Vālmīki

Epics Mar 08, 2024

Uttara-kāṇḍa - Part 6 - Sītā enters the Earth; Rāma and his brothers return to their Divine Abode

Rāma’s messengers quickly conveyed the message to Sage Vālmīki. The maharṣi said, “So be it! A husband is a wife’s divinity. Sītā will act in a way that Rāghava...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Mar 01, 2024

Uttara-kāṇḍa - Part 5 - Rāma recognises Kuśa and Lava as the sons of Sītā

Lakṣmaṇa described to Rāma the glory of the aśvamedha and narrated the story of Indra vanquishing Vṛtrāsura. Upon performing the aśvamedha to Bhagavān Viṣṇu, In...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Feb 22, 2024

Uttara-kāṇḍa - Part 4 - Śatrughna kills Lavaṇāsura and Sītā gives birth to twin sons

Lakṣmaṇa, whose mind was distressed after dropping off Sītā on the banks of the river Gaṅgā, watched her being taken into the āśrama. He told his counsellor and...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Feb 15, 2024

Uttara-kāṇḍa - Part 3 - Sītā is Abandoned by Rāma and Rescued by Vālmīki

Upon hearing the words of the sage, Rāma said, “There is no match for Hanūmān’s valour, commitment, sincerity, and strength. He found Jānakī in Laṅkā, reduced t...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Feb 09, 2024

Uttara-kāṇḍa - Part 2 - Rāvaṇa's Misdeeds

Even after having been cursed by Anaraṇya, Rāvaṇa continued to torment the worlds. Devarṣi Nārada warned him against it, but the rākṣasa paid no heed to the mun...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Feb 02, 2024

Uttara-kāṇḍa - Part 1 - The Story of Rāvaṇa and his Ancestors

Many ṛṣis from around the world came to congratulate and bless Rāma for his victory against the rākṣasas. The ṛṣis specifically extolled Rāma’s victory over Ind...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jan 25, 2024

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 10 - Rāma returns to Ayodhyā

Maheśvara was extremely pleased hearing the glorious words of Rāghava. He told Rāma, “Thanks to good fortune, you have vanquished your enemy and regained your b...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jan 18, 2024

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 9 - Sītā's Agniparīkṣā

Hanūmān told Rāma, “Queen Maithilī, who has been tormented by grief all this while, was overcome with immense joy upon hearing of your victory. She wishes to se...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jan 12, 2024

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 8 - Rāvaṇa is slain by Rāma and Vibhīṣaṇa is coronated as the King of Laṅkā

As the army of the rākṣasas was routed in the war, the wives of the rākṣasas, who were now widowed were grief-stricken. They huddled together and spoke to each...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jan 04, 2024

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 7 - Indrajit is killed by Lakṣmaṇa

Indrajit quickly understood Rāma’s strategy. The master of illusions placed before him an illusory Sītā and pretended to kill her before his enemies’ eyes. As a...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Dec 29, 2023

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 6 - Kumbhakarṇa vanquished; Indrajit enters the Battlefield

Kumbhakarṇa took a massive form as he marched ahead. His eyes were as large as a cartwheel and he looked like a moving mountain. As he came to the battlefield,...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Dec 21, 2023

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 5 - Kumbhakarṇa Enters the Battlefield

Even as they were watching, there arose a swift wind, hurling water into the ocean, driving away clouds, and seeming to shake the mountains. The wind was being...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Dec 15, 2023

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 4 - Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa fall Unconcious

Rāma observed many portents and advised Lakṣmaṇa that they must attack Rāvaṇa’s city without delay. He descended from the mountain Suvela and inspected his army...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Dec 07, 2023

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 3 - Rāvaṇa tries to deceive Sītā; Rāma's army heads towards Laṅkā's gates

The spies returned to Laṅkā and informed Rāvaṇa that Rāma and his army had camped in the vicinity of Mount Suvela. Rāvaṇa was displeased that the spies had been...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Dec 01, 2023

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 2 - The Bridge is built and Rāma's army crosses the Ocean; Rāvaṇa sends his spies

Upon listening to Hanūmān’s words, Rāma said, “Listen to my view in its entirety. I would, under no circumstance, turn away someone who has come to me seeking f...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Nov 23, 2023

Yuddha-kāṇḍa - Part 1 - Vibhīṣaṇa seeks refuge in Rāma

  Rāma was delighted hearing Hanūmān’s faithful account of the events in Laṅkā. He said, “Hanūmān has executed the tremendous task entrusted to him by his...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Nov 16, 2023

Sundara-kāṇḍa - Part 5 - Hanūmān Returns; Vānaras enjoy in the Madhuvana

Hanūmān flew through the sky which resembled the ocean in all its features. He entered and reemerged from the mass of clouds and resembled the moon, which is al...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Nov 10, 2023

Sundara-kāṇḍa - Part 4 - Hanūmān sets Laṅkā on Fire

Hanūmān grew in size and set forth from there. But as he left, he thought, I have found her, but there is one thing that remains. Among the four upāyas, sāma in...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Nov 02, 2023

Sundara-kāṇḍa - Part 3 - Hanūmān receives Cūḍāmaṇi from Sītā

Hanūmān, who was hiding behind the branches of the tree, had thus seen and heard everything that had taken place there. He thought, ‘I have found Sītā, but I mu...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Oct 26, 2023

Sundara-kāṇḍa - Part 2 - Hanūmān spots Sītā in the Aśoka-vana

Hanūmān looked for Sītā everywhere in the vicinity of the palace. He searched the creeper-covered pavilions, picture galleries, and night rooms, but was unable...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Oct 19, 2023

Sundara-kāṇḍa - Part 1 - Hanūmān crosses the Ocean and searches for Sītā

Hanūmān assumed a body of immeasurable size right in front of the vānaras. Pressed down by the huge vānara, the mountain trembled for a moment which caused the...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Oct 12, 2023

Kiṣkindhā-kāṇḍa - Part 5: Vānaras meet Sampāti and Hanumān leaps across the Ocean

Hanumān, Aṅgada, Tāra, and other vānaras looked for Sītā in all possible places in the direction indicated by Sugrīva. They searched the caves and thickets of t...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

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

Epics Jul 13, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 8 - Bharata meets Rāma

Bharata, the mothers, and the army reached the vicinity of the Citrakūṭa mountain. Bharata observed, “The trees on the mountains scatter their flowers on the mo...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jul 06, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 7 - Bharata meets Guha and Sage Bharadvāja

When Bharata did not find his father, he went to his mother Kaikeyī’s home. When he asked about his father, Kaikeyī merely replied, “Your father has taken the p...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jun 29, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 6 - Daśaratha Breathes his Last and Bharata Arrives in the City

The next morning, Rāma awoke Lakṣmaṇa and they set out into the forest. Rāma enjoyed the beauty of nature and pointed it out to Sītā as well. Spellbound with th...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jun 22, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 5 - Rāma meets Guha and Sage Bharadvāja

As long as the dust raised by Rāma’s chariot was visible, Daśaratha’s height appeared to be increasing, as he strained to catch a last glimpse of his son. He co...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jun 15, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 4 - Rāma Leaves for the Forest

A brāhmaṇa by name Trijaṭa who belonged to the Gārgya-gotra approached Rāma and told him about his poverty. He had many children and subsisted his family throug...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jun 08, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 3 - Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa decide to leave for the forest with Rāma

As he entered his residence, he saw Queen Kausalyā, who was clad in white silk and had spent the night observing a vow. She had performed pūjā to Bhagavān Viṣṇu...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Jun 01, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 2 - Rāma Decides to Leave for the Forest

Daśaratha, having ordered the anointing of Rāma, entered his home to convey the happy news to his queen. To his utter dismay, he saw Kaikeyī, dearer to him than...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics May 25, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa - Part 1 - Preparations for Rāma's Coronation and Mantharā's Evil Counsel

Upon the behest of the king of Kekaya, his maternal grandfather, Bharata went with his uncle Yudhājit to his kingdom. Śatrughna went along with Bharata and King...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics May 18, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla-kāṇḍa - Part 8 - Rāma weds Sītā

  The next morning, Janaka invited Viśvāmitra and the boys to his court. Viśvāmitra requested the king to show the Mighty Bow that he possessed. Janaka th...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics May 11, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla-kāṇḍa - Part 7 -The Story of Viśvāmitra

After listening to the story of the city of Viśālā, the brothers along with Sage Viśvāmitra received Sumati’s hospitality and spent the night there. The next mo...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics May 04, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla-kāṇḍa - Part 6 -The Stories of Umā and Gaṅgā

  As Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa went ahead with the sages, they arrived at the banks of the river Jāhnavī. Upon Rāma’s request, Viśvāmitra started narrating the st...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Apr 27, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla-kāṇḍa - Part 5 - Tāṭakā and the other rākṣasas vanquished; The Story of Viśvāmitra

The next morning, the brothers woke up, bowed down to the confluence of the rivers Sarayū and Jāhnavī and arrived at the region of Maladā and Karūṣā – the regio...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Apr 20, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla-kāṇḍa - Part 4 - The Four Brothers are Born; Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa Accompany Viśvāmitra

When Viṣṇu was about to take birth as the sons of Daśaratha, Brahmā addressed the devas – “You should create powerful beings to assist Viṣṇu. Beget vānaras who...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Apr 13, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa- Bāla-kāṇḍa - Part 3 - Daśaratha performs the Aśvamedha

Daśaratha did not beget children for a long time and craved to have a successor for his lineage. He decided to perform the Aśvamedha upon the consultation of hi...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Apr 07, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa- Bāla-kāṇḍa - Part 2 - Vālmikī writes the Rāmāyaṇa and Rāma listens to its narration

Pleased upon hearing the story of Rāma, the sage Vālmikī eulogised Nārada, bid him farewell, and proceeded to the banks of the river Tamasā. Pointing at the cle...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj

Epics Mar 30, 2023

Rāmāyaṇa- Bāla-kāṇḍa - Part 1 - Saṅkṣepa-rāmāyaṇa - The Epic in a Nut-shell

[Starting this Rāmanavami, every Friday, Prekshaa presents a condensed prose rendering of the Vālmīki-rāmāyaṇa based on the critically constituted text. We atte...

Vālmīki | Trans: Arjun Bharadwaj