The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are two great epics of ancient India. Their stories are told and retold in many languages and art forms, and are a wonderful way to talk with children about courage, kindness, honesty and doing what is right.
The Ramayana
The Ramayana tells the story of Prince Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana: Rama’s exile, Sita’s capture by Ravana, the help of Hanuman, and Rama’s return to Ayodhya. It is traditionally attributed to the sage Valmiki.
The Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is a vast epic about two families of cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, and the great war between them. It includes the Bhagavad Gita, a conversation between the prince Arjuna and Krishna. It is traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa.
Telling the stories
- Ages 3–6: short episodes with clear heroes, such as Hanuman’s leap to Lanka.
- Ages 7–11: longer stories, picture books and comics; talk about choices characters make.
- Teens: explore difficult questions the epics raise about duty and fairness.
Questions to talk about
- Who showed courage in the story? How?
- Was there a moment when someone had to choose between two right things?
- What would you have done?
