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READTHEBOOK
Ramcharitmansa is composed in seven chapters or kaandas. A brief
description of each chapter is given below. Click on the name of a
chapter to read the text.
Baalakaanda
The Chapter of the Childhood: 361 dohas
This is the first and the longest of the seven chapters of
Ramacharitamanas. It begins with extensive invocations to various gods
and goddesses. Events leading to the descent of the incarnation of Rama
are described. These include, among other tales, the story of Shiva and
Parvati. The chapter then describes the birth of Rama in Ayodhya, his
childhood, the protection of the sage Vishwamitra’s yajna,
entry into Janakpur, breaking of Lord Shiva’s bow, marriage to Sita
and return to Ayodhya.
Ayodhyakaanda
The Chapter of Ayodhya: 326 dohas
The second chapter of Ramacharitamanas begins with the preparations for
Rama’s coronation in Ayodhya. Other events described in this chapter
are the exile of Rama, Dasharatha’s death, Rama’s encounter with
Nishaada and the Kevata (boatman), the return of Bharata to Ayodhya and
his anger at his mother’s scheming, the meeting of Bharata and Rama in
the forest and the installation of Rama’s padukas (sandals) on
the throne of Ayodhya with Bharata as regent.
Aranyakaanda
The Chapter of the Forest: 46 dohas
This brief but eventful chapter describes Rama’s life in the forest
with Sita and Lakshmana, and his meeting with various sages (Atri,
Anasuya, Agastya) who dwell there. The meeting with Shurpanakha,
Ravana’s sister and her humiliation, battle with the demons Khara and
Dushana, Ravana’s scheme for revenge -- Marichi’s impersonation of a
golden deer and the abduction of Sita -- and Rama’s grief and the
beginning of the search for Sita are some other episodes of this
chapter.
Kishkindhakaanda
The Chapter of Kishkindha: 30 dohas
This is the shortest chapter of Ramacharitamanas. It shows the meeting
of Hanumana and Rama, Rama’s friendship with Sugreeva, the slaying of
Vali and the beginning of the search for Sita by Sugreeva’s army.
Sundarkaanda
The Chapter of Beauty: 60 dohas
This is the fifth chapter of Ramacharitamanas and is considered by many
to be the heart of the whole text. It describes the exploits of Hanumana:
his crossing over the ocean, entry into Lanka, his meeting with
Vibhishana, his discovery of, and meeting with, Sita and his burning of
Lanka. Other episodes described in this chapter are the defection of
Vibhishana, the exchange of messages between Rama and Ravana and
Rama’s taming of the ocean.
Lankakaanda
The Chapter of Lanka: 121 dohas
This chapter describes the whole period of Rama’s stay in Lanka, the
island kingdom of Ravana. The episodes include the building of a bridge
on the ocean and crossing over into Lanka and Angada’s fruitless peace
mission to Ravana. Then follows the battle with the fall of various
heroes, Lakshmana’s injury and recovery and finally the slaying of
Ravana. The battle is followed by the crowning of Vibhishana as king of
Lanka, the return of Sita and the journey back to Ayodhya.
Uttarkaanda
The Chapter of Later Events or Epilogue: 130 dohas
This is the seventh and final chapter of Ramacharitamanas, which talks
of events occurring after the battle of Lanka. Major events are the end
of Rama’s exile and his return to Ayodhya, crowning of Rama as king of
Ayodhya and the description of his exemplary governance (Ramarajya).
This is followed by details of the departure of the incarnation of Lord
Rama, the dialogue between Garuda and Kakbhushundi and the closing
invocation of the text.
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