Ramayana of Valmiki

About the Book The epic Ramayana of Valmiki describes elaborately for the first time the exploits of Rama who assumed a human form as an incarnation of Vis for the destruction of the demon king Rivage. The Ramayana epic is divided into six hindus or chapters. namely the Billa Kands, the early life of Rime the Ayodhya Kandis he life of Rama in Ayodhya before his exile. the Aranya Kondo, the Rama's forest life during his exile; the Kişkinchi Kondo, Rāma's friendship with Sugriva and search of Sha in differ ear directions by the vivaras (monkeys) the Sundara Kondo, Hanuman's exploits and his discovery of Sha in Ravana's Asoka vana at Lark; the Yuddha Kändo, the fight between Rāma and Rāvana, Ravana's defeat and death and Sita's recovery and the Uttara Kando, the later life of Rama as king of Ayodhya.

About the Author Dr Narasingha Charan Panda (Dr N.C. Panda), Professor of Sanskrit, Vishveshvaranand Vishvabandhu Institute of Sanskrit and Indological Studies Panjab University, Sadhu Ashram, Hoshiarpur, is well-known in the field of Indological Research, who combines in him a comprehensive understanding of scholarly issues, impartial judgment and an exemplary clarity of expression.

After Graduation (B.A. Sanskrit Hons.) from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar & Post graduation & M.Phil.,(Indian Philosophy) degrees from Kurukshetra University, he obtained Ph.D. Degree in Vedic Studies from Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Presently, Dr Panda is the Associate Editor of Vishveshvaranand Indological Research Journal of Panjab University. As an ardent scholar and a successful researcher of Indology, he has contributed a number of learned Research papers (63 Papers Published with ISSN Nos), & has written & edited some valuable books with ISBN Nos. viz.: 1. Perspectives of Indian Thought; 2.Upadesasahasri (Revised & Ed.); 3. Buddhism (Compiled & Ed.); 4. Kalatattva kosha, Vols. V & VI (Ed.); 5. Saundaryalahari (Critically Edited); 6. Samkhya-karika (Ed.); 7. Mahavamsa (Ed.); 8. Aspects of Vedanta (Ed.); 9. Essays on the Gita (Ed.); 10. Life of Buddha (Compiled & Ed.); 11. Gods & Goddesses in Indian Art & Literature; 12. Architecture of Manasara (Text & Eng. Trans. Ed.); 13. Yajur-Veda (Ed. with Comm.& Eng. Tr.); 14. Vaastu Shastra; 15. Indian Temple Architecture (Ed.); 16. Moral Ethics in Buddhism; 17. Orissan Temple Architecture; 18. Karma & Rebirth in Buddhism;19. Meditation & Nirvana in Buddhism; 20. Durga Saptasati (Seven Comm., with Eng. Tr.); 21.Thirteen Principal Upanishads; 22. Pauranic Itihas Vimarsha(Ed).

Preface The Ramayana is a great epic of the mankind. It is also known as Adikävya (First Epic), written by the Adi-kavi (first poet) Valmiki. This famous Indian epic deals with social, moral, political, spiritual and philosophical aspects of human life, be sides principally narrating the story of Rama, an incarnation of Lord Visnu.

The Ramayana is highly popular epic which has become the property of the Indian people and it is not an exaggeration if it is said that it has influenced more than any other poem the thought and poetry of a nation for thousands of years. People in different walks of life are all quite familiar with the characters and stories of the great epic. In the eyes of Indians Rama is the ideal prince, the embodiment of all conceivable virtue and Sita the ideal of conjugal love and fidelity, the highest virtue of women. Popular sayings and proverbs bear unmistakable testimony to the acquaintance of the Indian people with the stories of the epic. Preachers belonging to different sects draw upon the story of the epic at the time of the religious discourses meant for the mass.

The teachings of Rāmāyaṇa are practical and, therefore, easily comprehended. In the Rāmāyaṇa, we find cut and dried solutions for the abstract mysteries of life. The reader finds for himself how ideal brothers (Bharata and Lakṣmaṇa), an ideal husband (Rama) and the ideal wife (Sita), an ideal devotee worker (Hanuman), an ideal son (Rama) and even an ideal king (Rama) should behave in life.

Introduction The Story of Rama in Valmiki's Rāmāyana The epic Ramayana of Valmiki describes elaborately for the first time the exploits of Rama who assumed a human form as an avatara of Vişnu for the destruction of the asura king Ravana. The Rāmāyaṇa story is divided into six kända or chapters namely the Bala Kanda, the early life of Rama; the Ayodhya Kanda, the life of Räma in Ayodhya before his exile; the Aranya Kanda, the Rama's forest life during his exile; the Kişkindhä Kända, Rama's friendship with Sugriva and search of Sită in different directions by the monkeys: the Sundara Kanda, Hanuman's exploits and his discovery of Sita in Ravana's Aśoka vana forest at Lanka; the Yuddha Kanda, the fight between Räma and Ravana, Ravana's de feat and death and Sita's recovery and the Uttara Kanda, the later life of Rama as king of Ayodhyā.

1. Båla Kända The story of Rāmāyaṇa completed by Valmiki in the form of peom and sung by two ascetic boys, Lava and Kuśa, who were actually the sons of Rama, though they did not know of it at that time as the irony of fate. These two ascetic boys sang it in the assemblies of men and sages and also in the presence of Rama, when these two boys accompained Valmiki to Rama's Asvamedha sacrifice.

**Contents and Sample Pages**