Ramayana

The Ramayana Family Tree

The five families of the Ramayana: Ayodhya, Mithila, the next generation, Lanka and Kishkindha. Tap any picture to read that person’s story.

How to read this tree

  • Each box shows a couple (husband and wife), or a single parent, and below it the children born to them.
  • People with a picture have their own page — tap to open it.
  • A gold note explains special births, such as Sita, who was found in the earth.

Side

  • Rama’s side
  • Ravana’s side
  • Did not fight
  1. 1

    Family 1

    King Dasharatha’s sons

    Parents

    Illustration of King Dasharatha, an old king with a white beard, a golden crown and royal robes, seated on his throne in AyodhyaDasharathaIllustration of Queen Kaushalya, a gentle older queen in a white and gold sari, holding a small lamp and raising her hand in blessingKaushalya

    Born after the putrakameshti yajna, from the divine payasa

    Children

    Illustration of Rama, a dark-complexioned young prince with long arms, a calm smile and a golden crown, holding a great bow against a green forest backgroundRama

    Parents

    Illustration of King Dasharatha, an old king with a white beard, a golden crown and royal robes, seated on his throne in AyodhyaDasharathaIllustration of Queen Kaikeyi, a proud young queen in rich pink and gold robes, seated in a palace chamber with her jewels laid asideKaikeyi

    Born after the putrakameshti yajna, from the divine payasa

    Children

    Bharata in bark clothes and matted hair, seated humbly beside a throne on which Rama’s golden sandals rest under a royal umbrella.Bharata

    Parents

    Illustration of King Dasharatha, an old king with a white beard, a golden crown and royal robes, seated on his throne in AyodhyaDasharathaIllustration of Queen Sumitra, a calm queen in a yellow and gold sari, placing her hand on the head of the young Lakshmana in blessingSumitra

    Born after the putrakameshti yajna, from the divine payasa

    Children

    Illustration of Lakshmana, a fair young warrior prince with a bow and a quiver of arrows, standing alert on guard before a leaf hut in the forestLakshmanaShatrughna, a young prince in royal dress, standing at a city gate on the bank of the Yamuna with a shining divine arrow fitted to his bow.Shatrughna
  2. 2

    Family 2

    King Janaka’s family

    Parents

    Illustration of King Janaka, a dignified king with a grey beard, a golden crown and green robes, standing beside the great bow of ShivaJanakaJanaka’s queen

    Sita was found by Janaka in the earth while ploughing; Urmila is the daughter of Janaka and his queen

    Children

    Illustration of Sita, a graceful young woman in a pink and gold sari with flowers in her hair, holding a lotus beside a furrow in a green fieldSitaUrmila

    Parents

    Kushadhvaja (Janaka’s brother)

    Children

    MandaviShrutakirti
  3. 3

    Family 3

    The next generation

    Parents

    Illustration of Rama, a dark-complexioned young prince with long arms, a calm smile and a golden crown, holding a great bow against a green forest backgroundRamaIllustration of Sita, a graceful young woman in a pink and gold sari with flowers in her hair, holding a lotus beside a furrow in a green fieldSita

    Children

    The twin boys Lava and Kusha, dressed as young hermits, singing with a stringed instrument before King Rama in a great sacrificial hall.Lava and Kusha

    Parents

    Illustration of Lakshmana, a fair young warrior prince with a bow and a quiver of arrows, standing alert on guard before a leaf hut in the forestLakshmanaUrmila

    Children

    Angada and Chandraketu

    Parents

    Bharata in bark clothes and matted hair, seated humbly beside a throne on which Rama’s golden sandals rest under a royal umbrella.BharataMandavi

    Children

    Taksha and Pushkala

    Parents

    Shatrughna, a young prince in royal dress, standing at a city gate on the bank of the Yamuna with a shining divine arrow fitted to his bow.ShatrughnaShrutakirti

    Children

    Subahu and Shatrughati
  4. 4

    Family 4

    Ravana’s family

    Parents

    Sage VishravaKaikasi

    Children

    Illustration of Ravana, a powerful king with ten crowned heads and many arms, in dark red and gold royal robes, holding a sword before the golden towers of LankaRavanaIllustration of Kumbhakarna, a gigantic rakshasa warrior with a dark body, broad shoulders and a crown, holding a huge iron spear beside the walls of LankaKumbhakarnaIllustration of Vibhishana, a calm rakshasa prince in blue and white robes with a gentle face, folding his hands in respect beside the oceanVibhishanaIllustration of Shurpanakha, a tall rakshasa woman in green and grey clothes with long nails and wild hair, walking through the Dandaka forestShurpanakha

    Parents

    Illustration of Ravana, a powerful king with ten crowned heads and many arms, in dark red and gold royal robes, holding a sword before the golden towers of LankaRavanaIllustration of Queen Mandodari, a graceful woman in a violet and gold sari with fine jewellery, standing sadly in a palace hall of LankaMandodari

    Children

    Illustration of Indrajit, a young rakshasa prince in dark armour with a bow, riding a chariot through storm clouds lit by lightningIndrajit (Meghanada)
  5. 5

    Family 5

    The vanaras of Kishkindha

    Parents

    Kesari (vanara chief)Anjana

    Born by the blessing of Vayu, the wind god

    Children

    Illustration of Hanuman, a strong vanara with a golden face and a gentle, devoted expression, kneeling with folded hands and Rama’s ring in his palmHanuman

    Parents

    Riksharaja (vanara king)

    Vali was born of Indra and Sugriva of Surya, as Valmiki tells

    Children

    Illustration of Vali, a powerful vanara king with a golden garland on his chest, standing proudly at the gate of KishkindhaValiIllustration of Sugriva, a golden-brown vanara king wearing a crown and a garland, standing beside a sacred fire with folded handsSugriva

    Parents

    Illustration of Vali, a powerful vanara king with a golden garland on his chest, standing proudly at the gate of KishkindhaValiIllustration of Queen Tara, a graceful vanara queen in royal ornaments, standing at the palace door of Kishkindha with a calm, thoughtful faceTara

    Children

    Illustration of Angada, a young vanara prince with golden armlets, standing fearlessly in Ravana’s court with one hand raised as he delivers Rama’s messageAngada

Who fought for whom?

The war of Lanka was fought between Rama, with Sugriva’s vanara army, and Ravana’s rakshasa army. It even divided Ravana’s own brothers: Vibhishana left Lanka to stand with dharma and Rama, while Kumbhakarna told Ravana he was wrong yet still fought for him.

Born after the putrakameshti yajna, from the divine payasa

King Dasharatha had no children for many years. The sages performed the putrakameshti yajna, and a divine being rose from the fire with a vessel of payasa. The king gave half to Kaushalya, a share to Kaikeyi and two shares to Sumitra, which is why Sumitra had two sons, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

Retold from the Ramayana of Sage Valmiki. Later Ramayanas and regional traditions tell some details differently. Illustrations are artistic.