Epics

Epics Oct 05, 2023

Kiṣkindhā-kāṇḍa - Part 4: Lakṣmaṇa warns Sugrīva; Rāma gives his ring to Hanumān

Once the sky was free of clouds, Rāma, who had waited patiently the entire rainy season, was overcome with intense desire to regain the company of Sītā. He look...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Sep 28, 2023

Kiṣkindhā-kāṇḍa - Part 3: Vālī Cremated; Rāma Laments in the Rainy Season

Vālī’s wife Tārā heard that her husband had been struck down by an arrow shot by Rāma. She rushed out with her son from her cave-residence. At the sight of Rāma...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Sep 21, 2023

Kiṣkindhā-kāṇḍa - Part 2: Rāma kills Vālī

Sugrīva was immensely pleased with Rāma’s promise but he wanted to make him understand Vālī’s prowess. He said, “Even before the Sun rises, Vālī traverses from...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Sep 14, 2023

Kiṣkindhā-kāṇḍa - Part 1: Rāma meets Hanumān and Sugrīva

Rāma arrived at Lake Pampā that was full of lotus and lilies and was teeming with fish. The mere sight of the lake sent a joyous tremble through his body. But t...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Sep 07, 2023

Araṇya-kāṇḍa Part 7: Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa vanquish Kabandha and meet Śabarī

Though Rāghava was the elder of the two, he immediately accepted the advice of Lakṣmaṇa, recognising the essential truth the latter had spoken. Accordingly, the...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Aug 31, 2023

Araṇya-kāṇḍa Part 6: Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa search for Sītā

As she was being carried away by Rāvaṇa, Sītā was stricken with misery. With her eyes red with anger, she said, “You don’t appear to feel ashamed for performing...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Aug 24, 2023

Araṇya-kāṇḍa Part 5: Rāvaṇa abducts Sītā and injures Jaṭāyu

Back in the āśrama, Sītā heard the cry of distress, which sounded just like her husband and with great anxiety she instructed Lakṣmaṇa, “Go and find out what ha...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Aug 17, 2023

Araṇya-kāṇḍa Part 4: Mārīca Assumes the Forms of a Golden Deer

Rāvaṇa said to the rākṣasa Mārīca, “My dear friend, hear me. I am in immense distress and you are my sole means of solace. You know Janasthāna, where once dwelt...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Aug 10, 2023

Araṇya-kāṇḍa Part 3: Śūrpaṇakhā Mutilated; Khara and his Army Vanquished

As Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa sat along with Sītā in leaf hut engrossed in conversation, a rākṣasī named Śūrpaṇakhā, the sister of the ten-headed rākṣasa Rāvaṇa happened...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Aug 03, 2023

Araṇya-kāṇḍa Part 2: Rāma, Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa enter the Daṇḍakāraṇya

Many sages gathered around Rāma once Śarabhaṅga had ascended to svarga. They told him their plight of being tormented by rākṣasas along River Pampā, Mandākinī,...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jul 28, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 9 and Araṇya-kāṇḍa - Part 1: Meeting Atri and Anasūyā; Virādha vanquished

Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa walked ahead and reached Sage Atri’s āśrama. Rāma prostrated before him and the sage received him like a son. He personally provided ho...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jul 20, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 9 - Bharata returns with Rāma's Pāduka

With the wives of Daśaratha before him, Sage Vasiṣṭha set out to the spot where Rāma was. Kausalyā saw the bathing place of Rāma and was overcome by sorrow. The...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj