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{{Short description|National epic of Thailand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
[[File:WatPhraKeaw Ramayana Chariot.JPG|thumb|300px|[[Hanuman]] on his chariot, a scene from the ''Ramakien'' in [[Wat Phra Kaew]], [[Bangkok]].]]
[[File:Bangkok Großer Palast 08.jpg|thumb|300px|Part of the mural in the [[Wat Phra Kaew|Temple of the Emerald Buddha]]]]
{{Culture of Thailand}}
{{Hinduism}}
{{Buddhism}}

The '''{{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}}''' ({{langx|th|รามเกียรติ์}}, {{RTGS|''Rammakian''}}, {{IPA|th|rāːm.mā.kīa̯n|pron}}; {{lit|Glory of Rama}}; sometimes also spelled {{Transliteration|th|Ramakian}}) is one of [[Thailand]]'s [[national epic]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sanchez|first=Jane|title=History and Thailand Literature|url=https://www.academia.edu/18062983|language=en}}</ref> It is a Thai version of the ancient Indian epic ''[[Ramayana]]'', and an important part of the [[Thai literature|Thai literary]] canon.

[[King Rama VI]] was the first person to shed light first on the ''Ramayana'' studies in Thailand, by tracing the sources of the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}}, comparing it with the Sanskrit ''[[Valmiki Ramayana]]''. He found that the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} was influenced by three sources: the [[Valmiki]]'s Ramayana, the ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'', and [[Hanuman|''Hanuman Nataka'']] .<ref name=ramak1>Lipi Ghosh, 2017, [https://books.google.com/books?id=GEwzDwAAQBAJ&dq=Ramakien+derived+from+ramayana&pg=PA157 India-Thailand Cultural Interactions: Glimpses from the Past to Present], [[Springer Publishing]], pp. 157</ref> A number of versions of the epic were lost in [[Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767)|the destruction]] of [[Ayutthaya (city)|Ayutthaya]] in 1767. Three versions currently exist, one of which was prepared in 1797 under the supervision of (and partly written by) King [[Rama I]]. His son, [[Buddha Loetla Nabhalai|Rama II]], rewrote some parts of his father's version for [[Thai dance#Khon|''khon'']] drama. The work has had an important influence on [[Thai literature]], art and drama (both the ''[[khon]]'' and [[Nang drama|''nang'']] dramas being derived from it).

While the main story is similar to that of the ''[[Dasaratha Jataka]]'', differences in some tales still prevail. Many other aspects were transposed into a Thai context, such as the clothes, weapons, topography, and elements of nature, which are described as being Thai in style. As [[Thailand]] is considered a [[Theravada]] [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] society, the Buddhist history latent in the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} serves to provide Thai legends with a [[creation myth]], as well as representations of various spirits which complement beliefs derived from Thai animism.

A painted representation of the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} is displayed at [[Bangkok]]'s [[Wat Phra Kaew|Temple of Emerald Buddha]], and many of the statues there depict characters from it.
{{Infobox religious text
| name            = Ramakien
| original_title  = รามเกียรติ์
| original_lang   = th
| religion        = Hinduism
| author          = Various (notably King Rama I)
| language        = Thai
| country         = Thailand
| chapters        = 
| period          = 18th century (standard version)
}}

==Background==
The [[Ramayana]]  came to [[Southeast Asia]] by means of Buddhist missionaries, Indian traders, and scholars who traded with [[Khmer language|Khmer]] kingdoms (such as [[Kingdom of Funan|Funan]] and [[Angkor]]) and [[Srivijaya]], with whom the Indians shared close economic and cultural ties.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The characters {{!}} Phralak Phralam|url=http://phralakphralam.com/phralak_phralam_en/le-phralak-phralam/les-personnages/|access-date=2021-03-29|website=phralakphralam.com}}</ref> The Thai adopted from the [[Khmer people]] components of Indianized culture such as the ''[[Ramayana]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thailand - Mon-Khmer civilizations. (n.d.)|website=Britannica|access-date= December 22, 2021|url= https://www.britannica.com/place/Thailand/Mon-Khmer-civilizations|quote= The Tai borrowed from the Khmer many elements of Indianized culture, including royal ceremonies, customs followed at the court, and especially the Indian epic Ramayana, which influenced not only literature but also classical dance. Even in modern Thai culture, the legacy of the Indianized culture of Angkor is still evident.}}</ref>

In the late first millennium, the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} epic (written as {{Transliteration|th|Ramkerti}}, {{Lang|th|รามเกียรติ์}} but read as {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}}) was adopted by the Thai people. The oldest recordings of the early [[Sukhothai kingdom]], dating from the 13th century, include stories from the [[Jataka tales|Jataka legends]]. The history of the legends was told in the shade theater (Thai: {{Lang|th|หนัง}}, {{Transliteration|th|Nang}}), a [[wayang|shadow-puppet show]] in a style adopted from [[Indonesia]], in which the characters were portrayed by leather dolls manipulated to cast shadows on a nearby screen as the audience watched from the other side.

The Thai version was first written down in the 18th century, during the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom]], following the demise of the Sukhothai government. Most editions, however, were lost when the city of Ayutthaya was destroyed by armies from Burma (modern [[Myanmar]]) in the year 1767.

The version recognized today was compiled in the [[Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)|Kingdom of Siam]] under the supervision of King Rama I (1726–1809), the founder of the [[Chakri dynasty]], which still maintains the throne of Thailand. Between the years of 1799 and 1807, Rama I supervised this well-known recension and even wrote parts of it. It was also under his reign that construction began on the [[Grand Palace|Thai Grand Palace]] in [[Bangkok]], which includes the grounds of the [[Wat Phra Kaew]], enshrining the [[Emerald Buddha]]. The walls of the Wat Phra Kaew are lavishly decorated with paintings representing parts of the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}}.

[[Rama II]] (1766–1824) further adapted his father's edition of the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} for ''[[khon]]'' drama, a form of theater performed by non-speaking Thai dancers in elaborate costumes and masks. Narrations from the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} were read by a chorus to one side of the stage. This version differs slightly from the one compiled by Rama I, giving an expanded role to [[Hanuman]], the god-king of the apes, and adding a [[happy ending]].

Since its introduction to the Thai people, the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} has become a firm component of culture. The {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} of Rama I is considered a masterpiece of [[Thai literature]], and is still read and taught in the country's schools.

In 1989, [[Satyavrat Shastri]] translated the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} into a [[Sanskrit]] epic poem (''[[mahakavya]]'') named {{Transliteration|th|Ramakirtimahakavyam}}, in 25 {{Transliteration|th|sarga}}s ([[canto]]s) and about 1,200 stanzas in 14 metres. This work won eleven national and international awards.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sanskrits-first-jnanpith-winner-is-a-poet-by-instinct/410480/0 Sanskrit’s first Jnanpith winner is a 'poet by instinct']</ref>

==Content==
The tales of the {{Transliteration|th|Ramakien}} are similar to those of the [[Ramayana]], though transferred to the topography and culture of Ayutthaya, where the [[Avatar]] of Phra Narai (the Thai incarnation of [[Vishnu]], who is also known as [[Narayana, Govinda, Vasudeva]]) is reborn as Phra Ram.

===Main figures===

==== Divine beings ====
* [[Narayana|Phra Narai]]/[[Vishnu|Witsanu]]{{Spaced en dash}}Vishnu/Narayana
* [[Shiva|Phra Isuan]]{{Spaced en dash}}Shiva (who is also known by the epithet [[Ishvara]])
* [[Brahma|Phra Phrom]]{{Spaced en dash}}Brahma/Sahampati/Byanma
* [[Uma (goddess)|Phra Uma-thewi]]{{Spaced en dash}}consort of Phra Isuan (Parvati/Uma)
* [[Lakshmi|Phra Laksami]]{{Spaced en dash}}Lakshmi, the consort of [[Narayana|Narai]]
* [[Indra|Phra In]] (Indra){{Spaced en dash}}king of {{Transliteration|th|thevadas}} ([[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]]) – lesser celestial deities. Divine father of [[Vali (Ramayana)|Phali]] (Vali) 
* [[Malyavan|Mali Warat]] ([[Malyavan]]){{Spaced en dash}}god of justice.  Maternal grandfather of [[Ravana|Thotsakan]] (Ravana) 
* [[Surya|Phra Athit]] (Aditya/[[Surya]]){{Spaced en dash}}the solar deity. Divine father of [[Sugriva|Sukhrip]] (Sugriva)
* [[Vayu|Phra Phai]] (Vayu){{Spaced en dash}}the wind deity.  Father of [[Hanuman]].
* [[Vishvakarman|Phra Witsawakam/Witsanukam]] ({{Transliteration|th|Vishvakarma}}){{Spaced en dash}}the artisan god, responsible for rebuilding [[Lanka]] after [[Hanuman]] burned it down and creator of [[Kishkindha|Khitkhin]] (Kishkindha) in Ramayana and [[Dvārakā|Dvaraka]] (Capital of Krishna's Kingdom) in the Mahabharata.

====Human====
* [[Rama|Phra Ram]]{{Spaced en dash}}the Bodhisatta, son of the king [[Dasaratha|Thotsarot]] (Dasharatha) of [[Ayodhya|Ayutthaya]] and the incarnation of [[Narayana|Phra Narai]].
* [[Sita|Nang Sida]]{{Spaced en dash}}(Sita) wife of [[Rama|Phra Ram]], who embodies purity and fidelity. Incarnation of [[Lakshmi]].
* [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Phra Phrot]] (Bharata), [[Lakshmana|Phra Lak]] (Lakshmana) and [[Shatrughna|Phra Satarut]] (Shatrughna){{Spaced en dash}} Younger half-brothers of [[Rama|Phra Ram]], who represent the reincarnated possessions of [[Narayana|Phra Narai]].
* [[Dasaratha|Thotsarot]]{{Spaced en dash}}(Dasharatha) is often called Thao [[Dasaratha|Thotsarot]]. King of [[Ayodhya|Ayutthaya]] and father of [[Rama|Phra Ram]] and his brothers.
* [[Kausalya|Nang Kaosuriya (Kausalya)]]{{Spaced en dash}}one of the three wives of [[Dasaratha|Thotsarot]], mother of [[Rama|Phra Ram]].
* [[Kaikeyi|Nang Kaiyakesi (Kaikeyi)]]{{Spaced en dash}}one of the three wives of [[Dasaratha|Thotsarot]], mother of [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Phra Phrot]].
* [[Sumitra|Nang Samutthewi (Sumitra)]]{{Spaced en dash}}one of the three wives of [[Dasaratha|Thotsarot]], mother of [[Lakshman|Phra Lak]] and [[Shatrughna|Phra Satarut]].

====Allies of Phra Ram====
* [[Hanuman]]{{Spaced en dash}}god-king of the apes, who supported [[Rama|Phra Ram]] and acted as his [[vanara]] general.
* [[Vali (Ramayana)|Phali Thirat (Vali)]]{{Spaced en dash}}king of [[Kishkindha|Khitkhin (Kishkindha)]], elder brother of [[Sugriva|Sukhrip]] and uncle of [[Hanuman]].
* [[Sugriva|Sukhrip (Sugriva)]]{{Spaced en dash}}viceroy of [[Kishkindha|Kitkin]], younger brother of [[Vali (Ramayana)|Phali]] and uncle of [[Hanuman]].
* [[Angada|Ongkhot]] ([[Angada]]){{Spaced en dash}}ape-prince and son of the [[Vali (Ramayana)|Pali Thirat]] and [[Tara (Ramayana)|NanMontho(Devi Tara)]], cousin of [[Hanuman]].
* [[Vibhishana|Phiphek (Vibhishana)]]{{Spaced en dash}}estranged brother of [[Ravana|Thotsakan]].  He is an excellent astrologist and provided valuable information to [[Rama|Phra Ram]] in defeating [[Ravana|Thotsakan]].
* [[Jambavan|Chomphuphan (Jambavan)]]{{Spaced en dash}}Bear-prince and adopted son of [[Vali (Ramayana)|Phali]], an expert in the healing arts and acted as the troop's medic.

====Enemies of Phra Ram====
* [[Ravana|Thotsakan (Ravana)]] (from {{Transliteration|th|dashakantha}}){{Spaced en dash}}king of the rakshasas of [[Lanka]] and strongest of [[Rama|Phra Ram]]'s adversaries. Thotsakan has ten faces, twenty arms, and possesses a myriad of weapons.
* [[Indrajit|Intharachit (Indrajit)]]{{Spaced en dash}}a son of [[Ravana|Thotsakan]]. [[Rama|Phra Ram]]'s second most powerful adversary. Intharachit uses his bow more than any other weapon. He once fired arrows (Nagabat Arrows), which turned into [[Nāga|Nagas]] (or snakes) in mid-air and rained down on [[Rama|Phra Ram]]'s army. He once had a blessing from the Phra Isuan that he shall not die on land but in the air, and if his severed head were to touch the ground, it will bring down great destruction.
* [[Kumbhakarna|Kumphakan (Kumbhakarna)]]{{Spaced en dash}} of [[Ravana|Thotsakan]] and commander of demonic forces.
* [[Mahiravana|Maiyarap (Mahiravana)]]{{Spaced en dash}}king of the Underworld, embodied as a donkey.
* [[Khara (Ramayana)|Khon (Khara)]], [[Dushan (Ramayana)|Thut (Dushana)]] and [[Trishira|Trisian (Trishira)]]{{Spaced en dash}}younger brothers of [[Ravana|Thotsakan]], and the first three to be killed by [[Rama|Phra Ram]], in that order.

=== Plot ===
The text can be split into three logical parts: the first one dealing with the origins of the main characters, the second depicting the dramatic events including the fall of Thotsakan, and the final part describing what happened afterwards.

==== Part One ====
The first part begins with the story of Phra Narai in the form of a boar vanquishing the demon [[Hiranyaksha]]. This is followed by an account of the origins of the ancestors of Thotsakan. According to Ramakien, Phra Isuan grants his servant [[Bhasmasura|Nonthok (Bhasmasura)]] a boon that enables him to change his finger into a diamond and destroy anyone at whom he points it. As Nonthok begins to abuse this power, Phra Narai assumes the form of a charming woman who dances in front of Nonthok, who tries to imitate the movement of her hands. At one moment, he points the diamond finger towards himself and instantly dies. Nonthok is later reborn as Thotsakan. He also has four brothers and a sister, as well as half-siblings. Thotsakan first marries [[Mandodari|Kala Akhi (Mandodari)]], the daughter of [[Mayasura|Kala Nakha (Mayasura)]] of the underworld, and later receives Nang Montho as a gift from Phra Isuan. Thotsakan and Kala Akhi have a son with the first name [[Indrajit|Ronapak (Meghanada)]]; after his victory over Indra, he is called Intharachit(Winner of Indra).

The text then explains the origins of the [[simian]] characters Phali and Sukhrip. They are born to Kala [[Añjanā|Acana (Anjana)]], the wife of king [[Kesari (Ramayana)|Khodam (Kesari)]], as a result of her adultery with Phra In and Phra Athit. When King Khodam immerses them in a lake to test their legitimacy, they turn into monkeys and vanish into the forest. Phra Isuan grants Phali a magic trident, which will transfer to Phali half the strength of anyone fighting him. Sukhrip is rewarded with a beautiful young maiden Dara (Tara), but Phali takes her for himself. Later, Phali also seizes Thotsakan's consort Nang Montho, and they have a son named Ongkhot before she is returned to Thotsakan. Finally, Phali banishes Sukhrip to the forest where he meets Hanuman.

Hanuman is said to be born after Phra Isuan places his celestial weapons in the mouth of Sawaha, the daughter of Kala Acana. Hanuman at first stays with Phali and Sukhrip, but later decides to join Sukhrip in his banishment in the forest.

Rama, known in the Ramakien as Phra Ram, has ancestors tracing back to Phra Narai through King Thotsarot. Phra Ram himself is a reincarnation of Phra Narai, and his brothers Phra Lak, Phra Phrot and Phra Satarut are manifestations of Phra Narai's emblems: the serpent, the discus, and the mace, respectively. Phra Ram's consort Nang Sida is a reincarnation of Phra Narai's consort Laksami, but she is born as the daughter of Thotsakan in Lanka and adopted by king [[Janaka|Chonok (Janaka)]] of [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]].

==== Part Two ====
Part two deals with the main drama of the story. Phra Ram and Nang Sida fall in love at first sight before an archery contest. A hunchback named [[Manthara|Kucci]] (Manthara) instigates the queen to ask for the banishment of Phra Ram. He sets off to live in the forest with Nang Sida and his brother Phra Lak, where they meet [[Shurpanakha|Sammanakha (Surpanakha)]] who took on the form of a beautiful maiden. She tries to seduce the two brothers, but they resist and punish her. As revenge, Thotsakan abducts Nang Sida to his palace in Lanka.

Phra Ram and Phra Lak meet Hanuman, Sukhrip, and another Vanara, Chomphuphan, and ask them to help find Nang Sida. When Hanuman locates Nang Sida in Lanka, he identifies himself by showing her ring and kerchief and retelling the secret of her first meeting with Phra Ram. Hanuman is then caught by Thotsakan's son Intharachit but escapes while setting Lanka on fire. On returning to Phra Ram, Hanuman helps build a causeway with the help of Nal and Nil to connecting Lanka with mainland, and the war with Thotsakan begins. After a lot of fighting and attempts of treachery by Thotsakan's allies, Phra Ram manages to kill Thotsakan and Intharachit and free Nang Sida. After she passes a fire ordeal to test her faithfulness, Phra Ram takes her with him to Ayutthaya and grants various parts of his kingdom to his allies.

==== Part three ====
After Nang Sida draws a picture of Thotsakan on a slate, Phra Ram orders Phra Lak to take her to the forest and kill her. Instead of doing as commanded, he brings to Phra Ram the heart of a doe to trick him into believing that Nang Sida is dead. In the forest, Nang Sida finds refuge with a hermit named Wachamarik Valmiki, and she gives birth to two sons: [[Kusha (Ramayana)|Phra Monkut (Kusha)]] and [[Lava (Ramayana)|Phra Loph (Lava)]]. Phra Ram decides to take her back to Ayutthaya, but she refuses and disappears into the Underworld. Finally, Phra Isuan brings Phra Ram and Nang Sida together again.<ref>Singaravelu, S. (1982). The Rama story in the Thai cultural tradition. Bangkok: Siam Society.
</ref>

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Thai literature]]
*[[Hikayat Seri Rama]]
*[[Kakawin Ramayana]]
*[[Phra Lak Phra Ram]]
*[[Ramayana]]
*[[Versions of Ramayana]]
*[[Reamker]]
*[[Yama Zatdaw]]
*[[Lakhon nok]]
*[[Khon]]
*[[Nang yai]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Thai Ramayana (abridged) as written by King Rama I, {{ISBN|974-7390-18-3}}
*The story of Ramakian&nbsp;– From the Mural Paintings along the Galleries of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, {{ISBN|974-7588-35-8}}
*John Cadet, The Ramakien, illustrated with the bas-reliefs of Wat Phra Jetubon, Bangkok, {{ISBN|9-7489-3485-3}}

==External links==
*[http://thailex.info/THAILEX/THAILEXENG/LEXICON/List%20of%20characters%20from%20the%20Ramakien.htm NAMELIST AND PICTURES OF RAMAKIEN CHARACTERS]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090814193402/http://www.seasite.niu.edu:85/Thai/literature/ramakian/text.htm English and Thai text of the work, with audio reading in Thai]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cixspWFjbUM&list=PLfp3OAuMmnMn3dSQn8ZrW_1hbhhmno-bE A Ramakian Tale&nbsp;– Thai Ramakien Myth (Youtube audio book series)]
*[https://archive.org/details/ramakirtimahakavyasatyavratshastri Ramakirti Mahakavya - by Satya Vray Shastri (translation into English, Sanskrit and Kannada)] 

{{HinduMythology|state=collapsed}}
{{National epic poems}}
{{Theatre}}
{{Ramayana}}

[[Category:Epic poems in Thai]]
[[Category:Works based on the Ramayana]]
[[Category:National symbols of Thailand]]