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Kanda 4 of 767 sargas2,442 shlokas

Kishkindha Kanda

किष्किंधाकांड

The Kishkindha Kanda tells of Rama's alliance with the vanara Sugriva, the death of Vali, and the great search for Sita that ends with news that she is in Lanka.

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What happens in the Kishkindha Kanda

At Lake Pampa Rama meets Hanuman, who brings him to Sugriva on Rishyamukha. Sugriva shows Rama Sita's ornaments and tells how his brother Vali drove him out and took his wife. The two swear friendship before a fire.

In the second duel between the brothers Rama kills Vali from hiding. Vali questions the justice of this before he dies, Tara mourns him, and Sugriva is crowned with Angada as heir.

The rains delay the search, and Lakshmana has to rouse Sugriva. Search parties go in all four directions. The southern party under Angada, with Hanuman and Jambavan, finds the cave of Svayamprabha, reaches the sea and learns from Sampati that Sita is in Lanka. Jambavan reminds Hanuman of his powers.

Themes

Friendship and loyalty, and the hard questions of kingship and justice raised by Vali's death.

Contents

The 67 sargas of the Kishkindha Kanda

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

  1. Sarga1 130 shlokas Spring at Pampa पंपा में वसंत The lake in spring deepens Rama's longing for Sita. Lakshmana urges him to gather courage, and they walk on toward Rishyamukha.
  2. Sarga2 29 shlokas Sugriva Takes Fright सुग्रीव की आशंका From Rishyamukha Sugriva sees two armed men and fears Vali has sent them. He sends Hanuman to find out who they are.
  3. Sarga3 39 shlokas Hanuman Meets Rama हनुमान की राम से भेंट Hanuman approaches as a mendicant and speaks with such grace and learning that Rama marvels at him.
  4. Sarga4 35 shlokas Carried to Sugriva सुग्रीव के पास ले जाना Lakshmana explains their purpose. Hanuman takes his true form and carries the brothers on his shoulders to Sugriva.
  5. Sarga5 32 shlokas Friendship Before Fire अग्नि साक्षी मैत्री Rama and Sugriva swear friendship around a sacred fire. Sugriva tells how Vali stole his kingdom and wife, and Rama promises to kill Vali.
  6. Sarga6 27 shlokas Sita's Ornaments सीता के आभूषण Sugriva shows Rama the cloth and ornaments Sita dropped. Rama weeps and asks where Ravana lives.
  7. Sarga7 25 shlokas Promises Exchanged परस्पर वचन Sugriva promises to find Sita and comforts Rama. Rama renews his vow to kill Vali.
  8. Sarga8 46 shlokas Sugriva's Sorrow सुग्रीव का दुख Sugriva rejoices in the friendship and asks Rama to rid him of Vali's enmity, which keeps him in fear.
  9. Sarga9 26 shlokas Vali and the Demon Mayavi वाली और मायावी Sugriva tells how Vali chased the demon Mayavi into a cave. Thinking Vali dead, Sugriva sealed the cave and was made king, until Vali returned in fury.
  10. Sarga10 35 shlokas Driven Out निष्कासन Vali accused Sugriva of treachery, drove him out and took his wife Ruma. Sugriva has lived in fear on Rishyamukha ever since.
  11. Sarga11 93 shlokas The Might of Vali वाली का पराक्रम Sugriva tells how Vali killed the buffalo demon Dundubhi and was cursed by Matanga never to enter Rishyamukha. Rama kicks Dundubhi's skeleton far away.
  12. Sarga12 42 shlokas Seven Sal Trees सात साल वृक्ष Rama pierces seven sal trees with one arrow. Sugriva challenges Vali but is beaten, since Rama cannot tell the look-alike brothers apart.
  13. Sarga13 29 shlokas The Hermitage of the Seven Sages सप्तजनाश्रम On the way back to Kishkindha Sugriva shows Rama the hermitage of seven sages whose penance still fills the place with power.
  14. Sarga14 22 shlokas The Second Challenge दूसरी ललकार Wearing a garland so Rama can tell him apart, Sugriva roars at Kishkindha's gates while Rama hides behind a tree.
  15. Sarga15 31 shlokas Tara's Warning तारा की चेतावनी Vali's wife Tara suspects Sugriva has a powerful ally and begs Vali to make peace with Rama instead of fighting.
  16. Sarga16 38 shlokas Vali Is Struck Down वाली पर बाण Vali ignores Tara and fights Sugriva. As Sugriva weakens, Rama shoots Vali in the chest from behind the tree.
  17. Sarga17 52 shlokas Vali Accuses Rama वाली का राम पर आरोप Dying, Vali reproaches Rama for striking from hiding a warrior who was fighting someone else, and calls it unworthy of a prince of dharma.
  18. Sarga18 67 shlokas Rama's Reply राम का उत्तर Rama answers that the land belongs to Bharata's rule and that Vali sinned by taking his brother's wife. Vali accepts the judgment and asks Rama to protect Angada.
  19. Sarga19 28 shlokas Tara Comes Running तारा का आगमन Hearing the news, Tara runs from the city while the vanaras flee. She finds Vali dying.
  20. Sarga20 25 shlokas Tara's Lament तारा का विलाप Tara embraces her husband and laments her fate and Angada's.
  21. Sarga21 16 shlokas Hanuman Consoles Tara हनुमान की सांत्वना Hanuman comforts Tara and asks her to let Angada perform the rites. Tara says Angada's future lies with Sugriva.
  22. Sarga22 31 shlokas Vali's Last Words वाली के अंतिम वचन Vali forgives Sugriva, asks him to care for Angada and Tara, gives him his golden necklace and advises Angada to serve his uncle.
  23. Sarga23 29 shlokas Vali Dies वाली का देहांत Vali dies and Tara laments over his body, calling Angada to see his father.
  24. Sarga24 44 shlokas Sugriva's Remorse सुग्रीव का पश्चाताप Sugriva blames himself and wishes to die. Tara asks Rama to kill her too, and Rama consoles her.
  25. Sarga25 52 shlokas Vali's Funeral वाली का अंतिम संस्कार Rama speaks of fate and time, and Angada performs his father's cremation by the river.
  26. Sarga26 41 shlokas Sugriva Is Crowned सुग्रीव का राज्याभिषेक Sugriva is crowned king of Kishkindha and Angada named heir. Rama, bound by his vow, stays outside the city through the rains.
  27. Sarga27 48 shlokas The Cave on Prasravana प्रस्रवण पर्वत की गुफा Rama and Lakshmana settle in a cave on Mount Prasravana to wait out the monsoon.
  28. Sarga28 66 shlokas The Rainy Season वर्षा ऋतु Rama describes the clouds, rains and swollen rivers to Lakshmana, and each image sharpens his longing for Sita.
  29. Sarga29 34 shlokas Hanuman Rouses Sugriva हनुमान का सुग्रीव को जगाना Autumn arrives, but Sugriva is lost in pleasure. Hanuman reminds him of his promise and he orders the armies to gather.
  30. Sarga30 85 shlokas Autumn and Rama's Anger शरद और राम का क्रोध The clear autumn sky adds to Rama's grief, and angered by Sugriva's delay he sends Lakshmana to warn him.
  31. Sarga31 51 shlokas Lakshmana at the Gates लक्ष्मण नगर द्वार पर Lakshmana strides into Kishkindha in fury, and the vanaras scatter in fear.
  32. Sarga32 22 shlokas Hanuman Counsels Sugriva हनुमान की सलाह Sugriva wonders why Lakshmana is angry. Hanuman tells him plainly that he has neglected his promise and must act.
  33. Sarga33 65 shlokas Tara Goes to Lakshmana तारा का लक्ष्मण के पास जाना Lakshmana enters the palace, and Sugriva asks Tara to calm him.
  34. Sarga34 19 shlokas Lakshmana's Rebuke लक्ष्मण की फटकार Lakshmana confronts Sugriva and reminds him that ingratitude to a friend is the worst of sins.
  35. Sarga35 23 shlokas Tara Pacifies Lakshmana तारा की विनती Tara explains that the armies have already been summoned, and Lakshmana's anger cools.
  36. Sarga36 20 shlokas Reconciliation मेल-मिलाप Sugriva praises Rama and promises full support, and Lakshmana apologises for his harsh words.
  37. Sarga37 37 shlokas The Vanaras Gather वानरों का आगमन At Sugriva's summons countless vanaras stream in from mountains, forests and seashores.
  38. Sarga38 34 shlokas Sugriva Meets Rama सुग्रीव की राम से भेंट Sugriva comes to Rama with Lakshmana, thanks him for all he owes him and pledges his armies.
  39. Sarga39 44 shlokas The Great Army विशाल सेना Vanara and bear chiefs arrive with armies beyond counting. Rama thanks Sugriva warmly.
  40. Sarga40 70 shlokas The Eastern Search पूर्व दिशा में खोज Sugriva sends Vinata's army east and describes the lands, rivers and mountains they must search.
  41. Sarga41 50 shlokas The Southern Search दक्षिण दिशा में खोज The southern party, led by Angada with Hanuman, Nila and Jambavan, is told of the lands down to the ocean.
  42. Sarga42 55 shlokas The Western Search पश्चिम दिशा में खोज Sushena leads the army west, toward the lands and rivers of the western sea.
  43. Sarga43 64 shlokas The Northern Search उत्तर दिशा में खोज Shatabali leads the army north to the Himalayas and the lands beyond.
  44. Sarga44 17 shlokas Rama's Ring राम की मुद्रिका Sugriva places his greatest trust in Hanuman, and Rama gives Hanuman his ring as a token for Sita.
  45. Sarga45 15 shlokas The Armies Depart सेनाओं का प्रस्थान The vanaras set out in all four directions, and Rama and Lakshmana return to Prasravana.
  46. Sarga46 24 shlokas How Sugriva Knows the World सुग्रीव का भूगोल ज्ञान Asked by Rama, Sugriva explains he learned the whole world while fleeing Vali across it.
  47. Sarga47 14 shlokas Three Armies Return तीन सेनाओं की वापसी After a month the eastern, western and northern parties return with no news of Sita.
  48. Sarga48 23 shlokas Despair in the Vindhyas विंध्य में निराशा The southern party searches the Vindhya hills in vain and sits down in despair.
  49. Sarga49 22 shlokas Angada Rallies Them अंगद का उत्साह बढ़ाना Angada encourages the troops to keep searching, and they scour the silver mountain.
  50. Sarga50 41 shlokas The Cave of Svayamprabha स्वयंप्रभा की गुफा Thirsty, they enter a dark cave and find a magical golden grove where the ascetic Svayamprabha lives.
  51. Sarga51 19 shlokas Her Story स्वयंप्रभा की कथा Svayamprabha tells how the demon architect Maya built this place and how she guards it.
  52. Sarga52 19 shlokas Hanuman Explains Their Mission हनुमान द्वारा उद्देश्य बताना Hanuman tells Svayamprabha about Rama and the search for Sita.
  53. Sarga53 39 shlokas Out of the Cave गुफा से बाहर By her power the vanaras find themselves at the seashore. Realising the month is over, Angada proposes fasting until death.
  54. Sarga54 22 shlokas Hanuman Persuades Angada हनुमान का अंगद को समझाना Hanuman tries to win Angada back to loyalty by warning him of the risks of rebelling against Sugriva.
  55. Sarga55 23 shlokas The Vow to Fast अनशन का संकल्प Angada refuses to return and fail Sugriva, and the vanaras sit down on the shore to fast to death.
  56. Sarga56 17 shlokas Sampati Hears of Jatayu संपाति को जटायु का समाचार The old vulture Sampati sees the fasting vanaras as food until he hears them speak of his brother Jatayu's death.
  57. Sarga57 19 shlokas Angada Tells the Tale अंगद द्वारा कथा Angada tells Sampati how Jatayu died fighting Ravana for Sita.
  58. Sarga58 36 shlokas Sita Is in Lanka सीता लंका में Sampati says he saw Ravana carry Sita south and, with his far sight, sees her now in Lanka across the sea.
  59. Sarga59 28 shlokas Suparshva's Report सुपार्श्व की सूचना Sampati recalls how his son Suparshva saw Ravana fly past with a weeping woman.
  60. Sarga60 21 shlokas Sampati's Past संपाति का अतीत Sampati tells how long ago he and Jatayu flew too close to the sun, and he lost his wings shielding his brother.
  61. Sarga61 17 shlokas Sampati and the Sage संपाति और ऋषि निशाकर Sampati tells how he fell near the hermitage of the sage Nishakara and told him of his burnt wings.
  62. Sarga62 15 shlokas A Prophecy Fulfilled भविष्यवाणी Nishakara foretold that Sampati would regain his wings by helping the vanaras searching for Rama's wife.
  63. Sarga63 15 shlokas New Wings नए पंख As he speaks, Sampati's wings grow back. He flies off, and the vanaras rejoice and head for the sea.
  64. Sarga64 24 shlokas Who Can Cross the Sea? समुद्र कौन लाँघेगा At the vast ocean the vanaras lose heart. Angada asks each chief how far he can leap.
  65. Sarga65 34 shlokas Jambavan Chooses Hanuman जाम्बवान का हनुमान को चुनना Each chief names a distance too short. Jambavan, too old now, says Angada must not risk himself and turns to the silent Hanuman.
  66. Sarga66 37 shlokas Jambavan Reminds Hanuman जाम्बवान का स्मरण कराना Jambavan tells Hanuman of his birth from Vayu, his childhood leap toward the sun and his forgotten strength.
  67. Sarga67 50 shlokas Hanuman Grows to His Full Size हनुमान का विराट रूप Hanuman swells to an immense size, roars, promises to find Sita and climbs Mount Mahendra to leap.

Who is in the Kishkindha Kanda

All characters
39 sargasSugrivaसुग्रीवSugriva is the vanara king of Kishkindha who was driven out by his brother Vali. Rama killed Vali…32 sargasRamaरामRama, prince of Ayodhya and seventh avatar of Vishnu, is the hero of the Ramayana. Exiled for fourteen…24 sargasHanumanहनुमानHanuman is the vanara devotee of Rama, revered for boundless strength, courage and selfless devotion. Son of the…23 sargasAngadaअंगदAngada is the son of Vali and Tara and the crown prince of Kishkindha. He leads the southern…21 sargasLakshmanaलक्ष्मणLakshmana, son of Dasharatha and Sumitra, is Rama's devoted younger brother who followed him into exile and guarded…20 sargasValiवालीVali was the mighty vanara king of Kishkindha and elder brother of Sugriva. A misunderstanding turned the brothers…11 sargasTaraताराTara is the wise queen of Vali and mother of Angada. She warns Vali not to fight Sugriva,…8 sargasSampatiसंपातिSampati is the elder brother of Jatayu, an aged vulture whose wings were burned by the sun. From…

Stories from the Kishkindha Kanda

All Ramayana stories
StoryThe Friendship of Rama and Sugrivaराम और सुग्रीव की मित्रताSearching for Sita, Rama met the exiled vanara king Sugriva through Hanuman at Rishyamukha. Both had lost their wives and homes, and they swore friendship before a sacred…StoryThe Slaying of Valiवाली वधTo restore his friend Sugriva to the throne of Kishkindha, Rama killed the mighty, nearly invincible Vali with an arrow from hiding. The dying Vali questioned the justice…

Frequently asked questions

How many sargas are in the Kishkindha Kanda?
67 sargas in the edition used here.
Who told the vanaras that Sita was in Lanka?
Sampati, the elder brother of Jatayu.