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NARRATOR: Here is the Holy legend Ramayana, brought to you by Rishi Valmiki.
NARRATOR: Many long years ago, there lived two mighty races, the Kosalas and the Videhas. The Kosalas was
ruled by the just king named Dasa-ratha. He had four sons, Rama being the eldest, Bharat, the second, Lakshman,
the third, and Satrughna, the youngest. Meanwhile, the Videhas was ruled by the great Janak.
Narrator: Now, the princess of the Videhas, Sita, had beauty that reached the ears of other kingdoms' royal
families. Intrigued, they would go to Mithila to see whether the rumors they hear are true. When they see that it
is indeed true, they would bring gifts and ask for her hand. This earned her many suitors. Too many in fact, that
she was not able to choose at all! So they decided to do a competition.
[JANAK], [SITA], and the other royal people are sitting somewhere on the stage.
[JANAK] stands.
JANAK: Now, let us begin the competition. Who ever could lift and wield the heavy bow, can have Sita’s hand
in marriage.
[RAMA] and [SITA] hold hands, smiling whilse facing the audience.
[DASA-RATHA] sits on a throne with [RAMA], [BHARAT], [LAKSHMAN], and [SATRUGHNA] standing before him.
DASA-RATHA: I have called the four of you because we need to discuss a very important matter. I am now old, and
my days are almost done. When I am dead and gone, one of you must take my place as king. And for this I have
chosen... Rama. For he is the oldest. He has the most knowledge and experience that will surely be helpful when
he becomes king.
RAMA: I thank you, dear father, for this great honor. I swear to you that I shall be a good and just king, like you.
A [SERVANT] enters and bows before [DASA-RATHA], who sits on his throne.
KAIKEYI: My king.
[KAIKEYI] rises.
KAIKEYI: I implore you to make Bharat regent king, and that Rama be banished to the Dandak forest.
KAIKEYI: Do you not remember your promise to me? When you were ill and there was no one to care for you, only
I was there. You promised that you would give me any boon that I wanted.
DASA-RATHA: Bu-but---!
NARRATOR: Dasa-ratha was torn. How could he choose between Kaikeyi and Rama?
NARRATOR: Dasa-ratha decided to give Kaikeyi what she wanted as he, after all did promise her. The faithful wife,
Sita, and the loving brother, Lakshman came with him.
[DASA-RATHA], [KAIKEYI], [KAUSALYA], [BHARAT], [SATRUGHNA], and [JANAK] exchange farewells with [RAMA],
[SITA], and [LAKSHMAN].
RAMA: You must stay here and help Father and Bharat in ruling Ayodia.
SATRUGHNA: But--.
[KAUSALYA] is in tears.
A crowd has gathered to witness the sad occasion. One of them steps up.
FOLLOWER: Let us come with you, Prince Rama. We shall be of help to you during your exile.
[RAMA] sighs before yielding.
[RAMA], [SITA], [LAKSHMAN], and the rest of the followers walk around the stage as the narrator talks.
NARRATOR: The loyal people of Ayodia followed their exiled prince as far as the banks of the Tamasa River where
they halted on the first night.
While the [FOLLOWERS] are sleeping, [RAMA], who is lying down, suddenly sits up and wakes up [LAKSHMAN] and
[SITA]. His whispers are sharp and strained.
LAKSHMAN: What?!
SITA: Why?!
RAMA: There are far too many of them to feed and care for. Let us go and leave them now while they are still
asleep.
NARRATOR: Rama, his wife, and his brother, Lakshman stole away at night to escape the citizens who wanted to
follow them. They crossed the Ganges River penetrating deeper into the wilderness of the forest until they came
to the hermitage of Valmiki.
NARRATOR: Dasa-ratha was so stricken with grief at the loss of his son. He suffered from a terrible illness that
none of the kingdom's doctors could heal.
[BHARAT’s] voice cracks and tears start to appear in the corners of his eyes.
DASA-RATHA: It pains me to know that I will be leaving you without being able to see Rama. But know that I love
all of my sons equally. And I am sure that you will become a magnificent king when I am dead and gone.
BHARAT: But I do not know if I am ready to be king. I do not know if I have enough experience and knowledge.
DASA-RATHA: True. You may not have as much knowledge and experience as Rama, but do not worry, for I shall
be watching over you from the heavens, where I shall be reunited with our ancestors. Whenever you are having
doubts, just look to the skies, and remember that I will always be there, guiding you.
[BHARAT] kisses DASA-RATHA’s forehead and leaves as soon as his last breath is drawn.
NARRATOR: Bharat had made up his mind. Even his father's comforting words were not able to convince him
otherwise. He would go to the forest of Dandak to seek his elder brother and convince him to claim the throne.
BHARAT: RAMA!
BHARAT: Rama!
RAMA: Bharat!
RAMA: And you, my dear brother. But, might I inquire as to why you are here?
[BHARAT’s] smile slides off his face and gets replaced with a sad expression.
[RAMA] frowns.
Beat.
BHARAT: When you left, he became miserable and an illness that none of our doctors could heal took him. Before
he passed, father mentioned you a lot of times.
RAMA: I am very sorry. I was not there at the time of his passing. But, there is one ray of sunshine that may be
seen here. You are about to be king! For that, I must congratulate you.
BHARAT: Do not. For I have no desire to be king. This is also why I have come to you, brother. I implore you to
come back to Ayodia and claim the throne that is rightfully yours. Come home. Surely, Father’s death would
release you from your oath?
RAMA: But I may not seek Ayodia’s ancient throne, for righteous father’s mandate dutiful son may not disown.
And I may not, gentle brother, break the word of promise given, to a king and to a father who is now a saint in
heaven.
BHARAT: Very well. Then I would like to ask for one last request.
RAMA: Anything, my dear brother. Anything! Of course, with the exception of returning to Ayodia.
BHARAT: My request is for you to give me your sandals. I would like to place them on the throne as testimony to
the people that I am ruling in your name.
BHARAT: Farewell!
NARRATOR: Rama wandered from Northern India and reached Southern India. He built his forest hermitage in the
wilderness, there he live with Sita and Lakshman, in peace and serenity... until…
[RAKSHA] sighs.
RAKSHA: His name is Rama. He was once a prince of Kosalas but was exiled.
RAKSHA: I want him, Ravan. He has heart, and is very handsome too.
RAKSHA: But I would be willing to share his love with another woman.
RAVAN: Then go, my dear sister. Go to him. I do not think that he will be able to resist you with your beauty, even
if he already has a wife.
[RAKSHA] grins, goes to edge of stage and disappears in another puff of smoke.
[RAMA] and [SITA] sit in a corner while [LAKSHMAN] stands elsewhere with a bow in hand.
[RAKSHA] appears at the edge of the stage with a puff of smoke, face hidden, and starts to dance sexually in front
of [RAMA] when music starts.
[RAMA] is mildly amused but he shakes his head and points to his brother [LAKSHMAN].
[RAKSHA], eyes [LAKSHMAN], inspecting him from afar. She looks pleased, so she dances her way to him.
[LAKSHMAN] is a little more timid. But he also shakes his head and points back to [RAMA].
[RAKSHA] tries to dance back to [RAMA], but [RAMA] is still pointing to [LAKSHMAN]. She stops, in the middle of
the two now. She looks back to [LAKSHMAN], also pointing back to [RAMA].
The music suddenly stops. And so does [RAKSHA’s] dancing. She is frustrated and angry. This is visible as she
disappears in a puff of smoke.
RAKSHA: Those reprobates! Those filthy, filthy... DOGS! I gave them my love, but they refused it!
RAVAN: There, there, my love. Those miscreants did not deserve you anyway. Do not worry. We will take your
revenge and I assure you, it will be oh... so... sweet...
[RAVAN’s] eyes are filled with lust and malice.
NARRATOR: Ravan sent a beautiful golden deer to tempt Rama and Lakshman away from the hermitage.
[RAMA] and [LAKSHMAN] sneak around until they reach the edge of the stage and are covered by the curtain.
The curtain closes.
RAKSHA: No matter how loud your screams are, they won't be able to hear you. Now sleeeeep...
[RAVAN] goes to edge of stage with [SITA] and [RAKSHA], then flaps his cloak to hide themselves. They disappear.
[RAKSHA’s] cackling is still heard as the curtains close.
NARRATOR: After a year, Rama was finally able to find the siblings’ lair.
The music starts as [RAMA] sneaks into [RAVAN’s] chambers. [RAVAN] is caught off guard but immediately
recovers.
But [RAMA] eventually outsmarts [RAVAN] and stabs him in the heart.
[RAVAN’s] death is horrible, filled with screams as he writhes in agony on the floor.
[SITA] sits in a corner. She gets nervous when she hears footsteps.
[RAMA] enters and [SITA's] fright turns to happiness as she rushes to hug her husband.
RAMA: Now that Ravan is slain, you are now free to choose your path in life. You may stay in Ceylon, or you could
accompany Lakshman. You could also go to Bharat if you so desire.
[SITA] frowns.
RAMA: Sita, you were held captive by Ravan for a whole year. How would I be assured that you are still pure?
Beat.
SITA: I bid you to make an enormous fire. We shall settle this with a trial by fire.
Scene 16: Sita's Trial
SITA: This trial of fire is being performed in order to prove my purity. I am pure. I shall walk on this fire and if ever I
am lying, then may the flames consume me. But if I am not, then I will step out unharmed.
NARRATOR: In finding Sita, the gods had given Rama an aerial car which they, then used to travel back to North
India. This story was passed from Indian fathers to Indian sons, from generation to generation, and now, to you.
We hope that you will always remember this story and its virtues and to use it as a guide in your everyday lives.
Thank you for watching!