Adhyatma Ramayana is the narration of Ramayana by Shiva to Parvati at her request. This is was in turn narrated by Brahma to Narada.
Parvathi asked Mahadeva to explain the principle behind the incarnation of Sri Rama. She was very specific, she asked for a detailed discourse on philosophical theories and their practice. She wanted to know the characteristics of the various paths of approaching the divine, i.e. the devotional, meditative, yogic, and karmic paths leading to ultimate liberation. She also wanted to know the best ways for people to live as a society and the ideal conduct of an individual in society.
Thus, the philosophical orientation of Adhyatma Ramayana is clear from the start of the narration itself.

Picture Credit: Deepu, Guruvayoor Devaswom Mural Institute

Shiva tells Parvati that she is the first one to have asked such a question about Ramayana. Shiva says that he is also a devotee of Sri Rama; and that Rama himself narrated a shorter version of Ramayana to him. “Adhyatma” signals that those who study this Ramayana would get spiritually enlightened.

Picture Credit: J. Martin & Manoj Publications

After the mighty war and the coronation in Ayodhya, Sri Rama points out Hanumanji to Sita. He says that Hanumanji as a devotee and yogi is fully prepared to absorb the divine secret behind their appearance in this world. He requests Sita to reveal the secret to Hanumanji.
This underscores that both Rama and Sita, though in human avatar, are conscious of their divinity.

Picture Credit. Dr. K.U. Krishnakumar and Guruvayoor Devaswom Board

Sita tells Hanumanji that the ultimate reality is the Brahman, the Sat-Chit-Ananda, i.e., existence-consciousness-bliss. It has no beginning and hence no end. Sri Rama is none other than that ultimate reality, now appearing before us in various roles. I am the Prakruti, the creator of everything; but I require the presence of Lord Rama, the ultimate reality to manifest my ability. People, because of their ignorance relate created things as part of the Lord Himself.
All of Rama’s actions were performed by Sita herself as the Prakruti, or as Maya Devi. Rama also tells Hanumanji that Paramatma is the ultimate reality which is real, and the appearances are Jivatmas. By the grace of one's gurus, and by deep-rooted devotion, one gets a revelation on the oneness of jivatma and Paramatma. This revelation is the end of ignorance and the worldly bondage of jivatma.
Adhyatma Rayana is considered as a text of Advaita.

Picture Credit. Dr. K.U. Krishnakumar and Guruvayoor Devaswom Board

Dasaratha was a perfect and just king; and a victorious warrior. He was given the title Dasaratha because he was able to drive ten horse-chariots simultaneously on the battlefield, in different directions. Though he had three queens, he had no sons to carry on his legacy. Sumanthra was his minister. Sage Vasistha advised Dasaratha to 'Puthrakameshti' Yajna. It was conducted by Rishya Shringa, son of the famous reclusive sage Vibhandaka. Agni appeared with a golden vessel full of payasam as a symbol of blessings from the Gods.

Picture Credit. Dr. K.U. Krishnakumar and Guruvayoor Devaswom Board

Kausalya was a pious, devoted woman, and she could recognize the divine nature of the baby as soon she laid eyes on him. She was beyond belief and went into a rapture of devotion and bliss. She started chanting a hymn extolling the virtues of Lord Vishnu. The Lord blessed her by showing His form fully decked with four arms carrying the Conch, the Mace, the Flower, and the Discus. Once the chanting of the celestial hymn was completed, she wanted to return to her motherly manner and asked the Lord to come back to the form of her beloved baby.

Picture Credit: J. Martin & Manoj Publications

Vasishta names the babies as Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Each name conveyed what they would be come. Rama indicates that that all the worlds are attracted to him. Bharata signifies that he would be a great ruler. Lakshmana indicates that he would be an ideal model for others to emulate. Shatrughna indicates his potential bravery and the ability to destroy enemies within and without. Often understood as without enemies.

Picture Credit: J. Martin & Manoj Publications

Parvati asks Shiva about the apparent contradiction in Rama’s awareness about his own divinity. Parvati asked, if Rama was aware about his own divinity, why did he have the normal human feeling of sorrow at the separation from Sita. On the other hand, if he did not know his own nature because of Maya and had to be told, why is he worshipped as divine? Parvati was alluding to Brahma revealing to Rama his divine nature in Valmiki Ramayana’s Yuddha Kanda.

Establishing Rama’s divinity, his self-awareness about his own divinity and explaining the events of Ramayana to align with this is one of the core narratives of Adhyatma Ramayana.

Source: Adhyatma Ramayana by Swami Tapasyananda

Picture is Rama, Sita and Lakhshmana at BITS Goa campus. Picture Credit. S. R. Ramanujam