Ramayana Worksheet

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Ramayana Worksheet

1. How was the epic transmitted?

It was written in Sanskrit in the form of a poem and before that it was oral traditional belief for hundreds of years.

2. How is the hero's pedigree mythically established? More needs to be addedRB

Rama is the son of King Dasaratha and the seventh avatar of Vishnu. (Matthew Neal)

3. What calls the hero to take action?

Rama was called to action when his wife, Sita was captured. She was captured by Ravana, king of Lanka, and Rama had to save her.

4. What tests does the hero have to endure? Open for extra creditRB

Rama must win Sita's hand in marriage, his exiled, Sita is kidnapped, he must kill Vali in order to gain help from the monkey king, he must kill Ravana to rescue Sita. (Joe Faraguna)

5. What are the qualities of a hero revealed during the tests?

During Rama's tests, he reveals he is brave (in the bow and arrow test), devoted (to Sita when she was captured), and courageous (when fighting Ravana).

6. Who are the hero’s helpers?

Rama has animal helpers including a monkey tribe helping him kill Ravana. He also has Jatayu (a vulture who tried to kill Ravana), Hanuman (the leader of the monkey tribe), and Laxmana (devoted to Rama and leaves the palace and his wife behind to help him) as helpers.

7. Where does the hero's power come from? Open for extra creditRB

Rama's power comes from the divine because he is the seventh incarnation of Vishnu. (Matthew Neal)

8. What does the hero accomplish?

Throughout the story, Rama accomplishes many things. He is able to bend the bow and arrow but most importantly he is able to get Sita back and kill Ravana. After he "saves the day" he rules Ayodhya for many years.

All answers taken from Ramayana packet and Rama (paperback comic book)

Sydney Moye

Identify:

Rama - Seventh incarnation of Vishnu, represents an ideal man, carries a bow and arrow representing readiness to destroy evil and protect righteousness.

Laxmana - Symbolizes ideal of sacrifice, leaves wife and palace life behind to assist Rama in exile.

Sita - Symbolizes ideal daughter, wife, mother, queen. Represents all that is great and noble in womanhood. Rama's wife. An incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.

Bharata - Rama's brother, son of Queen Kaikeyi. Rules Ayodhya in Rama's name when Rama was exiled.

Ravana - 10 headed king of Lanka who kidnapped Sita. Mightiest king on Earth at the time. Gifted with supernatural powers.

Jatayu - Vulture who gave his life trying to save Sita from Ravana.

Hanuman - Leader of the monkey tribe allied with Rama. Obtained magical powers because his father was the god of the wind.

All IDs taken from Ramayana Packet

1,3,5,6,8-Sydney Moye ID-Philip Kensinger 2,4,7-Caroline Sasser