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Kanda 3 of 775 sargas2,440 shlokas

Aranya Kanda

अरण्यकांड

The Aranya Kanda, the book of the forest, follows Rama, Sita and Lakshmana through the Dandaka forest, to Panchavati and the abduction of Sita by Ravana.

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What happens in the Aranya Kanda

The exiles enter the Dandaka forest, where Rama kills Viradha and the sages ask for his protection. After ten years among the hermitages they meet Agastya, receive divine weapons and settle at Panchavati, where Jatayu becomes their friend.

Shurpanakha falls for Rama and attacks Sita, and Lakshmana cuts off her nose and ears. Rama destroys the army of Khara and Dushana. Ravana, told of Sita's beauty, forces Maricha to become a golden deer, and while the brothers are away he carries Sita off.

Jatayu fights Ravana and is mortally wounded. Rama searches in despair, cremates Jatayu, frees Kabandha and is welcomed by Shabari near Lake Pampa.

Themes

The forest is where the promise to protect the sages turns into open war with the rakshasas, and where Rama's grief for Sita shows his human side most clearly.

Contents

The 75 sargas of the Aranya Kanda

Each sarga opens with its Sanskrit shlokas, the same in English letters, and the meaning in Hindi and English.

  1. Sarga1 22 shlokas Welcomed by the Sages of Dandaka दंडक के ऋषियों द्वारा स्वागत Rama, Sita and Lakshmana enter the Dandaka forest and find a circle of hermitages. The sages welcome Rama as their king and protector and ask him to guard them.
  2. Sarga2 26 shlokas Viradha Seizes Sita विराध द्वारा सीता का हरण A giant rakshasa named Viradha bursts out of the forest, snatches up Sita and taunts the brothers. Rama is shaken to see her in his grip.
  3. Sarga3 26 shlokas The Fight with Viradha विराध से युद्ध Viradha boasts that no weapon can kill him by Brahma's boon. He drops Sita and carries off the brothers, who cut off his arms.
  4. Sarga4 32 shlokas Viradha Is Released विराध की मुक्ति Since weapons cannot kill him, the brothers bury Viradha alive. He reveals he was a gandharva named Tumburu under a curse, and rises to heaven.
  5. Sarga5 43 shlokas Sharabhanga Ascends शरभंग का ब्रह्मलोक गमन At the hermitage of Sharabhanga, Rama sees Indra departing. Having waited to see Rama, the old sage enters the fire and ascends to Brahma's world, sending Rama to Sutikshna.
  6. Sarga6 26 shlokas Rama's Promise to the Sages ऋषियों को राम का वचन The sages show Rama the bones of hermits killed by rakshasas. Rama promises to destroy the demons who torment them.
  7. Sarga7 24 shlokas At Sutikshna's Hermitage सुतीक्ष्ण का आश्रम Rama reaches the hermitage of Sutikshna, who welcomes him and offers him the merit of his penance.
  8. Sarga8 20 shlokas Leaving Sutikshna सुतीक्ष्ण से विदा After a night's rest Rama takes leave of Sutikshna to visit the other hermitages of the forest.
  9. Sarga9 33 shlokas Sita's Counsel on Weapons शस्त्रों पर सीता की सीख Sita gently warns Rama that carrying weapons tempts one to violence, and tells the story of an ascetic corrupted by a sword left in his keeping.
  10. Sarga10 23 shlokas Rama's Duty to Protect रक्षा का धर्म Rama replies that he has given his word to protect the sages, and that a promise once made must be kept even at the cost of life.
  11. Sarga11 93 shlokas Ten Years Among the Hermitages आश्रमों में दस वर्ष They see the Panchapsara lake made by the sage Mandakarni and spend ten happy years moving among the hermitages before visiting Agastya's brother and Agastya.
  12. Sarga12 37 shlokas Agastya's Divine Bow अगस्त्य का दिव्य धनुष Agastya welcomes Rama and gives him Vishnu's bow, an inexhaustible quiver, a golden sword and an arrow made by Brahma.
  13. Sarga13 27 shlokas Agastya Points to Panchavati अगस्त्य का पंचवटी सुझाव Agastya praises Sita's devotion and advises Rama to live at Panchavati on the Godavari, a lovely place for the rest of the exile.
  14. Sarga14 35 shlokas Meeting Jatayu जटायु से भेंट On the way the brothers meet the great vulture Jatayu, friend of their father. He tells of the origins of all creatures and offers to guard Sita.
  15. Sarga15 31 shlokas The Hut at Panchavati पंचवटी की कुटिया At Panchavati Lakshmana builds a fine leaf hut. Rama embraces him with gratitude and they settle by the Godavari.
  16. Sarga16 43 shlokas Winter at Panchavati पंचवटी में हेमंत Lakshmana describes the beauty of the winter season. Rama's thoughts turn to Bharata, living as an ascetic in Nandigram.
  17. Sarga17 30 shlokas Shurpanakha Sees Rama शूर्पणखा का आगमन Ravana's sister Shurpanakha sees Rama and desires him. She introduces herself and asks him to make her his wife.
  18. Sarga18 26 shlokas Shurpanakha Is Disfigured शूर्पणखा का अंग भंग Rama jokingly sends her to Lakshmana, who sends her back. Enraged, she rushes at Sita, and at Rama's word Lakshmana cuts off her nose and ears.
  19. Sarga19 26 shlokas Khara Sends Fourteen Warriors खर द्वारा चौदह राक्षस भेजना Bleeding, Shurpanakha runs to her brother Khara at Janasthana. He sends fourteen rakshasas to kill the brothers.
  20. Sarga20 25 shlokas The Fourteen Fall चौदह राक्षसों का वध Rama kills all fourteen with his arrows, and Shurpanakha returns to Khara with the news.
  21. Sarga21 22 shlokas Shurpanakha Goads Khara शूर्पणखा का खर को उकसाना Shurpanakha shames Khara for his weakness and demands that he march against Rama himself.
  22. Sarga22 26 shlokas Khara's Army Marches खर की सेना का प्रस्थान Khara and his brother Dushana set out with fourteen thousand rakshasas.
  23. Sarga23 35 shlokas Evil Omens for Khara खर को अपशकुन Terrible omens appear as Khara advances, but he scorns them in his pride.
  24. Sarga24 37 shlokas Rama Prepares for Battle राम की युद्ध तैयारी Rama reads the signs of war, sends Sita and Lakshmana to a cave, and puts on his armour alone.
  25. Sarga25 42 shlokas The Rakshasa Host Attacks राक्षस सेना का आक्रमण Khara's army surrounds Rama with a storm of weapons. Rama answers with a storm of arrows and destroys them.
  26. Sarga26 38 shlokas Dushana Is Slain दूषण का वध Dushana and his commanders fall in fierce fighting, and the rest of the army is cut down.
  27. Sarga27 20 shlokas The Death of Trishira त्रिशिरा का वध Khara's general Trishira, who has three heads, attacks Rama and is killed when Rama strikes off all three.
  28. Sarga28 33 shlokas Rama and Khara Duel राम और खर का द्वंद्व Khara fights Rama from his chariot. Rama breaks it, and Khara fights on foot as the gods gather to watch.
  29. Sarga29 28 shlokas Words Before the End अंत से पहले वचन Rama rebukes Khara for his cruelty to the sages. Khara hurls a mace, and Rama shatters it.
  30. Sarga30 41 shlokas Khara Falls खर का वध Khara tears up a tree to throw, and Rama kills him with an arrow. The gods praise Rama, and Sita and Lakshmana come out of the cave.
  31. Sarga31 50 shlokas Akampana Warns Ravana अकंपन की सूचना The survivor Akampana tells Ravana that Janasthana is destroyed and suggests carrying off Sita to break Rama's heart. Maricha talks Ravana out of it.
  32. Sarga32 25 shlokas Shurpanakha Before Ravana रावण के सामने शूर्पणखा Disfigured Shurpanakha appears in Ravana's court and describes Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.
  33. Sarga33 24 shlokas Shurpanakha Shames the King शूर्पणखा का रावण को धिक्कारना Shurpanakha scolds Ravana for neglecting his kingdom while enemies rise, and lists the marks of a careful ruler.
  34. Sarga34 27 shlokas The Plan to Take Sita सीता हरण की योजना She praises Sita's beauty and urges Ravana to carry her off and make her his queen.
  35. Sarga35 42 shlokas Ravana Flies to Maricha रावण का मारीच के पास जाना Ravana flies secretly across the sea in his chariot to the hermitage of Maricha, passing coasts rich with trees and treasures.
  36. Sarga36 24 shlokas Ravana Asks Maricha's Help रावण की मारीच से सहायता की माँग Ravana tells Maricha of Janasthana and asks him to become a golden deer to lure Rama away.
  37. Sarga37 25 shlokas Maricha Praises Rama मारीच द्वारा राम की प्रशंसा Maricha warns that Rama is no exiled weakling but dharma in human form, and that taking Sita will destroy Lanka.
  38. Sarga38 33 shlokas Maricha's First Encounter मारीच का पहला अनुभव Maricha recalls how the boy Rama, guarding Vishwamitra's sacrifice, flung him across the sea with one arrow.
  39. Sarga39 25 shlokas A Second Narrow Escape दूसरी बार बचना He tells how he later attacked Rama in the Dandaka forest as a deer and barely escaped, and begs Ravana to give up the plan.
  40. Sarga40 27 shlokas Ravana Commands रावण का आदेश Angered, Ravana orders Maricha as his king to obey or die on the spot.
  41. Sarga41 20 shlokas Maricha's Last Warning मारीच की अंतिम चेतावनी Maricha warns that Ravana's ministers have misled him and that his folly will destroy them all.
  42. Sarga42 35 shlokas The Golden Deer स्वर्ण मृग Maricha takes the form of a wondrous deer with silver spots and jewelled horns and wanders near the hut. Sita is enchanted.
  43. Sarga43 50 shlokas Sita Asks for the Deer सीता की मृग की इच्छा Sita asks Rama to catch the deer. Lakshmana suspects Maricha's magic, but Rama goes after it and asks Lakshmana to guard Sita.
  44. Sarga44 27 shlokas Maricha's Dying Cry मारीच की अंतिम पुकार The deer leads Rama far away. Rama kills it, and as he dies Maricha cries out for Sita and Lakshmana in Rama's voice.
  45. Sarga45 40 shlokas Sita's Harsh Words सीता के कठोर वचन Hearing the cry, Sita begs Lakshmana to go. When he refuses, she accuses him of wanting her, and in pain he leaves.
  46. Sarga46 37 shlokas Ravana in Disguise संन्यासी वेश में रावण Ravana comes as a wandering ascetic and praises Sita's beauty. She welcomes him as a guest and tells him who she is.
  47. Sarga47 50 shlokas Sita Refuses Ravana सीता का रावण को ठुकराना Ravana reveals his name and asks Sita to be his queen. She refuses with scorn, comparing Rama to a lion and him to a jackal.
  48. Sarga48 24 shlokas Ravana's True Form रावण का असली रूप Ravana takes his true form and boasts of his might. Sita answers him fiercely.
  49. Sarga49 41 shlokas Sita Is Carried Off सीता हरण Ravana seizes Sita and carries her into the sky in his chariot. She cries out to the trees, rivers and creatures to tell Rama.
  50. Sarga50 27 shlokas Jatayu Challenges Ravana जटायु की ललकार Jatayu wakes, sees Ravana and orders him to release Sita, then attacks.
  51. Sarga51 46 shlokas Jatayu Falls जटायु का पतन Jatayu shatters Ravana's chariot and wounds him, but the old bird tires. Ravana cuts off his wings and flies on with Sita.
  52. Sarga52 44 shlokas Across the Sky आकाश मार्ग से Sita weeps and calls on Rama and Lakshmana as Ravana flies south.
  53. Sarga53 26 shlokas Sita Rebukes Ravana सीता की फटकार Sita calls Ravana a thief and a coward and warns him that Rama will surely kill him.
  54. Sarga54 30 shlokas Ornaments Dropped to the Vanaras वानरों के बीच आभूषण Seeing five vanaras on a hilltop, Sita ties her ornaments in her upper cloth and drops them, hoping they will reach Rama.
  55. Sarga55 37 shlokas Ravana Shows His Palace रावण का महल दिखाना In Lanka Ravana shows Sita his palace and wealth and offers her everything if she will be his.
  56. Sarga56 36 shlokas The Blade of Grass तिनके की ओट Placing a blade of grass between them, Sita refuses to address Ravana directly and foretells his ruin. He gives her twelve months and sends her to the Ashoka grove.
  57. Sarga57 24 shlokas Rama Meets Lakshmana राम और लक्ष्मण का मिलन Returning, Rama sees ill omens and meets Lakshmana on the way. He reproaches him for leaving Sita alone.
  58. Sarga58 19 shlokas The Empty Hut सूनी कुटिया Rama runs to the hut and finds it empty. He searches everywhere, fearing the worst.
  59. Sarga59 27 shlokas Why Lakshmana Came लक्ष्मण के आने का कारण Lakshmana explains that Sita's bitter words forced him to leave. Rama still blames him for obeying her.
  60. Sarga60 38 shlokas Rama Asks the Trees राम का वृक्षों से पूछना Mad with grief, Rama wanders from tree to tree and river to river, asking each if it has seen Sita.
  61. Sarga61 32 shlokas Searching in Vain व्यर्थ खोज They search every hill and stream. Lakshmana comforts Rama, who imagines what may have happened to her.
  62. Sarga62 21 shlokas Rama's Lament राम का विलाप Rama pours out his sorrow, thinking of how Sita will grieve and how he will face Janaka and Kausalya.
  63. Sarga63 20 shlokas Memories of Sita सीता की स्मृतियाँ Rama recalls his life with Sita since the exile began and falls back into grief. Lakshmana urges him to keep searching.
  64. Sarga64 75 shlokas Signs of a Struggle संघर्ष के चिह्न They find fallen flowers, footprints, a broken bow and a shattered chariot. Rama, in anger, threatens to destroy the worlds.
  65. Sarga65 16 shlokas Lakshmana Calms Rama लक्ष्मण का राम को शांत करना Lakshmana reminds Rama that one wrongdoer should be punished, not the whole world, and urges a careful search.
  66. Sarga66 20 shlokas Bear Your Sorrow शोक सहन करो Lakshmana reminds Rama that great souls bear misfortune with patience and appeals to his wisdom.
  67. Sarga67 29 shlokas The Wounded Jatayu घायल जटायु The brothers find Jatayu lying in his blood with his wings cut.
  68. Sarga68 38 shlokas The Death of Jatayu जटायु का देहांत Jatayu tells Rama that Ravana took Sita south and then dies. Rama performs his funeral rites as for a father.
  69. Sarga69 51 shlokas Seized by Kabandha कबंध की पकड़ Heading south, Lakshmana fends off the demoness Ayomukhi. Then the headless giant Kabandha grabs both brothers in his long arms.
  70. Sarga70 18 shlokas Kabandha's Arms Are Cut कबंध की भुजाएँ कटना The brothers cut off his arms. Learning who they are, Kabandha welcomes them.
  71. Sarga71 33 shlokas Kabandha's Story कबंध की कथा Kabandha tells how a curse gave him this form and promises to guide them once they cremate him.
  72. Sarga72 27 shlokas Kabandha Points to Sugriva कबंध द्वारा सुग्रीव का संकेत Freed by the fire, Kabandha rises in shining form and tells Rama to befriend the vanara Sugriva.
  73. Sarga73 45 shlokas The Way to Rishyamukha ऋष्यमूक का मार्ग Kabandha describes the route to Lake Pampa and Rishyamukha, mentions Shabari, and departs.
  74. Sarga74 35 shlokas Shabari's Hospitality शबरी का आतिथ्य At Matanga's old hermitage the devoted Shabari welcomes Rama with fruits and, her wait fulfilled, ascends to heaven.
  75. Sarga75 30 shlokas At Lake Pampa पंपा सरोवर पर The brothers reach Lake Pampa. Its beauty reminds Rama of Sita, and they set out to find Sugriva.

Who is in the Aranya Kanda

All characters
56 sargasRamaरामRama, prince of Ayodhya and seventh avatar of Vishnu, is the hero of the Ramayana. Exiled for fourteen…34 sargasSitaसीताSita, found in a furrow by King Janaka of Mithila, married Rama when he broke Shiva's bow and…34 sargasLakshmanaलक्ष्मणLakshmana, son of Dasharatha and Sumitra, is Rama's devoted younger brother who followed him into exile and guarded…25 sargasRavanaरावणRavana, the ten-headed king of Lanka, is the antagonist of the Ramayana. A great scholar and devotee of…11 sargasMarichaमारीचMaricha is the rakshasa son of Tataka who, at Ravana's command, takes the form of a golden deer…10 sargasKharaखरKhara is Ravana's cousin and the rakshasa lord of Janasthana in the Dandaka forest. After Shurpanakha is disfigured…8 sargasShurpanakhaशूर्पणखाShurpanakha, the sister of Ravana, was humiliated and disfigured by Lakshmana in the forest after her advances to…5 sargasJatayuजटायुJatayu, the aged vulture king and son of Aruna, was an old friend of King Dasharatha. He fought…

Stories from the Aranya Kanda

All Ramayana stories
StoryShurpanakha and the Spark of Warशूर्पणखा और युद्ध की चिंगारीAt Panchavati during the exile, Ravana's sister Shurpanakha fell in love with Rama. Rejected and mocked by Rama and Lakshmana, she attacked Sita, and Lakshmana cut off her…StoryShabari’s Berriesशबरी के बेरA poor forest woman, Shabari, waited a lifetime to serve Rama and offered him berries she had tasted first to be sure they were sweet. Rama ate them…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…

Frequently asked questions

How many sargas are in the Aranya Kanda?
75 sargas in the edition used here.
Where was Sita abducted from?
From the hermitage at Panchavati on the Godavari.