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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 the history of Lord Rama'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 ==

== Ramayana - Not Symbolic ==

== Ramayana - Not Symbolic ==

Ramayana is a itihasa or history, but not the history, currently taught in schools, which is more a collection of dates. They do not make any legacy. Ramayana is not like that. In the word, itihasa, iti means thus happening and will happen in future. For example Dasharatha represents a legacy. Through Ramayana, emotionally he affects us, socially makes us more apt and intellectually teaches us.

Ramayana is a itihasa or history, but not the history, currently taught in schools, which is more a collection of dates. They do not make any legacy. Ramayana is not like that. In the word, itihasa, iti means thus happening and will happen in future. For example [[Dasharatha (दशरथ:)|Dasharatha]] represents a legacy. Through Ramayana, emotionally he affects us, socially makes us more apt and intellectually teaches us.

Every character in Ramayana is reality and not symbolic. When symbolism is brought at the cost of history, the history itself gets destroyed.

Every character in Ramayana is reality and not symbolic. When symbolism is brought at the cost of history, the history itself gets destroyed.