Move over Superman, Rama, superhero of the ancient Hindu epic the Ramayana is here! Admired for his deeds,worshipped for his wonders, Rama is definitely in the Top Ten List of the Hindu Hero Pantheon. A 'dharma-dedicated-deity' and a man for all who admire virtue.

Vishnu remixed, or to put it in another way, Vishnu reincarnated, Rama is thought to be the embodiment of the great god Vishnu, when he made good on the promise, mentioned above, to return someday, take on human form, and smack down the bad seed Ravana, King of Lanka.

In this adventure he was accompanied by the lovely Lakshmi, who re-invents herself by taking on the human form of Sita, earthly wife to Rama, as she is equally heavenly consort of Vishnu.

CUT TO: Ramayana the Epic. A young hero is discovered in a feat of accidental physical strength of god-like powers. Rama, the next-in-line for the throne of his father Dasaratha, has a 'sword-in-the-stone' moment ala young King Arthur, when he unintentionally breaks the bow of the god Shiva, thus proving his prowess to all who witness it. This was enough to put him over the top as far as far as his campaign to win the hand of the fair Sita, and so the two are joined in matrimony ASAP.

But something isn't quite kosher at his father's court, and one of the concubines of King Dasaratha wiles her way into his heart and in a bid to have her own son enthroned on the throne, so to speak, convinces the great King to toss Rama out of the country.

Dasaratha, in a very unkingly gesture accedes to her wishes and so Rama is out and Bharata is in. Admirers of Rama point out that it is just another evidence of his hero-status that he willingly accepts his father's unfavour--because it is the 'dharmic' thing to do and only a true hero would put his obligation to dharma above his personal desires.

Drawn into a war by the dastardly Ravana who has heisted Sita, Rama is forced to fight and defeat that King of Lanka, but in doing so he again shows his stripes and does the 'right thing' the 'dharma thing' and offers Ravana a choice. Like all choices, it only has two options: to live by returning Sita unharmed, or to keep her and go under the knife--terminally.

Like all evil doers, Ravana has an overblown self-image and thinks he can one-up Rama, so he chooses to go to the mat and fight it out. He is pounded into the ground for his efforts, but not happily by Rama, who insists that the compassionate thing to do afterwords is give the late-king a proper cremation, once more showing he has more than just muscles and good looks--he's also got a real feel for 'doing the right thing'.

Perhaps a little suspicious that Ravana may have had some 'play time' with his wife when she was in his power, Rama suggests to Sita that she walk through fire--something that only faithful women can do without going up in smoke.

Though affronted by his mistrust of her celibacy during her incarceration, Sita agrees and easily passes through the flames without so much as a singed sari. Having proven her fidelity, Rama admits he never really doubted it, but was obligated to put her through trial-by-fire to show his allegiance to the principle of doing right at all times.

Again, the mark of a true blue Hindu hero.

They return to Dasaratha's kingdom to great public acclaim, and Rama is coronated to the office into which he was born. Having undergone his trials and never flagged in his obligation to dharma, he is able to initiate a utopian age '-- the age of peace, prosperity and propriety.

The memory of Ravana's flouncing at the hands of our hero, is celebrated every year at the festival of Vijayadashami, which spans ten days of dramatic recitations of the great epic battle and so that no one is confused for a moment about the outcome of that confrontation between good and evil, a straw-man representing Ravana is burnt in effigy.

Likewise another festival of fireworks, known as the Festival of Lights, recounts Rama's return after the war to his kingly throne. The five-day celebration is a true street party for all Hindus who revere his name.