A pillared sandstone hall at sunset. On a gold and ivory throne beneath a carved canopy sits a dark-complexioned young king in green and gold silks, crowned, garlanded, a faint gold nimbus behind his head and a long bow resting against the throne beside him. A young queen in a red and gold sari is seated at his left, her hands near his. A younger brother stands at his right in pale silks with a quiver at his shoulder, palms joined. At the foot of the throne a powerful monkey-faced devotee kneels on one knee with his palms pressed together and his eyes raised to the king, his tail curved behind him. Oil lamps burn along the plinth and lotus petals lie scattered on the polished floor

Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa

Vālmīki's poem of Rāma in seven books, the source every later Rāmāyaṇa draws on: a prince exiled from Ayodhyā, his wife Sītā carried off to Laṅkā, the war to win her back, and his return to rule.

Maharṣi Vālmīki23,538 Ślokas

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Nārada's Summary of the Deeds of Rāma

Reading plan

Sundara Kāṇḍa alone

The complete Rāmāyaṇa

Before you beginDhyāna Ślokas

Go to kāṇḍa

Kāṇḍa 1Bāla
Kāṇḍa 2Ayodhyā
Kāṇḍa 3Araṇya
Kāṇḍa 4Kiṣkindhā
Kāṇḍa 5Sundara
Kāṇḍa 6Yuddha
Kāṇḍa 7Uttara