Ramayana - Complete Story of Shri Ram

Ramayana - Complete Story of Shri Ram The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of Hindu literature (the other being the Mahabharata). Written by Maharishi Valmiki in Sanskrit, it tells the story of Prince Rama of Ayodhya. Goswami Tulsidas later wrote Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, making it accessible to common people. Bal Kand - The Childhood of Ram King Dashrath of Ayodhya performed the Putreshti Yagya to have children. Lord Vishnu incarnated as four sons - Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna. Ram was born on the ninth day of Chaitra month (Ram Navami). Under Guru Vishwamitra's guidance, Ram and Lakshman learned warfare and protected the yagya from demons. Ram killed the demoness Tadaka. In Mithila, Ram broke Shiva's bow (Pinaka) and won Sita's swayamvar. Ayodhya Kand - The Exile King Dashrath wanted to crown Ram as king, but Queen Kaikeyi demanded two boons - Bharat as king and Ram's 14-year exile. Ram, ever-obedient, accepted his exile. Sita and Lakshman also went with him. Aranya Kand - The Forest In the forest of Dandakaranya, Ram and Sita met many sages. The demoness Surpanakha tried to seduce Ram, and Lakshman cut off her nose and ears. Surpanakha went to her brother Ravan and described Sita's beauty. Ravan sent Maricha as a golden deer. Sita asked Ram to catch the deer. When Ram left, Ravan came disguised as a sage and abducted Sita. The vulture Jatayu tried to save Sita but was mortally wounded by Ravan. Kishkindha Kand - Meeting with Hanuman On Mount Rishyamuk, Ram met Hanuman. Through Hanuman, Ram befriended Sugriv and killed Vali, helping Sugriv regain his kingdom. In return, Sugriv's army searched for Sita. Sundar Kand - Hanuman's Journey to Lanka Hanuman crossed the ocean with a mighty leap to Lanka. He found Sita in Ashoka Vatika and gave her Ram's ring. He burned Lanka with his tail (Lanka Dahan) and returned with news of Sita. Yuddha Kand - The War Ram's army built the Ram Setu (bridge over the ocean) with help of vanara sena. The great war happened in Lanka. Ram killed many demons including Kumbhkarna and Indrajit. Finally, Ram killed the ten-headed Ravan with the Brahmastra. Sita's Agni Pariksha took place to prove her purity. Ram, Sita, and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya in the Pushpak Viman. The whole of Ayodhya was lit up with lamps - this is celebrated as Diwali. Uttar Kand - Ram Rajya Ram was crowned as king and established Ram Rajya - a kingdom of perfect justice, prosperity, and happiness. This period is considered the golden age of human civilization.