The Epic is traditionally divided into several major kandas or books, that deal chronologically with the major events in the life of Rama—The Bala Kanda describes the birth of Rama, his childhood and marriage to Sita. The Ayodhya Kanda describes the preparations for Rama's coronation and his exile into the forest. The third part, Aranya Kanda, describes the forest life of Rama and the kidnapping of Sita by the demon king Ravana. The fourth book, Kishkindha Kanda, describes the meeting of Hanuman with Rama, the destruction of the vanara king Vali and the coronation of his younger brother Sugriva to the throne of the kingdom of Kishkindha. The fifth book is Sundara Kanda, which narrates the heroism of Hanuman, his flight to Lanka and meeting with Sita. The sixth book, Yuddha Kanda, describes the battle between Rama's and Ravana's armies. The last book, Uttara Kanda, describes the birth of Lava and Kusha to Sita, their coronation to the throne of Ayodhya, and Rama's final departure from the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Valmiki is the author of the epic Ramayana, based on the attribution in the text of the epic itself. He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which means First Poet, since he discovered the first verse, which set the base and defined the form to Sanskrit poetry. The Yoga Vasistha is attributed to him. A religious movement called Valmikism is based on Valmiki's teachings as presented in the Ramayana and the Yoga Vasistha.
Author(s): Valmiki; trans. Romesh C. Dutt
Language: English
Tags: hindu, hinduism, epic, itihasa, simple, english, verse, poetic, chronicle, ramayan, raam, ram
A Note on the Late Romesh C. Dutt
Bibliography
Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India
Book I. Sita-Swayamvara (The Bridal of Sita)
I. Ayodhya, the Righteous City
II. Mithila, and the Breaking of the Bow
III. The Embassy to Ayodhya
IV. Meeting of Janak and Dasa-ratha
V. The Preparation
VI. The Wedding
VII. Return to Ayodhya
Book II. Vana-Gamana-Adesa (The Banishment)
I. The Council Convened
II. The People Consulted
III. The City Decorated
IV. Intrigue
V. The Queen’s Demand
VI. The King’s Lament
VII. The Sentence
Book III. Dasa-ratha-Viyoga (The Death of the King)
I. Woman’s Love
II. Brother’s Faithfulness
III. Mother’s Blessings
IV. Citizens’ Lament
V. Crossing the Tamasa: the Citizens’ Return
VI. Crossing the Ganges, Bharad-vaja’s Hermitage
VII. Crossing the Jumna – Valmiki’s Hermitage
VIII. Tale of the Hermit’s Son
Book IV. Rama-Bharata-Sambada (The Meeting of the Princes)
I. The Meeting of the Brothers
II. Bharat’s Entreaty and Rama’s Reply
III. Kausalya’s Lament and Rama’s Reply
IV. Jabali’s Reasoning and Rama’s Reply
V. The Sandals
VI. The Hermitge of Atri
Book V. Panchavati (On the Banks of the Godavari)
I. The Hermitage of Agastya
II. The Counsel of Agastya
III. The Forest of Panchavati
IV. Winter in Panchavati
Book VI. Sita-Harana (Sita Lost)
1. Surpa-nakha in Love
II. Surpa-nakha Punished
III. Rama’s Departure
IV. Lakshman’s Departure
V. Ravan’s Coming
VI. Ravan’s Wooing
VII. Ravan’s Triumph
Book VII. Kishkindha (In the Nilgiri Mountains)
I. Friends in Misfortune
II. The Counsel of Tara
III. The Fall of Bali
IV. The Consecration of Sugriva
V. The Rains in the Nilgiri Mountains
VI. The Quest for Sita
Book VIII. Sita-Sandesa (Sita Discovered)
I. Sita in the Asoka Garden
II. The Voice of Hope
III. Rama’s Token
IV. Sita’s Token
Book IX. Ravana-Sabha (The Council of War)
I. Ravan Seeks Advice
II. Prahasta’s Speech
III. Durmukha’s Speech
IV. Vajra-danshtra’s Speech
V. Speech of Nikumbha and Vajra-hanu
VI. Bibhishan’s Warning
VII. Kumbha-karna’s Determination
VIII. Indrajit’s Assurance
IX. Ravan’s Decision
X. Bibhishan’s Departure
Book X. Yuddha (The War in Ceylon)
I. Indrajit’s First Battle – The Serpent-Noose
II. Sita’s Lament
III. Ravan’s First Battle – The Javelin-Stroke
IV. Fall of Kumbha-karna
V. Indrajit’s Sacrifice and Second Battle
VI. Indrajit’s Third Battle and Fall
VII. Ravan’s Lament
VIII. Ravan’s Second Battle and Vengeance
IX. Rama’s Lament
X. Celestial Arms and Chariot
XI. Ravan’s Third Battle and Fall
XII. Mandodari’s Lament and the Funerals
Book XI. Rajya-Abhisheka (Rama’s Return and Consecration)
I. Ordeal by Fire
II. Woman’s Truth Vindicated
III. Return Home by the Aërial Car
IV. Greetings
V. The Consecration
Book XII. Aswa-Medha (Sacrifice of the Horse)
I. The Sacrifice
II. Valmiki and His Pupils
III. Recital of the Ramayana
IV. Lava and Kusa Recognised
V. Sita Lost
Conclusion
Epilogue by the Translator
Glossary
