॥ श्री राम ॥
The seven books of the Ramayan — each a stage in the journey of dharma.
The Seven Books
The Valmiki Ramayana contains 24,000 shlokas (verses) divided into seven kandas (books) and some 645 sargas (cantos) across the recensions. Select any kanda below to explore it fully — its overview, key events, characters and a signature verse.
Devanagari · ~20,000 verses
Nearly every shloka of the six kandas, in Devanagari, searchable and copyable — a complete reading text. Read the full text →
Book of Childhood · 77 Sargas
Rama's birth, his youthful deeds, the slaying of demons, and marriage to Sita. Sets the spiritual stage. Explore this Kanda →
Bala Kanda · Canto by Canto
Every canto of the first book with its title — from Narada's opening brief to the happy days after the four weddings. Browse all 77 Sargas →
Book of Ayodhya · 119 Sargas
The court intrigue and Rama's exile. Dasharatha's grief and descent. The beginning of the 14 years. Explore this Kanda →
Book of the Forest · 75 Sargas
Life in the wilderness, encounters with demons, the golden deer illusion and Sita's abduction. Explore this Kanda →
Book of the Monkey Kingdom · 67 Sargas
Alliance with Sugriva, vanquishing Vali, and the dispatch of search parties across the earth. Explore this Kanda →
Book of Beauty · 68 Sargas
Hanuman's ocean leap, entry into Lanka, and his meeting with Sita. Considered the heart of the epic. Explore this Kanda →
Book of War · 131 Sargas
The great battle, the bridge, the fall of Ravana, and Sita's trial — the war for dharma. Explore this Kanda →
Book of the Aftermath · 111 Sargas
The coronation of Rama and his reign, the Lava-Kusha division, and the epic's concluding chapters. Explore this Kanda →