The Ramayana Characters

With Brahma and Vishnu, Shiva is one of the gods that makes up the Hindu Trinity. He's referred to as the destroyer. Shiva is one of the gods who granted Ravana the boons that made him powerful, and he assists Brahma and Vishnu in orchestrating Ravana's later downfall.

Kamban was a medieval poet who composed a Tamil translation of the Ramayana. The narrator uses Kamban's version as source material to write this edition of the Ramayana, and refers to Kamban as "the poet" when describing how he refers to certain plot points or descriptions.

Vibishana is Ravana's youngest brother. He's the most logical and good-hearted of all Ravana's brothers and tries to convince Ravana to release Sita. When Ravana refuses and banishes him, Vibishana joins Rama's army and offers intelligence on Ravana's weapons and army that allow Rama to plan a successful attack.

Lakshmi is a Hindu goddess and the god Vishnu's wife. She incarnates as Sita when Vishnu incarnates as Rama.

Kausalya is Rama's mother and Dasaratha's wife. She's devoted to her husband and loves her fellow wives' sons as her own.

Sumithra is the mother of the twins Lakshmana and Sathrugna, and one of Dasaratha's wives.

Viswamithra is a sage, though he was once a powerful king. He teaches Rama about weaponry.

Angada is the son of Tara and Vali. He's an instrumental figure in Rama's fight against Ravana.

Thataka is the first demoness that Rama kills. She eats everything that crosses her path, and her evil spoils the land and turns it into a desert.

Sampathi is Jatayu's brother. He's disfigured because the sun god burnt him many years ago. When he meets Angada and Hanuman, he hears Rama's name and this restores Sampathi to his original, majestic form.

Tara is initially Sugreeva's wife, but becomes Vali's wife when Vali banishes Sugreeva. She has one son, Angada.

Sathrugna is Lakshmana's twin and the son of Dasaratha and Sumithra. He helps Bharatha rule in Rama's absence, and helps Rama enter into exile safely.

Sumithra is Dasaratha's third wife. She's the mother of the twins Lakshmana and Sathrugna.

Brahma created Ahalya to be the most beautiful and perfect woman. The god Indra tricked Ahalya into having sex with him, and as punishment, Ahalya's husband cursed her to turn to stone until she hears Rama's name.

Kara is a demon warrior who serves Ravana and protects Soorpanaka. Rama kills him.

Indrajit is one of Ravana's sons. He wholeheartedly supports his father.

Kumbakarna is one of Ravana's brothers. He's massive, violent, and a deep sleeper—it takes an entire army to wake him.

Matali is the driver of the god Indra's chariot. The gods send him to assist Rama in the battle with Ravana.