From Valmiki to Tulsidas: Exploring the Many Faces of the Ramayana

Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas (Awadhi)

• Addition of the dialogue between Kak Bhusundi and Garuda about Rama’s divinity.
• Enhanced focus on Shabari’s devotion and Rama’s interaction with her.
• Omission of the killing of Shambuka by Rama.
• Inclusion of a more elaborate meeting between Rama and Bharat during the exile.
• Addition of Ravana’s remorseful thoughts before his death.

Kamba Ramayanam (Tamil)

• Ravana’s character given more depth, portraying him as a tragic hero with noble qualities.
• Sita’s abduction shown with greater emotional intensity and Ravana’s internal conflict.
• Addition of Ahalya cursing Gautama before her redemption by Rama.
• Enhanced focus on Hanuman’s devotion, with added episodes like his childhood exploits.
• Inclusion of a scene where Rama forgives and blesses Kumbhakarna despite his loyalty to Ravana.

Adbhuta Ramayana (Sanskrit)

• Introduction of a second Ravana, a thousand-headed demon, more powerful than the original.
• Sita taking an active role by transforming into Kali to slay the thousand-headed Ravana.
• Rama fainting in shock upon witnessing Sita’s fierce Kali form in battle.
• Addition of a backstory where the thousand-headed Ravana is born from Vishnu’s wrath.
• Inclusion of a cosmic battle where Sita’s divine power overshadows Rama’s heroism.
• Hanuman narrating the tale of Sita’s victory to Rama after the battle.

Ananda Ramayana (Sanskrit)

• Addition of Rama’s marriage to additional wives after Sita’s departure into the earth.
• Inclusion of a detailed account of Rama’s sons, Kusha and Lava, ruling Ayodhya.
• Sita giving birth to twin sons in Valmiki’s ashram with an extended narrative of their upbringing.
• Inclusion of a reconciliation scene between Rama and Sita in the afterlife.
• Addition of a story where Hanuman brings Rama’s ring to Sita in the forest.

Phulhar (Regional Tradition in Mithila)

• Greater emphasis on Sita’s birth and upbringing in Mithila, portraying her as a divine child found in a flower garden (Phulhar meaning "flower garden").
• Inclusion of a grander depiction of Rama and Sita’s first meeting in a garden (often identified with Phulhar’s Girija temple), highlighting a romantic "madhur milan" (sweet meeting) episode.
• Reduced focus on the war with Ravana, with more attention on Sita’s captivity and her interactions with local deities or spirits in Lanka, as per folk tales.

Ramayana Manjari (Sanskrit)

• Addition of a scene where Rama’s beauty captivates the sages during his exile, emphasizing his divine charm.
• Enhanced focus on Ravana’s pride and arrogance leading to his downfall, with poetic exaggeration of his defiance.

Krittivasi Ramayan (Bengali)

• Addition of a detailed episode where Sita prays to Goddess Durga during her captivity in Lanka, seeking strength and liberation.
• Inclusion of a narrative where Lakshmana’s wife, Urmila, sleeps for 14 years to allow him to stay vigilant during the exile.
• Addition of a scene where the river Sarayu mourns Rama’s departure from Ayodhya, personifying nature’s grief.