RAMAYANA - the great ancient Indian epic, the great poem in Sanskrit, created at the end of the first millennium BC. e. - the beginning of the first millennium BC. e. and powerfully influenced the culture and literature of India and neighboring countries of Asia. Indian tradition calls the author of the poem the legendary sage named Valmiki. RAMAYANA tells of the life and exploits of Tsarevich Rama, the incarnation of the god Vishnu, who was born on earth to destroy the rakshasa (demon) Ravana, an enemy of gods and people. Rama marries the beautiful princess Sita, surpassing in strength and dexterity all other applicants for her hand. Due to the machinations of Kaikeyi, the youngest wife of his father Dasharatha, Rama, along with Sita and brother Lakshmana, goes into forest exile for fourteen years. In the forest, Situ kidnaps Ravan and airlifts her to his realm on the island of Lanka. Going in search of Sita, Rama allies himself with the monkey king Sugriva, and Sugriva's advisor, a monkey named Hanuman, finds out where Sita is. Rama crosses the ocean to Lanka with his army, engages the Rakshasa, kills Ravana, and reunites with Sita.