Ramayana: Epic Of Rama, Prince Of India (Retold in Verse)

Description

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. 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