Hindu American Foundations Diwali Toolkit 2013

Simplified Ramayana Script

TheRamayanainoneofthegreatestHinduepicsofalltimeanddatesbacktothousandsofyears.It
literallytranslatestoRamasJourneyandtellsthestoryofLordRama(anavataroftheGodVishnu)his
wife(Sita,anavataroftheGoddessLakshmi)andhisbrother(Lakshman).ForHindus,LordRamaisa
symbolofdharma(i.e.doingwhatisrightandvirtuous)SitaisasymbolofvirtueandpurityandLakshman
isasymbolofloyalty.Hanuman,whowillbeintroducedmidwaythroughthescript,isworshipedasperfect
devoteeoftheLord.TheRamayanateachesabouthumanbehavior,exploresindepththeconceptof
dharma,andprovidesguidanceonlivingrighteously.
PleasenotethattheHinduAmericanFoundationhastakenlibertywiththescriptbelow,sothatitsintended
middleschoolaudiencecangraspandenjoythebasicstoryandlessonslearnedfromthisgreatepic.

Part1:ExilefromAyodhya
Narrator:ItwasabrightandbeautifuldayinAyodhya,thecapitalofKosala.Dasaratha,theKingof
Kosala,feltlikethetimewasrightforhimtostepdownfromthethroneandappointanewking.Hewas
blessedwithfoursonsfromhisthreewives.Kaushalya,theeldest,gavebirthtoRama.Kaikeyi,
Dashrathasfavorite,gavebirthtoBharata.Sumitra,theyoungest,hadtwinsnamedLakshmanand
Shatrugan.DashrathschoiceassuccessorwashiseldestsonRama,husbandofSita,destroyerof
demons,andfriendofthegoodhearted.Thepreparationsforthecoronationceremonyhadbeenmade,and
todayRamawouldofficiallybeanointedasthenextKingofKosala.KingDasarathahadnoideawhatwas
abouttohappen
Kaikeyi:IcannotwaitforRamascoronationtoday!Manthara,mydearestmaid,whydontyoulookas
happyastherestofthekingdom?
Manthara:Youfool!Thethroneshouldbelongtoyourson,Bharata.YoureDasarathasfavoritequeen.
ButifRamabecomesking,youwillbecomeanothing!DontforgetDasarathaspromisetoyoufromback
intheday.Useitnow!
Mantharaexits,Kaikeyiponders,andDasarathaenters.
Kaikeyi:Dasaratha,Ioncesavedyouonthebattlefield,andyoupromisedmetwowishes.Ihaventused
themyet,butIwanttousethemnow.
Dasaratha:Okay.Noproblem,butthereareacoupleofrules.Rulenumber1:Icantkillanybody.Rule
number2,Icantmakeanybodyfallinlovewithanybodyelse.Rulenumber3:Icantbringpeoplebackfrom
thedead.Itsnotaprettypicture.Otherthanthat,yougotit.
Kaikeyi:IwishformysonBharatatobethenextkingofKosala,andIwishforRamatobebanishedtothe
forestfor14yearssothathedoesnotchallengeBharatasauthority.
Dasaratha:Areyoucrazy?!Iacceptyourfirstwish,butpleasereconsiderthesecond!ExilingRamato
theforestfor14yearsislikesuicide!Evillurksintheforest!
Kaikeyi:Youtalkasifthereisnownolightleftintheworld,butknowthisthenightisdarkestjustbefore
thedawn,andIpromiseyouthedawniscoming!YoumaybeworriedaboutRamarightnow,butIknow
Bharatawillbeagreatking[Dasarathacollapsesinshock]

Hindu American Foundations Diwali Toolkit 2013

Simplified Ramayana Script

Rama,Sita,andLakshmanenter.
Rama:Whoawhathappenedtodad!?!?!
Kaikeyi:Well,hecertainlydoesnthavenervesofsteel,thatsforsure!
Rama:Butwhatstheproblem?
Kaikeyi:YourfatherdoesnothavethestrengthtofulfillthetwowisheshepromisedmethatBharata
becomeKingandyoubecomeexiledtotheforestfor14years.
Rama:Ifmydaddoesnthavethestrengthtofulfillhispromise,Iwilldoitforhim.Consideritdone.
Lakshman:Rama,youwontbealone!Illcometoo!Ivegotyourback,bro!
Sita:Imcomingtoo!Iwillalwaysbebyyourside!
Lakshman:WethreewilldestroyevilandupholdKingDasarathasnamebycarryingouthispromiseto
Kaikeyi.WewillbeknownastheFellowshipoftheKing!
RamaandSitagiveLakshmanafunnylook.
Bharataenters.
Bharata:Ijustheardthenews.Mom,youcantdothis!IwantRamatobeKing!
Kaikeyi:Dontquestionme.Mothersalwaysknowbest!
Rama:Calmdown,Bharata,wellbefine!
Bharata:No,thisiswrong.Youareking.IllbeyourstandinKingforthenext14years,butassoonas
youcomeback,youaretakingyourrightfulplaceonthethrone.Forthenext14years,yourshoeswillbe
onthethroneandIwillnotsteponefootintoAyodhya.
Kaikeyi:Enoughchitchat.Whatareyouguyswaitingfor?Youthreeleaveatonce,andletBharatas
coronationbegin.
Bharata:Therewillbenocoronation,mother.RamaistherightfulKingandIwillnottakehisplace.[to
Rama,LakshmanandSita]Iwishyouthreeasafeandpleasanttimeintheforest.Maytheforcebewith
youall.
Rama:Wellbefine,Bharata.Weregoingtotheforest,notagalaxyfarfaraway!Letsrollguys!
Rama,Lakshman,andSitaexit.
Narrator:Andsowithbravery,thetrioofRama,Sita,andLakshmanventuredintotheforest,unawareofthe
manyadventuresthattheywouldencounterinthenearfuture.
Part2:TheForest

Hindu American Foundations Diwali Toolkit 2013

Simplified Ramayana Script

Narrator:Rama,hiswifeSita,andhisbrotherLakshman,royaltyfromAyodhya,findthemselvesinthe
forestfor14yearsbecauseofRamascommitmenttokeepingpromises,evenifthisonewashisfathers.
Theforestwasmagnificentandvast.Greatsageslivedwithintheforestlived,andthetriopaidtheir
respectstotheashramsofthevarioussages.Unfortunately,theforestwasalsohometoagrowingnumber
ofdemonswhocreatedmischiefandterrorizedtheholysages.Thekingofthedemonswastheall
powerful,evilRavana.KnowingofRamasstrengthandgoodness,thesagesappealedtohimtoridthe
forestofthedemons.Ramaagreedandwentaboutfulfillinghispromise.Onebeautifuldayintheforest,
Rama,Sita,andLakshmangetavisitfromtheevildemonessShurpanaka,thesisterofKingRavana...
Lakshman:Man,itsgoingtobealong14yearsouthere.
Sita:Youretellingme.
Rama:Sssshhh,IthinkIhearsomething!
Shurpanakaemerges.
Shurpanaka:HeyRama.Ireallylikeyou.
Rama:Huh?Whatareyoutalkingabout?
Shurpanaka:Willyoumarryme?
Rama:Nosorry,Imalreadymarried.ButmaybeyoucanaskmybroLakshmanoverthere!
LakshmanthrowsRamaanastyglare.Shurpanakasauntersover.
Shurpanaka:HeyLakshman,howaboutyou?
Lakshman:What?
Shurpanaka:Marryme?
Lakshman:Yeahsure,thatswhyyouapproachedRamafirst!Nothanks,Imnotinterested.Youcan
leavenow.
Shurpanaka:OMG,Iveneverbeensohumiliated.Thisisallherfault![pointsatSita]
ShurpanakaattacksSita.LakshmancutsoffShurpankasnose.Sherunsoffcrying.
Narrator:Shurpanakarantoherbrother,theallpowerfulKingofLanka,Ravana,andtoldhimwhat
happened.HeimmediatelymadeplansforretaliationwithhisuncleMareech,whotransformshimselfintoa
goldendeer.
ThegoldendeerstreakspastRama,Lakshman,andSita.
Sita:LookRama!!Didyouseethat?
Rama:Yup.

Hindu American Foundations Diwali Toolkit 2013

Simplified Ramayana Script

Sita:Well?
SitalooksupatRamaandflashesabigsmile.
Rama:What?
Sita:YouknowhowmuchIlovetheanimals.Idlovetohavethatdeerasapet!
Rama:Yourwishismycommand.
Ramarunsoff,leavingLakshmantoensureSitassafety.
Lakshman:Sohowareyouholdingup?
TheyhearRamayell.
Narrator:MareechmimickedRamasvoicetotrickLakshmanintothinkingRamawasintrouble.Mareech
knewLakshman,beingtheloyalbrotherhewas,wouldruntoRamasaid,whileSitastayedbehind
LakshmanlooksatSita,stillwaitingforaresponse.
Sita:WhatareYOUwaitingfor?
Lakshman:Iaskedyouhowyouredoing
Sita:GOHELPYOURBROTHER!!Whatiswrongwithyou??
Lakshman:Hesfiiiiiiine!Nothingcanhappentohim.Heisallpowerful.Plus,hemademepromisenotto
leaveyoualone!
Sita:What??Areyoucrazy?Hescallingyournameforhelp!Gonow!!
Lakshman:Fine...butwait,pleasedontstepoutsidethislineokay?Itllkeepyousafe.
Sita:Alright,justpleasego!
LakshmandrawsalinearoundSitaandthehut,thenrunsoff.Ravanaarrives,dressedlikeapooroldman.
Ravana:Miss,doyouhaveanysparechangeorfood?
Sita:Nope,sorry.[turnsherbacktohim]
Ravana:Aww,comeon,Imstarvinghere!
Sita:Alright,alright.
SitagetsapieceofbreadfortheoldmanandtriestogiveittoRavanawithoutsteppingoutsidethecircle,
butshetripsout.Ravanagrabsherwristanddragsheraway,cacklinginanevilfashion.

Hindu American Foundations Diwali Toolkit 2013

Simplified Ramayana Script

Narrator:LakshmanfindsRama,whoisperfectlyfine,andthetwobrothersquicklyrealizethattheyhad
beendeceived.Withmountinghorror,theyreturnedtotheirhut,onlytorealizethatSitawasgone
Rama:SITA!!!![fallstohisknees]
Lakshman:OMG.Howdidthishappen?Youthinkmycircledidntwork?!Howcouldmycirclenotwork?!
Mycirclesalwayswork!Ordidshestepout?Man.[noticesRama,sittingthere,lookingstricken].Itllbe
fine!YoureRamatheAlmighty!TheUpholderofAllthatisRight!ThePromiseKeeper!Theresgottobe
ahappyending!Letsgofindher!
LakshmandragsRamaoff,whoisstillstricken,andtheywanderthroughtheforest,yellingSitasname.
Rama:Itsnouse,werenevergoingtofindher![startstearingup]
Lakshman:Ofcoursewewill.Goodalwaysprevails.Wewillfindher.
Hanumansoarsinandstrikesasuperheropose.
Hanuman:Neverfear,Hanumanishere!
Rama:Wow,canyoureallyhelpus?
Lakshman:Haveyouseenaprettyladyinanorangesaribeingdraggedoffbyanyone?
Hanuman:Indeed,Ihave!IsawonefairmaidenbeingdraggedoffbyRavana.Shedroppedsomeofher
ornaments.[pullsthemoutandshowsthemtotheboys.]Dotheylooklikehers?
Rama:ThatsthebraceletIgaveherandthenecklaceIgaveher!Icantbelieveshedroppedeverything
Lakshman:Shedroppeditsoitwouldbeeasierforustofollowher!WhosthisRavana?
Hanuman:IlltellyouallabouthimandhiskingdominLanka.Illevenhelpyougetanarmytofighthimif
youdomealittlefavorfirst.
Rama:Nameyourprice!
Hanuman:LetsgomeetmyfriendSugreeva,sohecanexplain.
Rama:HeySugreeva,whatsthedeal?Hanumansaidyoucouldusemyhelp?
Sugreeva:Yes,Icould!Mybrother,Bali,tookmywife,andIneedhelptogetherback!
Rama:Whatisgoingoninthisforest?Whydopeoplekeepstealingotherpeopleswives??
Hanuman:Tellthemhow.
Sugreeva:MybrotherandIusedtobereallytight.HewastheKing,andIwashisassistant.Sowhenthis
demoncamedown,Balihadtofightittoprotecthispeople.Hetookthedemontoacaveandtoldmeto
waitoutside,andtorunandprotectthekingdomintheoffchancethathelost.Balihasaboonthatmakes

Hindu American Foundations Diwali Toolkit 2013

Simplified Ramayana Script

him3timesstrongerthananyonehefights,soIfiguredthatBaliwouldbedonebeforesunset.
Rama:Umm,whathappenedtoBali?
Sugreeva:IendedupwaitingoutsidethecaveforawholeyearbecauseIdidntknowifthefightwasover.
Thenoneday,astreamofbloodtrickledoutofthecave.IassumedthatBalihadlostandrushedbackto
protectthekingdom.Afewyearslater,Balicameback!Iwassohappytoseehim!ButhethoughtIhad
triedtostealhisthrone,sohebanishedmeandtookmywifeforhimself.Itriedtofighthim,butIcantbeat
himwithhisawesomeboon.
Hanuman:Isn'tthatmessedup?
Rama:Dontworry,Sugreev.IfyoupromisetohelpmeafterIgetyoubackyourwifeandthethrone,Illhelp
youtakedownBali.
Sugreeva:Deal.Whatstheplan?
Rama:ChallengeBalitoafight.Illhideinthebushesandshoothimwithmyarrow.Here,takemyspecial
necklacesothatIcantellyoutwoapart.
Sugreeva:Alright,letsgo!
SugreevapproachesKingBali.
Sugreeva:HeyBali!Givememywifeback!
Bali:Noway,littlebrother.Sheisminenow!
SugreevroarsinrageandthrowshimselfatBali,theybegintofight.Ramaishidingbehindabush,and
whenhegetsthechance,heshootsBali.
Bali:Ahh!Howcouldyoudothis,lilbro?Youhadmestabbed,errshot,inthebackbyastranger?Thatsa
lowblow.DoesntyourlittlefriendknowaboutDharma,thecodeofrighteousconduct?Thisiswrong!
Rama:Yourewrong,Bali.Myactionswerentnondharmic,YOURSwere.Alittlebrotherissupposedtobe
likeason,andhiswifelikeadaughterinlaw.StealingSugreevswifewasthelowestthingyoucouldhave
done.Youdeservethis.
Bali:Youreright,andIrepent.Sorry,littlebro.[dies,Sugreevaismoved]
Rama:Sugreeva,yourenowking.Sooooo,couldIborrowyourarmylikeyoupromised?
Sugreeva:Surething,Rama.Lankaisdownsouth!Imcomingwithyou.Letsgo!
Part3:GettingSitaBack
Narrator:Rama,hiswifeSita,andhisbrotherLakshmanhavebeenbanishedtotheforestfor14years.In
theforest,anevildemonnamedRavanakidnapsSita.Hanuman,wholivesinthesameforest,agreesto
helpRamafindhiswifesinceRamadidhimafavor.WefindHanuman,usingtheextraordinarypowershe

Hindu American Foundations Diwali Toolkit 2013

Simplified Ramayana Script

possesses,flyingtoLankatobeginhissearchforSita,hopingtogiveheratokenfromRama.
HanumantiptoesquietlyinsearchofSita.
Hanuman:Man,youdthinktheredbesomeclueofSitasomewhereIveprettymuchsearchedallof
Lankabynow!
HanumanwalksandspotsSita.
Hanuman[tohimself]:Thatsgottobeher!
HanumanwalksslowlytoSita.
Sita:Whoareyou!?!?!AnotheroneofRavanasassistantsheretotormentme,Ibet!
Hanuman:Actually,mynameisHanuman,andIcomeasamessengerforRama.
Sita:Rama!?!?!Whereishe?Hehasntforgottenme,hashe?
Hanuman:No,notatall.Hehasntforgottenaboutyouhesbeentryingtofindyoueversinceyouwere
takenfromhim!NowthatIvefoundyou,Icantakeyoubacktohim.
Sita:IamSita,thefaithfulPrincessofAyodhya,andwillnotletanymanotherthanRamasaveme!And
anyways,IstilldonthaveanyproofthatyouarentoneofRavanasmenorthatIcantrustyou.
Hanuman:Maybethiswillclearyourmindthen.Ramatoldmetogiveittoyou.[givesSitaRamasring]
Sita:Thisismyhusbandsring!Youmustbetellingthetruththen.GivethistoRama[givesHanumanher
ring]andtellRamatohurryupandgetme!!!!
Hanumanexits.
Narrator:HanumanmadehiswaybacktoRamascamptoreportallhisfindings,butnotbeforesettingfire
toallofLankaexceptthelandSitawassittingon.RamaorderedhismentobuildabridgetoLanka,and
afterthebridgescompletion,RamasarmybegantheirassaultonLanka.Ravanawatchedashismenwent
downonebyonebyone
Fightingensuesinthebackground.
Ravana:Arrgh!!Thisisnotgoingaccordingtoplanatall.Youthere[toRavanaassoldier]!Soldier!Come
overherenow!
Ravanassoldier:Yes,sir.
Ravana:Doyouknowwhatmywatchistellingme?[holdswatchtohisear]
Ravanassoldier:Itspeanutbutterjellytime!?
Ravana:NO,YOUFOOL!ITSTELLINGMETHATITSTIMEFORYOUTOGOKILLRama!NOWGO!

Hindu American Foundations Diwali Toolkit 2013

Simplified Ramayana Script

Ravanassoldiergoesintobattle,andRamakillshiminonesecond.Ravanashakeshishead.
Ravana[tohimself]:Incompetentfools.IguessIllhavetodothismyself.
RamaandRavanafaceeachotherlikeinagoodoldfashionedduel.
Ravana:HungryRama?Illgladlyserveyouafreeknucklesandwich!
Rama:Nothanks,Imfastingtoday.IwouldnteatrightnowifIwereyouanywaysyouareabouttotaste
awholelotofpain!
Narrarator:RavanaandRamafightanepicbattlebutRamawinsintheendafterVibhishan,Ravanas
piousbrother,promptshimtoshootRavanainthenavel.RamaandSitaarefinallyreunited.
Rama:Sita!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sita:Rama!!!!!!!!!!!!
Narrator:AndsowithgreathappinessRama,Sita,Lakshman,andtherestoftheRamasarmymadetheir
waybacktoAyodhya,sincetheir14yearsofexilewereupbythistime.ThecityofAyodhyawasso
overjoyedatRamasreturnthattheydecoratedthewholecitywithlampstoguidehiswayhome.They
calledthisdayDiwali,aftertheclaylampssetoutforhim.HindusaroundtheworldcelebrateDiwaliasthe
timethatgooddefeatedevil.HappyDiwali!