The Ramakien

The Exile of Phra Ram

Phra Ram, the valiant prince of Ayodhya, was a beloved figure of his people. His wisdom, bravery, and adherence to dharma made him a shining beacon of hope. Yet, fate had a cruel twist in store for him. His stepmother, Queen Kaikeyi, manipulated by the promise of her own son’s ascension to the throne, demanded that Phra Ram be exiled for fourteen years. Bound by his duty to his father, King Dasaratha, Phra Ram accepted this unjust fate with grace and humility.

Together with his wife, Sida, and his loyal brother, Phra Lak, he journeyed deep into the forests, leaving behind the comforts and luxuries of the palace. For years, they lived simply, finding peace in the wilderness. Unbeknownst to them, the wheels of destiny were turning, leading them toward an encounter with the fearsome demon king, Tosakanth, who ruled the island of Lanka.

The Abduction of Sida

Tosakanth, the ten-headed demon king, had long been fascinated by Sida, whose beauty was said to rival the goddesses themselves. From his distant kingdom of Lanka, he concocted a plan to make her his own. One day, as Phra Ram and Phra Lak were away hunting, Tosakanth sent one of his trusted allies, a demon named Mareet, to disguise himself as a golden deer and lure the brothers away.

Sida, captivated by the sight of the magical creature, implored Phra Ram to capture it for her. Despite his misgivings, Phra Ram chased after the deer, leaving Phra Lak behind to protect Sida. However, as the brothers were away, Tosakanth himself appeared in the guise of a holy sage, begging for alms. Sida, bound by her own sense of duty, stepped beyond the protective circle drawn by Phra Lak and was abducted by Tosakanth, who whisked her away to his palace in Lanka.

Upon discovering her disappearance, Phra Ram was devastated. His heart filled with sorrow and rage, but he vowed not to rest until he had freed Sida from the clutches of the demon king.

The Alliance with Hanuman

In his quest to rescue Sida, Phra Ram realized he could not undertake the journey to Lanka alone. It was during his search that he encountered Hanuman, the white monkey god, known for his strength, loyalty, and devotion. Hanuman, recognizing Phra Ram as an avatar of the god Vishnu, pledged his unwavering support to the cause.

Together with Hanuman’s army of monkeys, Phra Ram and Phra Lak began the arduous journey south, crossing rivers and mountains in their pursuit of Tosakanth. Hanuman, using his supernatural abilities, took great leaps across the seas to Lanka, where he scouted the demon’s palace and discovered Sida held captive in a garden. To give her hope, Hanuman revealed himself to Sida and assured her that Phra Ram was coming to save her.

The Battle for Lanka

The journey to Lanka was perilous, but with Hanuman’s help, Phra Ram and his army arrived at the shores of the demon kingdom. A great battle was imminent, one that would shake the heavens and the earth. Tosakanth, knowing the might of Phra Ram, summoned his vast army of demons to defend his kingdom.

For days, the skies were filled with the sound of battle—arrows flew like rain, and the earth trembled under the weight of warriors clashing in combat. Phra Ram and Phra Lak fought valiantly, their arrows imbued with divine power, while Hanuman and his monkey warriors used their immense strength to wreak havoc on the demon forces.

In the final confrontation, Phra Ram faced Tosakanth directly. The demon king, with his ten heads and twenty arms, was a formidable opponent, but Phra Ram, guided by his unwavering sense of righteousness, unleashed a powerful arrow gifted by the gods. This arrow struck Tosakanth in the heart, ending the reign of the demon king and bringing peace to Lanka.

The Return of Sida

With Tosakanth defeated, Phra Ram and his companions made their way to the demon’s palace, where Sida awaited her freedom. However, despite the joyous reunion, there was an air of uncertainty. Phra Ram, bound by the principles of his time, questioned Sida’s purity after having lived in the palace of a demon for so long.

To prove her innocence, Sida called upon the gods to witness her loyalty and devotion. She stepped into a raging fire, and the flames did not harm her—a sign from the heavens that she remained pure and untouched by Tosakanth. Satisfied, Phra Ram embraced Sida, and the two were reunited at last.

Together with Phra Lak and Hanuman, they returned to Ayodhya, where Phra Ram was crowned king, and peace reigned in the land. Their trials had come to an end, but the lessons learned—of duty, loyalty, and righteousness—would be remembered for generations to come.

Hanuman’s Continued Devotion

Though the war was over, the story of Hanuman did not end there. The white monkey god, forever loyal to Phra Ram, continued to serve his master long after the battle for Lanka had ended. His devotion knew no bounds, and he became a symbol of loyalty and strength for the people of Ayodhya.

In the years that followed, Hanuman’s name was sung in temples and stories across the land. His love for Phra Ram was immortalized in legend, and it was said that Hanuman would remain on earth as long as the story of Phra Ram was told.

The Aftermath of Victory

After returning to Ayodhya, Phra Ram’s reign brought prosperity and peace to the land. His people admired his justice, fairness, and deep connection to dharma, the cosmic law. Yet, despite his victorious return, doubts continued to plague the hearts of some within the kingdom about Sida’s time in Lanka.

Phra Ram, though troubled, knew the weight of kingship and the expectations of his people. He reluctantly decided to send Sida into exile once more, this time to live in the forests near a hermitage. Sida, heartbroken but understanding her husband’s burden as a king, accepted her fate and left Ayodhya.

In the years that followed, Sida gave birth to twin sons, Phra Ram’s children, who would one day return to Ayodhya to meet their father. Raised in the forests by their mother, these sons grew up hearing tales of their father’s bravery and virtue.

The Reunion of Phra Ram and His Sons

Years passed, and as destiny would have it, Phra Ram’s sons—Phra Lop and Phra Lam—returned to Ayodhya. Upon discovering their heritage, they were reunited with their father, bringing joy back to Phra Ram’s heart. Though separated from Sida, the presence of their children offered him a sense of closure and fulfillment.

Phra Ram, having completed his duties as king and reunited with his family, eventually returned to the heavens, leaving behind a legacy that would inspire countless generations.

Epilogue: The Legacy of the Ramakien

The story of the Ramakien is one of timeless themes—of love, loyalty, and the eternal battle between good and evil. Though it shares many elements with the Ramayana, the Thai version is unique in its cultural interpretation, deeply influencing Thai art, literature, and performance.

From the murals in temples to the grand masked dance dramas (khon) performed in the royal courts, the tale of Phra Ram, Sida, Phra Lak, Hanuman, and Tosakanth continues to live on, shaping the identity of Thailand and its people.

Through its depiction of duty, sacrifice, and righteousness, the Ramakien not only serves as a national epic but also as a moral compass for those who seek to live by its teachings. It is a story that, much like its characters, remains eternal, passed down through the ages, celebrated in both literature and performance, forever etched into the heart of Thai culture.