Valmiki Ramayana

The seven kandas of the adi-kavya

Valmiki’s Ramayana — the first poem of Sanskrit literature — tells the life of Rama across seven books (kandas): his youth, exile, the abduction of Sita, the alliance with the vanaras, Hanuman’s leap to Lanka, the great war, and the final years.

Books

1 77 chapters

Bala Kanda

The Book of Youth

The first book of Valmiki’s Ramayana: the birth of Rama in Ayodhya, his training under sage Vishvamitra, the breaking of Shiva’s bow, and his marriage to Sita.
2 119 chapters

Ayodhya Kanda

The Book of Ayodhya

Kaikeyi’s two boons, Rama’s exile to the forest for fourteen years, the grief of Dasharatha, and Bharata’s vigil with Rama’s sandals on the throne.
3 75 chapters

Aranya Kanda

The Book of the Forest

Life in the Dandaka forest, the golden deer, and the abduction of Sita by Ravana — the turning point of the epic.
4 67 chapters

Kishkindha Kanda

The Book of Kishkindha

The alliance with Sugriva, the duel with Vali, and the vanara search parties sent to the four quarters to find Sita.
5 68 chapters

Sundara Kanda

The Book of Beauty

Hanuman’s leap across the ocean, the search of Lanka, finding Sita in the Ashoka grove, and the burning of the city.
6 131 chapters

Yuddha Kanda

The Book of War

The bridge over the sea, the great battle for Lanka, the fall of Ravana, and Rama’s return to Ayodhya for his coronation.
7 111 chapters

Uttara Kanda

The Final Book

The later years: the histories of Ravana and Hanuman, Sita’s exile and the birth of Lava and Kusha, and Rama’s final departure.