If you wish to read the Ramayana the Jain way, please follow the Jain Ramayana (not the Hindu version). In Jain tradition the story appears mainly as:

• Paumacariya (Prakrit) by Acharya Vimalasuri
• Padma Purana/Padmapurana (Sanskrit) by Acharya Ravishena
• Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Charitra (Sanskrit) by Acharya Hemachandra, which includes the Rama cycle

How to start (simple path) 1) Read a short Jain summary of the Ramayana to get the flow. 2) Then look for Paumacariya (Vimalasuri) or Padmapurana (Ravishena) in a language you’re comfortable with (Hindi/English translations are available from Jain publishers and libraries). Guidance on where to find them: 3) For an organized Shwetambar presentation, read Hemachandra’s Trishashti where the Rama narrative is placed within Jain universal history.

Key Jain points to remember while reading

• Rama (Padma) is a Balabhadra (gentle hero), upholding ahimsa, and later accepts monkhood and attains moksha.
• Lakshmana is the one who kills Ravana; Rama does not kill.
• Characters are noble human beings within Jain cosmology (Baladeva–Vasudeva–Prativasudeva), not divine incarnations.
• The focus is on right conduct, non‑violence, renunciation, and karma.

Digambar and Shwetambar notes

• Core Jain storyline is the same in both: Lakshmana kills Ravana; Rama ultimately renounces and is liberated.
• Text focus differs: Digambar tradition commonly cites Vimalasuri’s Paumacariya and Ravishena’s Padmapurana; Shwetambar tradition often studies Hemachandra’s Trishashti for the Rama cycle.

A very simple 10‑day plan

• Days 1–2: Read a concise Jain summary and character roles.
• Days 3–6: Read Padmapurana/Paumacariya narrative portions (exile, Lanka episode, return).
• Days 7–8: Read the renunciation and moksha sections.
• Days 9–10: Revisit key Jain virtues (ahimsa, aparigraha, samyaktva) reflected in the story.

If you need quick refreshers on specific characters from the Jain perspective, see, for example, Ravana in Jain texts: