Epic7 KandasAbout 24,000 verses7 KandasSanskrit, by ValmikiHundreds of retellings16 versions to read
Ramayana: Key stories
रामायणThe journey of Rama: a prince exiled for fourteen years, a wife carried across the sea, a monkey who leapt the ocean, and a war fought to bring her home.
Key stories of the Ramayana
StoryThe Breaking of Shiva’s Bowशिव धनुष भंगIn King Janaka's court at Mithila, the young Rama lifts and breaks the great bow of Shiva that no king could raise, and wins the hand of Sita.…
StoryThe Golden Deer and the Abduction of Sitaस्वर्ण मृग और सीता हरणAt Panchavati, Ravana sends the demon Maricha as a golden deer to lure Rama away. Lakshmana follows, and Ravana, disguised as an ascetic, carries Sita off to Lanka…
StoryHanuman’s Leap to Lankaहनुमान की लंका यात्राIn the Sundara Kanda, Hanuman, reminded of his powers by Jambavan, leaps across the ocean, overcomes Mainaka, Surasa and Simhika, finds Sita in the Ashoka grove and gives…
StoryRama Setu: Building the Bridge to Lankaराम सेतुOn the southern shore, Rama receives Vibhishana and prays to the Ocean for three days. When the Ocean appears, he tells Rama that the vanara architect Nala can…
StoryThe Fall of Ravanaरावण वधIn the last battle of the war of Lanka, Rama, riding Indra's chariot and strengthened by the Aditya Hridayam taught by Agastya, fights Ravana for days. When his…
StoryHanuman and the Sanjeevani Mountainहनुमान और संजीवनी पर्वतWhen Lakshmana lay dying in the war at Lanka, only the Sanjeevani herb could save him by dawn. Unable to find the single herb, Hanuman lifted the whole…