The Ramayana Character List
Rama
The son of King Dasaratha and Queen Kausalya, Rama is the prince of Ayodya. He is an avatara of Vishnu, the Blue God and the sustainer of worlds. He is also a virtuous, strong, and just man in his own right. He is married to Sita, whom he loves deeply. He has a strong bond with his brother Lakshmana as well.
Sita
Sita’s father, King Janak, found her lying in a furrow on sanctified ground and decided to raise her as his daughter. She marries Rama, and loves him so much that she follows him into exile. She is famed for her virtue and beauty, and is regarded as an avatara of the goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort.
Ravana
Ravana is a rakshasa who performed penance for the God Siva for many years, and in return received a great blessing from the God: he cannot be killed by any God, demon, or other divine being. His arrogance combined, with great intelligence and power, has led him to rule over much of the earth, spreading terrible evil everywhere he goes.
Lakshmana
Son of King Dasaratha, and brother of Rama. He is deeply devoted to his brother, whom he follows through many dangerous adventures and quests. He is married to Sita’s younger sister, Urmila.
King Dasaratha
King of Ayodhya, father of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. Of all his three sons, he loves Rama most deeply, and tries to shelter the boy from any danger. He is a good king: kind, just and well-liked by his people.
Kaikeyi
The third and youngest wife of King Dasaratha, and mother of Bharata. She is famed for her beauty. After she saved the life of Dasaratha in battle, he offered to grant anything she would ask of him. She later calls in this favor to have Bharata crowned king and Rama sent into the forest, inspired by the worlds of her maid, Manthara.
Sumitra
Second wife of Dasaratha. She is the mother of Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Kausalya
The first wife of Dasaratha and mother of Rama. She is the oldest wife, and very kind and wise. She does not have a close relationship with her husband, but she loves her son Rama very deeply.
Bharata
Son of King Dasaratha and Queen Kaikeyi, he is half-brother to Rama, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. He is devoted to his brother Rama, and he tries desperately to undo the damage committed by his mother Kaikeyi.
Shatrughna
Son of King Dasaratha and Queen Sumitra (she drank two sips from the sacred cup, and consequently had twins). His twin brother is Lakshmana, and his half-brothers are Rama and Bharata. He follows his brother Bharata everywhere.
Sugriva
The rightful king of the vanaras, a race of magical monkeys. He was usurped by his brother Vali, and pledges his service to Rama and Lakshmana if they can restore him to his throne.
Hanuman
Advisor to Sugriva. He is the son of the wind god Vayu and a vanari woman.
Jambavan
King of the Riksharaj (magical bears). He is an ally of Sugriva and Rama. He is known for his gentle wisdom and quiet strength.
Indrajit
The favorite son of Ravana, and his most powerful warrior. He earned his name after he captured Indra, the king of the gods.
Kumbhakarna
Ravana’s brother. He is a giant with infinite strength who sleeps for six months at a time before waking up and eating everything he can see.
Agastya
An elderly and extremely powerful rishi who blesses Rama. Later when Rama is king of Ayodhya, he comes to Rama’s palace and tells him secret tales about the people he met on his journeys.
Even though the moral weight of the individual characters may vary from version to version, in all versions of the Ramayana, the conflict between good and evil, the deceptiveness of appearance, and the wiliness of evil are principal themes. Similarly, although the many narratives exhibit varying attitudes towards class relationships, proper social order, untouchability, and the duties and responsibilities of men and women to themselves, to the social world, and to each other, these are all addressed in one way or another in all versions of the Ramayana.
Naturally, the lessons of characters like Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Anjaneya are evident. Rama represents the lawful nature of structure and rules, of adhering to one’s word and following through on one’s promise. Sita is the devotional element, the idea that one must aspire for a transcendent purpose, something more meaningful than what one is. Lakshman is one who embodies the lesson of loyalty and honor, never fading in that commitment. Anjaneya is the embodiment of the lesson of working towards a noble goal, something that never fades even in the most trying of conditions. What makes The Ramayana such a unique work is that it features lessons in both the characters that represent “good” and those who do not. The work is central to the Hindu religion because of this.
Nadya Avthulhalick 