Bala Kanda
Valmiki and the First Ramayana
Before the Ramayana became a story recited in homes, temples, theatres, and village squares, it began with a question. Sage Valmiki had…
Ayodhya and King Dasharatha
Long before Ram walked its streets, Ayodhya stood beside the Sarayu River in the ancient land of Kosala. It was a great city, founded by…
Rishyasringa Comes to Ayodhya
The palace at Ayodhya had everything except the sound of children. King Dasharatha had wealth, loyal counsellors, and a city that flourished…
The Birth of Ram and His Brothers
The fire on the Sarayu bank was still burning when, far above it, the devas came before Brahma with a trouble of their own. Ravana, ruler of…
Vishvamitra Asks for Ram
Ram and his brothers had grown into thoughtful young princes when Sage Vishvamitra walked into King Dasharatha's court. Dasharatha came down…
Vishvamitra, Tataka, and the Celestial Weapons
The road passed a quiet place remembered for an old story of Kama. Beyond it the trees grew tangled and the villages stood empty…
Ram Protects Vishvamitra's Ceremony
At Siddhashrama, Ram and Lakshman asked what they must do. The hermits explained that Vishvamitra would begin his observance and remain…
Kusanabha's Hundred Daughters
The ceremony at Siddhashrama was finished. Vishvamitra, Ram, Lakshman, and the people of the hermitage now travelled towards Mithila. The…
Sagara, Bhagiratha, and the Descent of Ganga
Farther along the road, beside the Ganga herself, Vishvamitra told the river's long story. Ganga and Uma were remembered as daughters of the…
The Churning of the Ocean and the Birth of the Maruts
As the travellers continued toward Mithila, Vishvamitra told Ram and Lakshman why the place they had reached was called Vishala. Its history…
Diti and the Maruts
The amrita had been shared out. The devas had won, and Indra held authority in heaven again. But winning had not ended every grief. Diti was…
Ahalya's Seclusion and Restoration
After leaving King Sumati's city, the travellers came within sight of Mithila. Near the road stood an old hermitage. Its paths were…
Vishvamitra's Long Journey
King Janaka welcomed Vishvamitra, Ram, and Lakshman to Mithila. Among those present was Shatananda, the son of Gautama and Ahalya. Relieved…
Trishanku's Heaven
Shatananda went on. Vishvamitra was no longer a king. He was an ascetic now, and he wanted to be called a sage. But his practice kept…
Shunashepa and the Brahmarshi
Trishanku's story ended, but Shatananda did not stop. Some years later a boy came running towards Vishvamitra's hermitage. His name was…
Ram Lifts Shiva's Bow and the Four Weddings
When Shatananda finished Vishvamitra's history, the sage told King Janaka why the princes had come. Ram and Lakshman wished to see the…
The Four Weddings of Mithila
The bow had broken and the hall had not yet gone quiet. Janaka declared that the condition was fulfilled. But Vishvamitra raised a hand and…
Ram and Parashurama's Challenge
After the weddings, Dasharatha's company left Mithila for Ayodhya. The four new couples travelled with relatives, teachers, attendants, and…
The Families Return
Parashurama had gone towards the mountain. The dust had settled. The road was open again. Dasharatha's company travelled on to Ayodhya. The…