Not Just Valmiki's, Different Ramayanas That You Didn't Know Exist!
Ankita Rai | Thu, 06 Mar 2025
The Ramayana exists in multiple versions worldwide, each adding unique cultural perspectives while preserving the core teachings of dharma and devotion. From Valmiki’s Sanskrit epic to Southeast Asian adaptations and feminist retellings, this timeless tale has evolved across generations. Discover how different regions shaped the Ramayana, making it a truly universal legend!
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The Ramayana is one of the holiest of epics world over which permeates the spiritual and cultural fabric of not just India but the entire globe. This holy book has been a heart warming life lesson for centuries, teaching us eternal lessons of dharma (righteousness), devotion, and habitude. Although they appear in many forms in various regions and cultures, the core teachings are consistent, emphasizing the triumph of good over evil, the importance of integrity and the power of love and sacrifice.
It derives its sources from Sage Valmiki whose original Sanskrit work is claimed to have been the Valmiki Ramayana. Approximately 24,000 lines in length, it served as the reference text from which all later changes were made.
But the lore of Lord Rama has transcended both languages as well as geographies, leading to the emergence of multiple versions in the process. While each translation does justice to the original epic in its own way, every one of them captures the socio-cultural context of its moment.
The Ramcharitmanas, written in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi, was composed by Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century. Whereas Valmiki’s Ramayana is deeply philosophic and poetic, the version offered by Tulsidas is a devotional, accessible retelling that has become a foundation of Hindu worship, especially in North India.
The epic was retold in Kamba Ramayanam by Tamil poet Kamban in the 12th century. Which was famous because it is rich in literature and dramatized visualization of things which were added elements that appealed to the Tamil cultural essence without losing the glory of the original plot.
In these texts, the focus is on the character of Goddess Sita, representing her as a warrior who slays demons and ‘Shakti’ or divine power. These adaptations subvert the traditionally passive Sita and celebrate her as an icon of Shakti (power).
There are Buddhist and Jain versions of the Ramayana as well, also with their own versions. In the Dasaratha Jataka, a Buddhist retelling, Lord Rama appears as a Bodhisattva endowed with virtuous qualities of wisdom and compassion. The Paumachariyam, a Jain retelling by Vimalasuri, presents Ravana in more nuanced terms as a noble, albeit flawed, character.
The Ramayana has spread beyond India with adaptations in places like Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos. Ramakien from Thailand and Kakawin Ramayana from Indonesia also introduce the epic to local indigenous forms of local cultures scaffolding around Hindu customs to traditional formats of story-telling.
A remarkable extract is the version of the Ramayana by the Bengali poet Chandrabati, noted for its feministic viewpoint. Unlike other retellings that revolve around Rama’s journey, Chandrabati Ramayana is centered on Sita’s emotions, struggles, and strength, providing a visceral reimagining of her story.
The core teaching of honesty, duty, devotion and righteousness remains the same, though the narrative, language and culture across its copies is highly heterogenous. The fact that its retellings are so diverse only goes to prove its universal quality and the truth behind it is dharma which does not recognise factors of time, language or geography. The Ramayana inspires us across generations, and teaches mankind about the ever-evolving struggle between good and evil and the unrelenting power of truth and virtue.
The Many Versions of the Ramayana
It derives its sources from Sage Valmiki whose original Sanskrit work is claimed to have been the Valmiki Ramayana. Approximately 24,000 lines in length, it served as the reference text from which all later changes were made.
But the lore of Lord Rama has transcended both languages as well as geographies, leading to the emergence of multiple versions in the process. While each translation does justice to the original epic in its own way, every one of them captures the socio-cultural context of its moment.
Ramcharitmanas – The Awadhi Streamlining
Ram Sita
The Ramcharitmanas, written in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi, was composed by Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century. Whereas Valmiki’s Ramayana is deeply philosophic and poetic, the version offered by Tulsidas is a devotional, accessible retelling that has become a foundation of Hindu worship, especially in North India.
Kamba Ramayanam – The Tamil Epic
The epic was retold in Kamba Ramayanam by Tamil poet Kamban in the 12th century. Which was famous because it is rich in literature and dramatized visualization of things which were added elements that appealed to the Tamil cultural essence without losing the glory of the original plot.
The Devi-centred Versions: Adbhuta Ramayana and Anand Ramayana
Ramayana
In these texts, the focus is on the character of Goddess Sita, representing her as a warrior who slays demons and ‘Shakti’ or divine power. These adaptations subvert the traditionally passive Sita and celebrate her as an icon of Shakti (power).
Buddhist and Jain Ramayanas
There are Buddhist and Jain versions of the Ramayana as well, also with their own versions. In the Dasaratha Jataka, a Buddhist retelling, Lord Rama appears as a Bodhisattva endowed with virtuous qualities of wisdom and compassion. The Paumachariyam, a Jain retelling by Vimalasuri, presents Ravana in more nuanced terms as a noble, albeit flawed, character.
Southeast Asian Ramayanas
The Ramayana has spread beyond India with adaptations in places like Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos. Ramakien from Thailand and Kakawin Ramayana from Indonesia also introduce the epic to local indigenous forms of local cultures scaffolding around Hindu customs to traditional formats of story-telling.
Chandrabati Ramayana – A Woman's Voice
Shri Ram
A remarkable extract is the version of the Ramayana by the Bengali poet Chandrabati, noted for its feministic viewpoint. Unlike other retellings that revolve around Rama’s journey, Chandrabati Ramayana is centered on Sita’s emotions, struggles, and strength, providing a visceral reimagining of her story.
The Enduring Legacy
The core teaching of honesty, duty, devotion and righteousness remains the same, though the narrative, language and culture across its copies is highly heterogenous. The fact that its retellings are so diverse only goes to prove its universal quality and the truth behind it is dharma which does not recognise factors of time, language or geography. The Ramayana inspires us across generations, and teaches mankind about the ever-evolving struggle between good and evil and the unrelenting power of truth and virtue.
