Themes and Meaning
The Ramayana repeatedly teaches that rulers must place this above personal desire.
DUTY
Rama accepts exile because he believes this principle must guide his actions.
DHARMA
Sita insists on joining Rama in exile because she believes marriage requires this shared duty.
DEVOTION TO ONE'S HUSBAND
This prince accepts exile without protest in order to uphold his father’s honor.
RAMA
Dasharatha’s old promise to Kaikeyi allows her to demand this fate for Rama.
EXILE or BANISHMENT
Dasharatha once promised Kaikeyi for later. She later uses them to send Rama into exile for fourteen years.
The struggle between Rama and Ravana represents the conflict between these two forces.
GOOD AND EVIL
Dasharatha’s suffering comes from choosing between love for Rama and this obligation as a king.
KEEPING HIS PROMISE
Kaikeyi demands Rama’s exile primarily to secure this position for Bharata.
THE THRONE TO AYODHYA
Kaikeyi was influenced by this maid and said that her son will lose power if Rama becomes king.
MANTHARA
The special privileges Kaikeyi claims from Dasharatha to enforce Rama’s exile are known as these.
BOONS
Dasharatha had promised Kaikeyi two wishes after she helped him in battle, and she invokes them to change the royal succession.
Sita’s actions throughout hardship reflects this ideal virtue.
FAITHFULNESS
Lakshmana hesitates to leave Sita alone because he must choose between protecting her and responding to this alarming sound
RAMA'S VOICE CALLING FOR HELP
Kaikeyi claims her boons → Rama goes into exile → Sita is abducted → _________
THE WAR BETWEEN RAMA and RAVANA
This brother refuses to rule Ayodhya and instead governs only as Rama’s representative.
BHARATA
Lakshmana leaves Sita alone in the forest because he believes this crisis is happening to Rama.
RAMA BEING IN DANGER
Rama accepts exile even though he has done nothing wrong and is about to become king.
SACRIFICE FOR DUTY
Ravana’s refusal to return Sita demonstrates how this trait can blind powerful leaders.
PRIDE
Sita insists on going into exile with Rama because she believes a wife must share this condition with her husband.
FATE or HARDSHIP
This is the exact familial relationship between the exiled prince and his loyal relative, Lakshmana.
HALF-BROTHERS
Ravana succeeds in abducting Sita only after distracting Rama and Lakshmana with this enchanted creature.
GOLDEN DEER
Ravana’s downfall warns that great power without this virtue leads to ruin.
HUMILITY
Bharata’s rejection of the throne suggests that legitimate leadership requires this quality.
INTEGRITY
Bharata refuses to sit on the throne and instead places this object on it as a symbol of Rama’s authority.
SANDALS
Despite wisdom and strength, this ruler’s pride ultimately leads to his destruction.
RAVANA
The war between Rama and Ravana begins after Ravana commits this violation against Rama’s household.
THE ABDUCTION OF SITA