sRAMAYANA SCRIPT Vasistha: I understand your concern, King Dasharatha.

There are many things that

Characters:
Narrator 1 – Mariane Mercado
Dasharatha – Kurt Casas
Kausalya – Jameelah Ilagan
Kaikeye – Xanthal Dacillo
Sumitra – Marissa Carido
Vasistha – Paul Arellano
Ravana – JR Fragada
Servant 1 – Janel Ramento
Narrator 2 – Lyka Liwag
Rama – Bryce Ladera
Bharatha – Neo De Guzman
Lakshmana – James Bayoneto
Sita – Kyle Lumio
Shurpanakha – Mitch Madrigal
Hanuman – Gabrielle Manalo
can prevent a couple from having children. But there are also many remedies that can
help.
Dasharatha: What can I do?
Vasistha: There are many things you can do. You can change your diet, you can
exercise more, and you can take herbal remedies. But the most important thing you
can do is to pray to the gods.
Dasharatha: I will do all of those things. But I will also pray to the gods. I know
that they will help me.
Vasistha: I am sure they will, King Dasharatha. And I will be here to help you in any
way that I can.

Dasharatha: Thank you, Sage Vasistha. I appreciate your help.

----------------------------Act 1: The Four Sons------------------------------
Narrator 1: Long ago, Dasharatha, the wise king of Ayodhya of Sarayu, India had
three wives, namely, Kausalya, Kaikeye, and Sumitra. Kausalya is his first wife,
Kaikeye is his second and favourite, while the third wife is Sumitra. Though the
King had three wives, he didn’t have any children with them.
Dasharatha: I have been childless for a long time. If this situation stays like this,
who will be the heir of my beloved Kingdom? I can’t just stay like this. Servant!
Servant 1: How can I serve you, my majesty?
Dasharatha: Prepare the chariots for I will travel to the Chief Priest Vasistha to seek
for his advice.
Servant 1: Your order I’ll do, my Highness.
Narrator 2: So, the King went to Vasistha to talk and consult to him. After he
travelled for long, he finally reached Sage Vasistha, who happily welcomed the King
to his place.
Vasistha: You are welcome, King Dasharatha. Now, I recommend that you perform a
ritual to please the gods. This ritual will help to increase your chances of having
children.
Dasharatha: What is the ritual?
Vasistha: The ritual is called the Putrakameshti Yagna. It is a sacrifice that is
performed to please the gods and to ask for their blessings for children.
Dasharatha: I will perform the ritual. I am willing to do anything to have children.
Vasistha: I am glad to hear that, King Dasharatha. I will help you to prepare for the
ritual.
*King Dasharatha leaves*
Vasistha: (to himself) I will do everything I can to help King Dasharatha and his
wives have children. They are good people, and they deserve to have a family.

Vasistha: Good day, my Majesty, here come and take a seat so we can have a
conversation properly.
Dasharatha: Thank you.
Narrator 2: After they sat, the discussion has started.
Dasharatha: Sage Vasistha, I have come to you today to seek your advice. I have
been married to my three wives for many years, but we have not been able to have
any children. I am worried that my line will die with me.
Narrator 1: And so, King Dasharatha and Sage Vasistha began their journey to have
children. They prayed to the gods, they changed their diets, and they exercised more.
And after many years, their prayers were finally answered, and performed the ritual.
Dasharatha: I, King Dasharatha, hereby declare that I will perform the Ashvamedha
Yagna. This is a great sacrifice that will bring glory to my kingdom and ensure the
prosperity of my people.
Vasistha: I, Sage Vasistha, will be honored to conduct this ritual. I will do my best to
ensure that it is performed correctly and that the gods are pleased.
Priests: We, the priests, will assist Sage Vasistha in the performance of the ritual. We
will make sure that all the necessary preparations are made and that the ritual is
performed according to the scriptures.
Royal subjects: We, the royal subjects, pledge our support to King Dasharatha in
this great undertaking. We will pray for the success of the ritual and for the blessings
of the gods.
*The ritual begins*
Narrator 2: The priests chant mantras and make offerings to the gods. King
Dasharatha sacrifices a white horse, and the blood is poured into a fire. The ritual
continues for several days. On the final day, the gods are pleased with the sacrifice.
They appear to King Dasharatha and grant him a boon. One of them appeared out of
the flame and handed him a pot full of nectar. The god told the king to share the
nectar with his three queens Kausalya, Kaikeye, and Sumitra.
God (voice): King Dasharatha, we are pleased with your sacrifice. We grant you a
boon. You will have four sons, who will be great warriors and rulers. They will bring
glory to your kingdom and ensure the prosperity of your people.
Narrator 1: King Dasharatha is overjoyed. He thanks the gods and returns to his
kingdom. The next year, Queen Kausalya gives birth to a son, Rama. Soon after,
Queen Sumitra gives birth to twins, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Finally, Queen
Kaikeyi gives birth to a son, Bharatha. The four sons of King Dasharatha grow up to
be great warriors and rulers. They bring glory to their kingdom and ensure the
prosperity of their people. The Ashvamedha Yagna was a great success. It brought
glory to King Dasharatha's kingdom and ensured the prosperity of his people. It also
blessed King Dasharatha with four sons, who would go on to become great warriors
and rulers.
---------------------Act 2: The Introduction of Sita-------------------------
Narrator 2: Rama is introduced to Sita, a noble and beautiful princess from Mithila.
The court is held in Ayodhya, where various kings, sages, and ministers are invited to
discuss the welfare of the land.]
Sita: It is an honour to meet you, Rama. I have heard many good things about you.
Rama: And I am equally delighted to meet you, Sita. Your reputation precedes you.
Narrator 1: They speak for a while, with the court commencing soon after. The
guests are welcomed by Dasharatha and his queens. The discussions range from
trade to admiration of Rama's valour. When it was time for Sita to choose her
bridegroom, at a ceremony called a Swayamvara, the princes were asked to string a
giant bow. No one else could even lift the bow. A swayamvara is a ceremony in
which a princess chooses her own husband from among a group of suitors. The
princess is usually the daughter of a king or other powerful ruler, and the suitors are
usually princes or other noblemen. The swayamvara is a public event, and it is often
held in a grand arena or hall. The princess is seated on a throne, and the suitors
approach her one by one. Each suitor must perform a task or challenge, and the
princess chooses the suitor who performs the task the best.
Sita: I am Sita, the daughter of King Janaka. I am here today to choose my husband.
Prince 1: I am Prince 1. I am a brave and strong warrior. I would be honoured to be
your husband.
Prince 2: I am Prince 2. I am a wise and just ruler. I would be a good husband to
you.
Prince 3: I am Prince 3. I am a wealthy and powerful man. I can give you everything
you ever wanted.
Rama: I am Rama, the son of King Dasharatha. I am a simple man, but I am also a
good man. I would love to be your husband.
Narrator 2: Sita looks at each of the princes. She is impressed by their strength,
their wisdom, and their wealth. But a ceremony must be performed first, and the
swayamvara is started.
Sita: I will choose the suitor who can string this bow and shoot an arrow through this
target.
Narrator 2: The princes approach the bow. They are all strong and skilled archers,
but none of them can string the bow. Rama steps forward. He is young and
inexperienced, but he is strong and determined. He takes the bow in his hands and
strings it with ease. He then takes an arrow and shoots it through the target. The
princess is impressed. She has never seen anyone string the bow so easily or shoot an
arrow so accurately. She knows that Rama is the one for her.
Sita: I choose Rama to be my husband.
Narrator 1: The other princes are disappointed, but they accept Sita's decision.
Rama is overjoyed. He has found the woman of his dreams. Rama and Sita are
married in a grand ceremony. They live happily ever after.
----------------------------Act 3: The Next King------------------------------
Narrator 2: Time had passed, King Dasharatha had grown old and the time had
come to choose his successor. Dasharatha had three wives and four sons, but not all
were eligible to become the next king. The search was on for the worthiest candidate.
*Scene opens with King Dasharatha sitting on his throne. A council of ministers
stands before him*
Dasharatha: I have given this matter much thought. My eldest son, Rama, is the best
among the four. He has proven his worthiness in battles, he is intelligent, kind-
hearted and greatly respected by people. (Pauses) Hence, Rama will be my successor.
*All the ministers nod in agreement except one – Kaikeye*
Kaikeye: (interrupts) My lord, I object. It is true that Rama is capable and noble, but
I believe that my own son Bharatha is more fit to be the next king of Ayodhya.
Kausalya: What is the meaning of this, Kaikeye? Why have you demanded that
Bharata be made king instead of Rama?
Kaikeye: I have my reasons, Kausalya. I have served your husband for many years,
and I have always been loyal to him. But he has not been fair to me. He promised me
that Bharata would be made king, but now he is going to break his promise.
Kausalya: That is not true, Kaikeye. Your husband has never promised you that
Bharata would be made king.
Kaikeye: He has, Kausalya. I have the witnesses to prove it.
Kausalya: Even if he did promise you, that does not give you the right to demand
that Bharata be made king. Rama is the rightful heir to the throne.
Sumitra: Kausalya is right Kaikeye, we should follow the rules and laws of the
Dharma.
Kaikeye: Rama is not the rightful heir to the throne. I am the one who has the right
to choose the next king.
Kausalya: This is madness, Kaikeye. You cannot do this.
Sumitra: You cannot use your power to fulfil your wants!
Kaikeye: I can do whatever I want, Kausalya. I am the queen of Ayodhya.
Kausalya: You are not the queen of Ayodhya. I am the queen of Ayodhya. And I will
not allow you to do this to Rama.
Kaikeye: You cannot stop me, Kausalya. I have the power to do whatever I want.
Kausalya: We will see about that, Kaikeye.
Kaikeye: We will, Kausalya. We will.
Narrator 2: The two queens glared at each other, their anger rising. Kausalya knew
that she could not stop Kaikeyi, but she was determined to fight for Rama. She
would not let her son be exiled to the forest. While Dasharatha, stand between them.
Dasharatha: (surprised) But why do you say that, my dear Queen?
Kaikeye: (firmly) My son has been brought up in the royal palace, he has had
training in administration, warfare and politics from an early age. I think he would be
the perfect king.
Dasharatha: (shaking his head) You are forgetting one crucial point, Queen Kaikeyi.
Rama is the elder son, and by tradition, he should be the next king. Moreover, the
people of Ayodhya love Rama and look up to him as a great leader.
Kaikeye: (angrily) I don't care about any tradition or people's opinion! I demand that
my son Bharatha be named the next king.
Dasharatha: (sighing) Please understand, my queen. This is not about our personal
feelings, but about the welfare of our kingdom. We must follow the rules and
traditions laid down by our ancestors.
Kaikeye: (tears welling in her eyes) I see... So, it is all about following rules, not
about the love and sacrifice I have given to you all these years. (Pauses) Fine, name
that beloved son of yours as the king and exile Rama to the forest for 14 years.
Dasharatha: (shocked) What? Kaikeye, how can you even suggest such a thing?
Kaikeye: (coldly) It is what I ask for, and I will not budge from my stance.
Narrator 1: Dasharatha looks sad and helpless, knowing the consequences of
breaking a promise made to Kaikeyi in the past. He slowly gets up and leaves the
throne room. The council of ministers looks at each other in confusion, while
Kaikeye storms out in anger.
*Scene transition to Rama, who is standing outside the palace, not aware of what
has happened. Dasharatha enters, looking heartbroken*
Rama: (smiling) Father! What brings you here?
Dasharatha: (voice trembling) My son, I have a terrible message to give you.
Rama: (concerned) What is it, father? You look so troubled.
Dasharatha: (tears streaming down his face) Kaikeye has asked for an undeserved
boon and I have given her a promise in the past. Now she's using it against you. You
must go to the forest for 14 years.
Rama: (shocked) What? This is unbelievable! Father, you cannot be serious.
Dasharatha: (nodding) I'm truly sorry, my son. Forgive me for having to do this.
Narrator 2: Then, Bharatha, the second son, went to visit his elder brother and their
father.
Bharata: Father, I have just received word that you are ill. I have come to see how I
may serve you.
Dasharatha: My son, I am not ill. I am well, but I have something to tell you.
Bharata: What is it, father?
Dasharatha: I have made a mistake. Many years ago, I promised Kaikeyi a boon.
She has now come to claim it.
Bharata: What is the boon, father?
Dasharatha: She has asked that you be crowned king in my place. She has also
asked that Rama be banished to the forest for fourteen years.
Bharata: This is madness! Why would you do such a thing?
Dasharatha: I know it is madness, but I have no choice. I must honor my promise.
Bharata: I will not allow this to happen! I will not let you banish Rama!
Dasharatha: You cannot stop me, Bharata. This is my decision.
Bharata: Then I will go with Rama. I will not leave him alone in the forest.
Dasharatha: No, Bharata. You must stay here. You are the rightful heir to the throne.
You must rule Ayodhya in my place.
Bharata: I cannot do this, father. I cannot leave Rama.
Dasharatha: You must, Bharata. This is what I ask of you.
Bharata: I will not abandon my brother. I will not leave him alone.
Dasharatha: Please, Bharata. For my sake.
Bharata: Very well, father. I will stay here and rule Ayodhya in your place. But I will
not forget Rama. I will come for him as soon as the fourteen years are over.
Dasharatha: Thank you, Bharata. I knew I could count on you.
Bharata: I will not let you down, father.
Bharata: Brother, I cannot bear to see you leave. But I cannot disobey our father's
wishes either.
Rama: Fear not, Bharata. I shall return to Ayodhya when my exile has ended.
Sita: And I shall be by your side, Rama. Lakshmana and I will be your faithful
companions.
Narrator 1: Rama, who is still trying to process the information, looks at his father
with pain and sadness in his eyes. King Dasharatha is heartbroken by this decision,
but he knows that he cannot go back on his word. He orders Rama to be exiled, and
he makes Bharata king. Rama accepts his fate, and he leaves Ayodhya with
Lakshmana. Bharata is reluctant to be king, but he knows that he must obey his
father's wishes. He stays in Ayodhya and tries to rule wisely and justly.
------------------------Act 4: The Forest Banishment-----------------------
Narrator 2: Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana were exiled from their kingdom of Ayodhya
after Rama's stepmother, Kaikeyi, tricked Rama's father, King Dasharatha, into
banishing Rama for fourteen years. The three of them travelled to the forest, where
they lived a simple life.
Rama: Sita, I am so glad that we are finally here. This forest is so beautiful.
Sita: Yes, it is. I am so happy to be with you, Rama.
Lakshmana: I am glad that we are all together. We will face whatever challenges
come our way.
Narrator 1: One day, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana were resting in the forest when
they were approached by a group of demons. The demons were led by a rakshasa
named Shurpanakha. Shurpanakha, the sister of Ravana, the king of Lanka, was a
beautiful woman. She was also very proud and arrogant. She thought that she was
the most beautiful woman in the world, and she wanted to marry the most handsome
man. Shurpanakha heard about Rama and Lakshmana, two princes who were living
in exile in the forest. She decided to go and see them for herself. Shurpanakha
arrived at Rama and Lakshmana's camp and was immediately struck by their beauty.
She approached them and introduced herself.
Shurpanakha: I am Shurpanakha, the sister of Ravana, the king of Lanka. I have
come to see you because I am very impressed by your beauty. I would be honoured if
you would marry me.
*Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita are shocked*
*Sita tried to attack but Lakshmana stopped her*
Rama: Thank you for your offer, Shurpanakha, but I am already married. I am
married to Sita, the daughter of King Janaka. We are very happy together.
Shurpanakha: But I am much more beautiful than Sita! Why would you want to
marry her when you could have me?
Rama: "Beauty is not everything, Shurpanakha. Sita is a kind and gentle woman,
and she is also very intelligent. I am very lucky to have her as my wife."
Shurpanakha: I will not give up so easily! I will make you love me!
Rama: I am sorry, Shurpanakha, but it is not possible. I am not interested in you.
Shurpanakha: Very well, she said angrily. If you will not have me, then I will take
what I want!
Narrator 2: Shurpanakha lunged at Rama, but he was too quick for her. Lakshmana
drew his sword and cut off her nose and ears.
Shurpanakha: "You will pay for this, Rama!" she screamed. "I will make you
suffer!"
Narrator 2: Shurpanakha fled into the forest, vowing revenge.
Sita: "What was that all about?"
Rama: I don't know. But I have a feeling that we haven't seen the last of
Shurpanakha.
Lakshmana: I hope you're right, because if she comes back, I'm not going to be so
nice to her.
Rama: "I know, me neither."
--------------------------Act 5: The Abduction of Sita----------------------
Narrator 1: Due to the unwilling interaction between Shurpanakha and Rama,
Shurpanakha went to Ravana to seek for help on having Rama for her.
Shurpanakha: Ravana!
Ravana: What do you need my sister?
Shurpanakha: Have you heard of Rama, the exiled prince of Ayodhya?
Ravana: *thinks* Hmmm, so what is it that you need about him?
Shurpanakha: Rama is a skilled, handsome, kind, and clever prince. I like him but
he is already married and devoted to that Sita! (angrily)
Shurpanakha: And that's why I need you. You can have Sita for yourself and I'll
have Rama mine. So, is it a deal?
*Ravana stands and shakes Shurpanakha's hands*
Ravana: Well then, it's a deal.
*Both smirks*
Narrator 1: One day when Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are walking through the
forest, Ravana disguised as a wandering hermit. While he summoned a golden deer
to lure Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita. Rama is amazed by Sita’s beauty.
*Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are in the forest, when they hear the cry of an
extraordinary deer*
Sita: Look, Rama! That’s a magical deer, I think it would be nice if you hunt it.
Rama: Yes, it’s nice and looks rare but-
Sita: (in a begging/awe tone) Please Rama, I really desire that deer so much.
Rama: (to Lakshmana) This is no ordinary deer. It seems magical.
Lakshmana: (to Rama) Brother, we should not go after it. Something seems amiss.
Rama: (to Lakshmana) But Sita has expressed her desire to have the deer. We should
catch it for her.
Narrator 2: Rama goes in pursuit of the deer, while Lakshmana stays behind to
protect Sita. But after a while, Lakshmana also helps Sita. And Ravana finally took
his chance to do his plan.
*Ravana, disguised as a holy man, approaches Sita*
Ravana: (to Sita) Please, my dear lady, could you offer me some water? I am on a
pilgrimage and I am thirsty.
Sita: (to Ravana) Certainly, holy man. Please wait here. I will bring you some water.
(Ravana transforms back into his true form and kidnaps Sita)
Ravana: *laughs and transforms back to his demon form* Foolish woman, you have
fallen into my trap.
Sita: (terrified) Who are you? What do you want from me?
Ravana: (smirks) I am Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. And you, my dear Sita, are
going to be my queen.
Sita: (angry) How dare you! I am the wife of Lord Rama. You cannot take me away
from him!
Ravana: (laughs) Your whining and begging will not help. My armies are invincible
and I have defeated even the gods. You are mine now.
Sita: (sad and defeated) Oh Lord Rama, please save me. (cries)
*Ravana leaves while holding Sita --- in kidnap/hostage way/style*
Narrator 2: And with that, Ravana took Sita away to his kingdom in Lanka. While
Lakshmana and Rama returned to where they left Sita after they lost the deer.
Lakshmana: (returning after sensing danger) Brother, where is Sita?
Rama: (worried) She was here last. What do you mean she is missing?
Lakshmana: (to Rama) I heard noises and saw an illusionary golden deer. I knew
something was wrong.
Rama: (angry) Damn it! We have been tricked by Ravana. We must rescue Sita.
------------------------Act 6: A Help from Hanuman-----------------------
Narrator 1: Rama and Lakshmana begin their journey to rescue Sita and eventually
come across Hanuman.
Hanuman: (to Rama and Lakshmana) I am Hanuman, the mighty monkey. May I
know what brings you here?
Rama: Me and my brother, Lakshmana are here to travel and look for my wife, Sita.
Hanuman: Maybe I know where she is.
Rama: Where?
Hanuman: At Ravana’s kingdom. Ravana is the demon king of Lanka, who is also
the brother of Shurpanakha, her sister demon. Ravana is interested in beautiful
women while she is obsessed with princes like you two.
Lakshmana: Now I know, it all started when we met Shurpanakha
Rama: Indeed.
Hanuman: I can help you find Sita if you wish.
Rama: (grateful) Thank you, Hanuman. We must rescue her as soon as possible.
Narrator 1: Hanuman travels to Lanka to find Sita and rescue her.
*Change scene to jail in Ravana’s kingdom*
Hanuman: (to Sita) My lady, it is I, Hanuman. I have come to rescue you.
Sita: (overjoyed) Thank you, Hanuman. Please take me back to my husband.
Ravana: (approaches) Not so fast, Hanuman. You have trespassed in my kingdom. I
will have to capture you.
Narrator 2: Hanuman fights Ravana's army, but is ultimately captured.
Ravana: (smiling) Foolish monkey. You have gained nothing but your own capture.
Narrator 1: And with that, the story of Ramayana takes another dramatic turn. As
Rama and Lakshmana begin their search for Sita, Hanuman struggles to confront
Ravana's forces and ensure Sita's safety. But will their efforts prove to be enough in
the end? Only time will tell.
---------------Act 7: The Duel Between Ravana and Rama--------------
Narrator 2: The final duel between Rama and Ravana is the climax of the ancient
Indian epic, Ramayana. For years, Ravana had challenged Rama's authority and
finally, the two were poised to settle their differences once and for all. Rama and
Ravana enter the battlefield, holding their respective weapons.
Rama: (to Ravana) Your time has come, demon king. You have insulted the honour
of my wife and my kingdom for far too long.
Ravana: (to Rama) You may have won battles. But you will not win this war. I will
bring you down.
Narrator 1: Ravana charges towards Rama with his sword. They engage in a fierce
battle with swords and shields. As they clash, Ravana begins reciting powerful
incantations to increase his strength and power.
Rama: (to Ravana) Your magic tricks will not work here, Ravana. I am fighting with
the righteousness of Dharma on my side.
Narrator 2: Rama begins to overpower Ravana, pushing him back with each strike
of his sword.
Ravana: (standing back up) You may have strength, Rama, but I have knowledge of
the dark arts.
Narrator 1: Ravana conjures a powerful weapon and strikes Rama. Rama dodges
the attack and counterattacks with renewed vigour, using all his strength and skill to
strike blow after blow.
Ravana: (faltering) It seems my time has come. I have been defeated by the might of
Lord Rama.
Narrator 2: Ravana falls to the ground, defeated.
Rama: (to Ravana) You have finally met your end, Ravana. May your soul find
peace.
Narrator: And with that, the epic battle between Rama and Ravana came to a close,
bringing an end to the story of Ramayana. Rama had successfully protected the
honour of his wife and his kingdom, forever cementing his legacy as a warrior king.