The Ramayana

Level 3/4
I can describe the main points of the
story of the Ramayana.
Starter Task
Task-
What is happening in this
picture? Where do you think this
story is set?

Explain your answer.

The Ramayana

The Ramayana is This story dates back

to between 500-
one of the most 100BC.
important stories in
Indian culture and The story is often
has influenced retold in different
Indian culture and ways such as drama,
arts for thousands dance and song.
of years.
Brahman
Hindus believe that Brahman, their God has many different forms.
The three main forms are
•Brahma (The Creator)
•Vishnu (The Preserver)
•Shiva (The Destroyer).

Vishnu is said to have visited the earth 12 times in different forms. The
Ramayana is the story of one of these visits to earth when Vishnu took
the form of Rama, a Prince.
Task
1. Read the story of the Ramayana, as you are reading the story
annotate it. Use the following as a guide.

Main Events- Yellow

Characters- Green
Places- Pink
Underline any parts you find confusing.
Write down any questions you have as you go through the story.
 Example
When Rama’s father wanted to stand down from the throne and
hand the reign over to his eldest son Rama, he was reminded of
two promises he had made to his second wife. He had promised
her that their son Barata would succeed as king and that Rama
was to be sent into exile into the forest for fourteen years. To help
his father to make this difficult decision, Rama gave up the throne
and willingly left going into the forest with his wife Sinta and his
half brother Laksmana. Sadly, stricken with grief, Rama’s father
died.
Questions

1. Who are the main characters of the story?

2. Are there any parts of the story that you
find confusing?
3. Do you think this is a true story? Explain
your answer.
Why do you think this story has been
retold for thousands of years?
I can explain the main themes in
the Ramayana.
Starter Task
Write down as many examples of Good versus Evil you can think of

-Think about History, Films, Books, Television, News.

 Think About…

Discussion Rama is one of the avatars

of Vishnu. Vishnu is one of
the main forms of Brahman,
the Hindu God.
Where is the examples of Good vs. Evil in
the story?

What does this tells Hindus about god?

How might Hindus reflect on this story in

their everyday lives?
Task
• Create a Twitter Feed retelling the story of the
Ramayana.
• You will need to design avatars for the main
characters.
• You can use appropriate hashtags.
• Remember you can only use 149 characters.
Do you think only Hindus
can learn from this story?
 I can apply my knowledge of
the Ramayana to the everyday
lives of Hindus both in Scotland
and Globally.
Diwali
This festival is celebrated annually in either
October or November. It marks the beginning
of a New Year in Hinduism; as well as Jainism
and Sikhism.
It is the festival of lights - the lights symbolising
the triumph of good over evil.
It is a 5 day festival that involves fireworks,
sweets, gifts and parties.

During the festival the story of Rama and Sita is

retold through songs, dance and drama.
Task
In groups,

Create a performance that retells the story of Rama and Sita that could
be performed at a Diwali celebration.

It can be a mime, a dance or a song.

You must highlight the triumph of Good over Evil.
How can your community
celebrate Diwali?
 Lesson 4 -
I can analyse the relationships
between characters and the main
events in the Ramayana.
Starter Task

As well as the triumph of Good over Evil what

other themes are there in the Ramayana?
Task

Demonstrate your understanding of the characters of

the story of the Ramayana and their relationships by
creating a character map.
Alternative Endings
Discuss how the story may have ended if the following things were
changed.

1.Rama refused to go to the forest.

2.Rama never met Hanuman.
3.Rama never defeated Ravana.
 I can evaluate Hindu beliefs
about humankind through my
knowledge of the Ramayana.
Starter Task

Write a word cloud or a

mind map about what you
think Scottish culture is and
what makes Scotland
unique.
Messages of the Ramayana and Diwali
• Good always conquers Evil
• There should be Love and Loyalty in families.
• Hindus should show respect for all.
• Hindus should welcome everyone of all
backgrounds.
• Celebrations of Light at New Year.