: इति‍हास),  which forms the Smriti (Samskrit: स्मृति)  part of the [[Prasthantrayi (प्रस्थानत्रयी)]].  

''Ramayana'' (Samskrit: रामायणम्, Rāmāyaṇam) is an ancient epic poem, originally written by Valmiki, which narrates history of Lord Räma's activities in the world. Along with the Mahabharata, it is called the itihasa (Samskrit: इति‍हास),  which forms the Smriti (Samskrit: स्मृति)  part of the [[Prasthantrayi_(प्रस्थानत्रयी)|''Prasthantrayi'']].  

The Ramayana is one of the largest ancient epics in world literature. It consists of nearly 24,000 verses (mostly set in the Shloka meter), divided into seven Kandas and about 500 sargas (chapters).  

The Ramayana is one of the largest ancient epics in world literature. It consists of nearly 24,000 verses (mostly set in the Shloka meter), divided into seven Kandas and about 500 sargas (chapters). Lord Ramacandra was ordered by His father, Maharaja Dasaratha, to leave home for the forest under awkward circumstances, and the Lord, as the ideal son of His father, carried out the order, even on the occasion of His being declared the King of Ayodhya. One of His younger brothers, Laksmanaji, desired to go with Him, and so also His eternal wife, Sitaji, desired to go with Him. The Lord agreed to both of them, and all together they entered the Dandakaranya forest, to live there for fourteen years. During their stay in the forest, Ravana kidnapped the Lord Ramachandra's wife, Sita. The quarrel ended in the vanquishing of the greatly powerful Ravana, along with all his kingdom and family.

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==