Encyclopedia for Epics of Ancient India A - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y

Ramayana

RAMAYANA. [Source: Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology]

Books and contents:

1. Balakanda. The boyhood of Rama.

2. Ayodhyakanda. The scenes at Ayodhya, and the banishment of Rama by his father, King Dasaratha.

3. Aranyakanda. ' Forest section.' Rama's life in the forest, and the rape of Sita by Ravana.

4. Kishkindhyakanda. Rama's residence at Kishkindhya, the capital of his monkey ally, King Sugriva.

5. Sundarakanda. 'Beautiful section.' The marvelous passage of the straits by Rama and his allies and their arrival in Ceylon.

6. Yuddhakanda. 'War section.' The war with Ravana, his defeat and death, the recovery of Sita, the return to Ayodhya and coronation of Rama. This is sometimes called the Lanka or Ceylon Kanda.

7. Uttarakanda. 'Later section.' Rama's life in Ayodhya, his banishment of Sita, the birth of his two sons, his recognition of them and of the innocence of his wife, their reunion, her death, and his translation to heaven.

Modern Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics. Laura Gibbs, Ph.D. The textual material made available at this website is licensed under a Creative Commons License. You must give the original author credit. You may not use this work for commercial purposes. If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under a license identical to this one. No claims are made regarding the status of images used at this website; if you own the copyright privileges to any of these images and believe your copyright privileges have been violated, please contact the webmaster. Page last updated: October 16, 2007 12:22 PM