The Ramayana, an ancient Hindu Smriti or remembered text, has had a profound effect on Indian—and most of Southeast Asian—culture today.

Rama, the god depicted in the stories of the Ramayana, is one of the most popular and revered figures in India. He is understood to be a manifestation or avatar of the god Vishnu, the preserver. He lives with his good wife, Sita. The two are forced into exile in the forest, where Sita is kidnapped by the evil Ravanna. Most of the stories center around Rama's epic adventures as he battles to free his wife.

Most importantly, the text functions as a practical ethical guide to life. Its stories model how to do one's duty, or dharma, and also provide strategies for defeating evil.

For example, the stories uphold the importance of family, of the virtues of love and compassion, and of working to build a peaceful and prosperous society. People are taught how to properly function in their assigned role, be it as husband, wife, child, or member of society.

Further, the Ramayana has had a great cultural influence, spawning more than 300 derivative works based on its stories.

However, some, such as scholar Sheldon Pollack, have argued that the Ramayana's conservative values have been used by political reactionaries against Muslims and perceived social "deviants" because the text leads to the "othering" of outsiders.