Ramayana
The Ramayana: the seven kandas of Shri Ram's journey
Maharishi Valmiki composed the Ramayana in about 24,000 verses arranged in seven books called kandas. Together they follow Shri Ram from his birth in Ayodhya to exile in the forest, the search for Sita, the war in Lanka and the return that the world still celebrates as Deepavali. Each kanda below gives the story in plain words, the moments on which everything turns, and the lesson that readers have drawn from it for centuries.
- 1
Bala Kanda: Birth and Boyhood of Shri Ram
The first book of the Ramayana: Dasharatha's yajna, the birth of the four princes in Ayodhya, the journey with Vishwamitra and the wedding of Ram and Sita.
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Ayodhya Kanda: The Promise and the Exile
The second book of the Ramayana: the planned coronation, Kaikeyi's two boons, Ram's exile with Sita and Lakshmana, and Bharata's refusal of the throne.
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Aranya Kanda: The Forest Years
The third book of the Ramayana: life in Dandaka and Panchavati, Shurpanakha, the golden deer, the abduction of Sita by Ravana, Jatayu and Shabari.
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Kishkindha Kanda: Friendship with Sugriva
The fourth book of the Ramayana: Ram meets Hanuman and Sugriva, the fall of Vali, the rainy season of waiting, and the search parties sent to find Sita.
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Sundara Kanda: Hanuman's Leap to Lanka
The fifth and most loved book of the Ramayana: Hanuman crosses the ocean, finds Sita in the Ashoka grove, burns Lanka and returns with her message.
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Yuddha Kanda: The War in Lanka
The sixth book of the Ramayana: Vibhishana's refuge, the bridge across the sea, the fall of Kumbhakarna, Indrajit and Ravana, and the return to Ayodhya.
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Uttara Kanda: Ram Rajya and After
The seventh book of the Ramayana: the reign of Ram, Sita in Valmiki's ashram, the birth of Luv and Kush, and Ram's final departure at the Saryu.
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