INTRO (FADE-IN-FADE-OUT 20 SECONDS)

(DASHARATHA)
Dasharatha, King of Ayodhya, has three wives and four sons. Rama is the eldest. His
mother is Kaushalya. Bharata is the second son of his favorite wife, Queen Kaikeyi. The
other two twins, Lakshman, and Shatrughna. Rama and Bharata are blue, perhaps
indicating they were dark skinned or originally south Indian deities.
5-10 SECOND OF MUSIC (SITA, RAMA)
In a neighboring city the ruler’s daughter is named Sita. When it was time for Sita to
choose her bridegroom, at a ceremony called a Swayam Vara, the princes were asked
to string a giant bow. No one else can lift the bow, but as Rama bends it, he not only
strings it but breaks it in two.
Sita’s Father: Prince of Ayodhya, Rama!!
Sita indicates she has chosen Rama as her husband by putting a garland around his
neck. The disappointed suitors watch.
15 SECONDS OF MUSIC (DASHARATHA, RAMA)
King Dasharatha, Rama’s father, decides to give his throne to his eldest son, Rama, and
retire to the forest to seek moshka. The plan fulfils the rules of dharma because an
eldest son should rule and, if a son can take over one’s responsibilities, one’s last years
may be spent in a search for moshka. Rama and Sita were very happy about the good
news.

Dasharatha: I’m too old now. And Rama, my eldest, be the next king of Ayodhya.
Rama: Oh father, I will make sure you will be proud of me as the next king.
Dasharatha: Don’t make me disappoint Rama, I will put my trust in you.
Rama: Yes father.

5-15 SECONDS OF MUSIC (SITA, RAMA)

Sita: You seem to be excited my love.

Rama: Yes dear, I will not disappoint my father and the people here.
Sita: It will be easy for you. And you deserve to be the next king.
Rama: I know, and I don’t know if it will be easy for me. But I’ll apply the knowledge I
learned from my father.
Sita: Very great. Now, will you take to the garden. I love the breeze of air today.
Rama: Yes, my dear.

10-20 SECONDS OF MUSIC (MANTHARA, KAIKEYI)

While the event was being prepared, Queen Kaikeyi’s mind was brain washed by her
maid Manthara who tried to convince Kaikeyi that horrible things would happen if
Rama would be crowned as the new king.
Manthara: Queen Kaikeyi, don’t you ever think? If Rama is crowned to be the next king.
Queen Kaikeyi: What should I do then?
Manthara: Do you remember, long ago, when you saved the king’s life and offered you
two gifts? Why don’t you use it? Let your son, Bharata, take the king’s throne instead of
Rama. It will benefit you too.
Queen Kaikeyi: You’re right Manthara, it is my right, and because I am his wife and the
queen.
Manthara: Not just his wife, you are his favorite wife. And Bharatha will be happy, right?
Queen Kaikeyi: But they will break the rule. Rama should really take the throne because
he is the eldest child of Dasharatha.
Manthara: That dharma doesn’t have a deep meaning. Why would you care? Would
you just sacrifice it for your son?
Queen Kaikeyi: No! It will not. Later I will ask Dasharatha to grant my wish. And Rama
will be banished.
Manthara: Good to hear my queen.

10 SECONDS OF MUSIC (KAIKEYI, DASHARATHA)

Queen Kaikeyi: Witness Rangers to the forest, Household Gods that guards us both,
mortal and immortals, witness ye the monarch’s oath. Ever faithful to his promise, ever
truthful in his words. Dasharatha, please grant my prayers, spirits and gods have heard.
Call to mind, O righteous monarch, days when in a bygone strife. With a woman’s
loving tendance, I, poor Kaikeyi cured your wound, till from death and danger I rescued
you, thou wert by a promise bound. Two rewards you’ve offered, what my loving heart
might seek, long delayed their wish fulfilment. By these rites ordained for Rama... such
the news my menials bring, let my Bharat, and not Rama, be anointed Regent King. I
would see my son anointed; Rama banished on this day.
Dasharatha: Aks for other boon, Kaikeyi, aught my sea-girt empire yields, wealth or
treasure, gem or jewel, castled towns or smiling fields, ask for other gifts, Kaikeyi. And
thy wishes shall be given, Stain me not with unholy in the eye of righteous heaven!
Queen Kaikeyi: If thy royal heart repent, break thy word and plighted promise, let thy
royal faith be rent.
King Dasharatha: If you say so, I shall grant your wish, Kaikeyi.

10-20 SECONDS OF MUSIC (DASHARATHA, RAMA, SITA)

Right in the morning, the devastated king cannot face Rama with the news.
King Dasharatha: Rama, I have important news for you.
Rama: What is it, father?
King Dasharatha: I am sorry, but Bharata will take my throne instead of you. And you’ll
be banished in the forest for fourteen years.
Sita and Rama were too shocked about the news.
Sita: But father-
Rama: It’s okay father, I understand your decision, and if you think that Bharata deserves
the throne than me, I understand it too. And as you wish, I’ll be banished to the forest
for fourteen years.
Sita: Are you sure? Are you not against it?
Rama: We must obey father.

5 SECONDS OF MUSIC (BHARATHA, RAMA)

Bharatha finds out about the news and was upset about it.
Bharata: I will break the rules of dharma for taking Rama’s throne. Rama, I beg you,
please go back to Ayodhya and take the throne, you know that the eldest must rule.
Rama: Bharata, father thinks that you deserve the throne and not me. Go and prove
that father is right to choose you as the next king.
Bharata takes Rama’s sandals saying
Bharata: I will put these on the throne, and every day I shall place the fruits of my work
at the feet of my lord. And when the fourteen years of banishment are over, I shall
joyously return the kingdom to you.
Rama was impressed. And Bharatha takes the sandals and returns to Ayodhya.

10-20 SECONDS OF MUSIC (RAMA, SITA, LAKSMAN, RAVANA)

Years pass, Rama, Sita, and Lakshman are very happy in the forest. Rama and Laksman
destroy the evil creatures.
One day, a rakshasa princess tries to seduce Rama, but Lakshman wounded her badly.
She returns to her brother Ravana, who is a ten-headed ruler of Lanka. And tells him
about the girl Sita. And Ravana devises a plan to abduct Sita.
And everything that Ravana planned was a success.
Rama is broken-hearted when he returns to the empty hut and cannot find Sita.

5 SECONDS OF MUSIC (RAMA, HANUMAN)

Rama: What should I do now? I cannot find my wife.

And a band of monkeys came to help Rama.
Hanuman: Do not worry Rama. I am Hanuman, me and my tribe came here to help you
find you beloved wife, Sita.
Rama: It is such a pleasure, I am very grateful that you came.

10 SECONDS OF MUSIC (RAVANA, SITA)

Sita: I will not be your wife, just let me go.
Ravana: I can give you anything you want, jewelry, diamonds, fame, and everything.
Sita: No! I am faithful to my husband Rama.
Ravana: I am giving you two choices, marry me or I’ll kill your beloved husband.

10 SECONDS OF MUSIC (HANUMAN, SITA)

Hanuman, the general of the monkey band, can fly since his father is the wind, and
Hanuman, and finds Sita in the grove.
Hanuman: Sita! You are the husband of Rama, am I right?
Sita: Yes, who are you?
Hanuman: I am Hanuman. And we are helping Rama to find you. You don’t need to
worry anymore. Rama will be here and rescue you.
Sita: Oh, really? Thank you very much Hanuman!

10 SECONDS OF MUSIC (RAVANA, HANUMAN, RAMA)

Ravana’s men captured Hanuman, and Ravana orders them to wrap Hanuman’s tail in
cloth and to set it on fire. While his tail burning, Hanuman hops from house-top to
house-top, setting Lanka afire. He flies back to Rama and tells where Sita is.
Rama: Did you find Sita?
Hanuman: Yes. Hurry up Rama, or Ravana will do something terrible to Sita.

10 SECONDS OF MUSIC (RAMA, LAKSHMAN, MONKEY BAND)

Rama, Laksman, and the monkey army build a causeway from the tip of India to Lanka
and cross over to Lanka.
10 SECONDS OF MUSIC (RAVANA, RAMA)
A might battle ensues. Rama confronts the ten-headed Ravana. And finally, Rama kills
Ravana.
10 SECONDS OF MUSIC (RAMA, SITA, HANUMAN)
Rama: Are you okay my dear?
Sita: Yes, I am very happy that you came to save me.
Rama: Don’t worry, Ravana is already dead. Let’s go back. And Hanuman, thank you for
helping me. You are a great leader of your tribe.
Hanuman: You’re welcome, Rama. May you and Sita live happily ever after.

10 SECONDS OF MUSIC (RAMA, SITA, LAKSHMAN)

Rama, Sita, and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya. Rama becomes the king.