Ramayana

The Ramayana is so rich and layered — I wonder how the author chose which stories to focus on and which to leave out. Was it driven by tradition, storytelling flow, or personal choice?

The gods and demons play such a direct role in the story — it made me wonder if the divine presence was meant to be a metaphor or a literal force. How did others interpret this aspect?

This epic has influenced countless stories and cultures. I'm curious whether it's the universal themes, the storytelling style, or something else that keeps it so relevant?