Ramayana

The Ramayana is a Sanskrit epic from ancient India attributed to Valmiki and composed over a long period, its core usually dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC, with later material added afterwards.

The "Ramayana" is an ancient Indian epic attributed to the sage Valmiki. It is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. The narrative of the Ramayana focuses on the life of Rama, prince of Ayodhya and seventh avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu.

The epic is divided into seven books, or Kandas, and consists of some 24,000 verses. The main storyline is as follows:

• Bala Kanda: This book begins with the sage Valmiki's question to Narada about a perfect human being who embodies all virtues. Narada describes Rama, a prince of Ayodhya. The story moves on to the birth of Rama and his siblings, their education and Rama's marriage to Sita after bending the mighty bow of Shiva.


• Ayodhya Kanda: Rama is about to be crowned king of Ayodhya, but his stepmother Kaikeyi, influenced by her maid Manthara, demands that her own son Bharata be made king and that Rama be exiled for 14 years. Rama accepts exile, and Sita and his devoted brother Lakshmana join him.


• Aranya Kanda: In the forest, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana meet several sages and have many adventures, including the humiliation of the demoness Surpanakha, whose complaint to her brother leads to Sita's abduction by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka.


• Kishkindha Kanda: Rama and Lakshmana meet Hanuman and form an alliance with the monkey king Sugriva. In exchange for Rama's help in regaining his own kingdom, Sugriva agrees to help find Sita.


• Sundara Kanda: This book details Hanuman's journey to Lanka, where he finds Sita imprisoned. Hanuman reassures her, burns Lanka and returns to Rama with the news of Sita's location.


• Yuddha Kanda: This extensive book describes the battle between the armies of Rama and Ravana. With the help of his allies, including the monkey god Hanuman, Rama finally defeats Ravana and rescues Sita. However, Rama doubts Sita's chastity and subjects her to a trial by fire to prove her purity.


• Uttara Kanda: This last book deals with Rama's life after his return to Ayodhya, the birth of his sons Lava and Kusha, Sita's banishment due to social pressure and finally Rama's reunion with his sons and Sita. The epic concludes with Rama's departure from earth and his ascension to Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu.

"Ramayana" explores themes such as duty, righteousness, and loyalty: the ideal ruler, the ideal wife, the ideal brother and the ideal servant. It has had a profound impact on Indian life and culture and remains a revered text in Hinduism and Indian culture.

"Now Daśaratha's pious mind
Meet wedlock for his sons designed;
With priests and friends the king began
To counsel and prepare his plan.
Such thoughts engaged his bosom, when,
To see Ayodhyá's lord of men,
A mighty saint of glorious fame,
The hermit Viśvámitra came."

This edition of Ramayana is based on Ralph T. H. Griffith's translation.