Reference Book. Pickford. Bhavabhuti's Maha-Vira-Charita

Comments: Bhavabhuti was a renowned playwright and poet of 8th-century India, and this play is his account of Rama's story. You can also read his play about Rama's later life: Uttara-Rama-Charita.

Title: Maha-Vira-Charita, The Adventures of the Great Hero Rama
Author: Bhavabhuti
Translator: John Pickford
Year: 1871

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Act 1: As this act opens, Sita is traveling to meet Visvamitra, and by the end of the act, Rama has won Sita's hand in marriage.

Act 2: This act begins the rakshasas learning about Rama's attack on the Tataka and her family. By the end of the act, Parashurama confronts Rama, enraged because Rama broke Shiva's bow.

Act 3: As this act begins, Dasaratha's priest Vashishtha tries to calm Parashurama, but by the end of the act, Rama is ready to face Parashurama in single combat.

Act 4: As this act begins, Surpanakha uses magical powers to possess Manthara, Kaikeyi's servant. By the end of the act, Rama goes into exile together with Sita and Lakshmana.

Act 5: As this act begins, Jatayu and Sampati discuss Rama's exile. By the end of the act, Ravana has kidnapped Sita and Rama has allied himself with Sugriva.

Act 6: As this act begins, Hanuman makes his journey to Lanka to find Sita, and by the end of the act Rama has slain Ravana.

Act 7: In this act, Sita passes her trial by fire, and Rama and Sita, with their allies, them return to Ayodhya.