Once there was an Indian king with three wives and four sons. The oldest son was called Rama and his mother's name was Kaushalaya. The second son was Bharat and his mother's name was Keykayee. The king was getting old and he chose Rama as the next king. But Keykayee wanted her son, Bharat, to be king. So she sent Rama far, far away and his wife, Sita, and brother Lakshaman went with him. The king died, but Bharat did not want to rule the land. He knew that Rama was the true king and he missed his brother very much. He put Rama's slippers by the king's throne to show that he would rule only until Rama came back.
The king was getting old and he chose Rama as the next king. But Keykayee wanted her son, Bharat, to be king. So she sent Rama far, far away and his wife, Sita, and brother Lakshaman went with him. The king died, but Bharat did not want to rule the land. He knew that Rama was the true king and he missed his brother very much. He put Rama's slippers by the king's throne to show that he would rule only until Rama came back.
Rama, Sita and Lakshaman set off on the long journey home. One day, Rama and Lakshaman went to hunt for food. They knew that the land was filled with demons, so Lakshaman drew a circle on the ground around Sita, saying, 'Do not step out of the circle, Sita, and you will be safe from all harm.' The king of the demons was Ravana. He had ten heads and 20 arms and he wanted Sita for himself. He disguised himself as a poor old man and found Sita safe inside the magic circle. But Ravana knew that Sita was a kind woman, and so he tricked her. 'Please, will you help a starving, old man,' he said to her, and Sita, who was indeed very kind, stepped out of the circle to help him.
Instantly, he turned back into a ten-headed monster and snatched her up and flew away with her to the island of Lanka.
When Rama came back and saw her gone, he asked his friend Hanuman, the monkey god, to help him find her. Hanuman called all the other animals, and together they set off to rescue Sita.
There was a fierce battle, until at last Ravana and Rama faced each other. Ravana fought with a different weapon in every one of his 20 hands, but Rama moved as quick as lightning and shot Ravana with many arrows from his bow, and Ravana, the demon king, fell dead on the ground.
Rama and Sita went back together to their homeland, and as news of their coming reached the people, they lit candles and divas to light their way back. Everyone was happy especially Bharat, and every year at Divali time, people celebrate the story of brave Rama and Sita, by lighting up the dark night with divas and many, many shining lights.
* Photographs of paintings by Bridgeman: Front cover - The Marriage of Rama and his brothers (National Museum of India, New Delhi) Inside - Rama and Lakshaman attacked (National Museum of India, New Delhi) Back cover - Hanuman worshipping Rama while Sita and Lakshaman look on (Victoria and Albert Museum, London)
* Story ideas, page 16
