The Ramayana
An exile. A kidnapping. A bridge to Lanka. Read all seven books in English, each with a short summary.
The Ramayana is a great Sanskrit epic in seven books, called kandas. Tradition says the sage Valmiki composed it. It tells how Prince Rama of Ayodhya is sent into exile, how his wife Sita is carried off by the demon-king Ravana, and how Rama wins her back with help from Hanuman and an army of monkeys and bears.
Books
- Bala KandaRama's birth, Vishvamitra's request, the bow at Mithila and the wedding.
- Ayodhya KandaThe coronation is cancelled by two boons. Rama goes into exile for fourteen years.
- Aranya KandaLife in the Dandaka forest, Surpanakha, the golden deer and Sita's abduction.
- Kishkindha KandaThe alliance with Sugriva, Vali's death and the search parties.
- Sundara KandaHanuman crosses the sea, finds Sita and burns parts of Lanka.
- Yuddha KandaThe bridge, the war, Ravana's death, Sita's fire ordeal and the return.
- Uttara KandaRavana's rise, Rama's reign, Sita's sons Lava and Kusha, and the end of Rama's time on earth.
Valmiki's Ramayana, after M. N. Dutt's translation (Calcutta, 1891 to 1894). Public domain.