Aranya Kanda
Life in the Dandaka forest, protection of hermits, the golden deer illusion, abduction of Sita by Ravana, and the martyrdom of Jatayu.
Dispels fear of evil spirits, cures spiritual blindness, and grants unshakeable faith during periods of exile and hardship.
Sarga 1: Entry into Dandakaranya; Sages seek Rama's protection
Entry into Dandakaranya; Sages seek Rama's protection. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 1.
Sarga 2: Encounter with fierce demon Viradha
Encounter with fierce demon Viradha. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 2.
Sarga 3: Viradha seizes Sita; Rama and Lakshmana attack him
Viradha seizes Sita; Rama and Lakshmana attack him. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 3.
Sarga 4: Slaying and burial of Viradha; liberation of Gandharva Tumburu
Slaying and burial of Viradha; liberation of Gandharva Tumburu. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 4.
Sarga 5: Arrival at Sage Sharabhanga's Ashrama; Sharabhanga's ascension
Arrival at Sage Sharabhanga's Ashrama; Sharabhanga's ascension. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 5.
Sarga 6: Hermits appeal for protection from flesh-eating rakshasas
Hermits appeal for protection from flesh-eating rakshasas. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 6.
Sarga 7: Arrival at Sage Sutikshna's Ashrama
Arrival at Sage Sutikshna's Ashrama. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 7.
Sarga 8: Rama spends night at Sutikshna's hermitage
Rama spends night at Sutikshna's hermitage. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 8.
Sarga 9: Sita counsels Rama on Ahimsa and weapon restraint
Sita counsels Rama on Ahimsa and weapon restraint. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 9.
Sarga 10: Rama's resolute pledge to protect sages from demons
Rama's resolute pledge to protect sages from demons. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 10.
Sarga 11: Journey through Dandakaranya; story of Sage Mandakarni & Agastya's brother
Journey through Dandakaranya; story of Sage Mandakarni & Agastya's brother. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 11.
Sarga 12: Arrival at Sage Agastya's glorious hermitage
Arrival at Sage Agastya's glorious hermitage. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 12.
Sarga 13: Agastya gifts divine Vishnu bow, Brahma arrow & inexhaustible quivers
Agastya gifts divine Vishnu bow, Brahma arrow & inexhaustible quivers. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 13.
Sarga 14: Meeting noble vulture king Jatayu on way to Panchavati
Meeting noble vulture king Jatayu on way to Panchavati. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 14.
Sarga 15: Building the leafy cottage at Panchavati on Godavari
Building the leafy cottage at Panchavati on Godavari. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 15.
Sarga 16: Lakshmana describes the cold beauty of Hemanta season
Lakshmana describes the cold beauty of Hemanta season. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 16.
Sarga 17: Arrival of demoness Shurpanakha; her lustful advances
Arrival of demoness Shurpanakha; her lustful advances. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 17.
Sarga 18: Lakshmana severs Shurpanakha's nose and ears
Lakshmana severs Shurpanakha's nose and ears. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 18.
Sarga 19: Shurpanakha wails before demon brother Khara
Shurpanakha wails before demon brother Khara. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 19.
Sarga 20: Khara dispatches 14 fierce rakshasas; Rama slays them all
Khara dispatches 14 fierce rakshasas; Rama slays them all. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 20.
Sarga 21: Shurpanakha incites Khara with 14,000 warrior army
Shurpanakha incites Khara with 14,000 warrior army. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 21.
Sarga 22: Khara marches with 14,000 rakshasas towards Panchavati
Khara marches with 14,000 rakshasas towards Panchavati. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 22.
Sarga 23: Ominous portents appear; Rama readies His bow
Ominous portents appear; Rama readies His bow. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 23.
Sarga 24: Rama sends Lakshmana and Sita to mountain cave; stands alone
Rama sends Lakshmana and Sita to mountain cave; stands alone. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 24.
Sarga 25: Fierce battle begins; Rama annihilates vanguard
Fierce battle begins; Rama annihilates vanguard. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 25.
Sarga 26: Slaying of demon general Dushana
Slaying of demon general Dushana. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 26.
Sarga 27: Slaying of demon warrior Trishiras
Slaying of demon warrior Trishiras. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 27.
Sarga 28: Khara attacks Rama with shower of celestial weapons
Khara attacks Rama with shower of celestial weapons. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 28.
Sarga 29: Rama shatters Khara's chariot and bow
Rama shatters Khara's chariot and bow. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 29.
Sarga 30: Rama slays Khara with Brahmastra; Sages and Sita rejoice
Rama slays Khara with Brahmastra; Sages and Sita rejoice. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 30.
Sarga 31: Akampana escapes and informs Ravana in Lanka
Akampana escapes and informs Ravana in Lanka. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 31.
Sarga 32: Ravana's majestic and terrifying court description
Ravana's majestic and terrifying court description. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 32.
Sarga 33: Shurpanakha rebukes Ravana for negligence and hedonism
Shurpanakha rebukes Ravana for negligence and hedonism. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 33.
Sarga 34: Shurpanakha describes Rama's valor & Sita's peerless beauty
Shurpanakha describes Rama's valor & Sita's peerless beauty. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 34.
Sarga 35: Ravana flies across ocean to Maricha's hermitage
Ravana flies across ocean to Maricha's hermitage. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 35.
Sarga 36: Maricha counsels Ravana against confronting Sri Rama
Maricha counsels Ravana against confronting Sri Rama. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 36.
Sarga 37: Maricha describes Rama's righteousness and invincible arrow
Maricha describes Rama's righteousness and invincible arrow. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 37.
Sarga 38: Maricha recalls being hurled into ocean by Rama's shaft
Maricha recalls being hurled into ocean by Rama's shaft. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 38.
Sarga 39: Maricha warns Ravana of total destruction of Lanka
Maricha warns Ravana of total destruction of Lanka. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 39.
Sarga 40: Ravana rejects Maricha's advice and threatens death
Ravana rejects Maricha's advice and threatens death. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 40.
Sarga 41: Maricha chooses death by Rama's arrow over Ravana
Maricha chooses death by Rama's arrow over Ravana. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 41.
Sarga 42: Maricha assumes form of dazzling Golden Deer (Maya Mriga)
Maricha assumes form of dazzling Golden Deer (Maya Mriga). Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 42.
Sarga 43: Sita becomes captivated by Golden Deer; Rama goes to hunt it
Sita becomes captivated by Golden Deer; Rama goes to hunt it. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 43.
Sarga 44: Rama slays Maricha; Maricha cries out 'Ha Sita! Ha Lakshmana!'
Rama slays Maricha; Maricha cries out 'Ha Sita! Ha Lakshmana!'. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 44.
Sarga 45: Sita's harsh words force Lakshmana to leave cottage
Sita's harsh words force Lakshmana to leave cottage. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 45.
Sarga 46: Ravana approaches cottage in guise of a sannyasin
Ravana approaches cottage in guise of a sannyasin. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 46.
Sarga 47: Sita offers hospitality; Ravana reveals identity and proposes marriage
Sita offers hospitality; Ravana reveals identity and proposes marriage. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 47.
Sarga 48: Sita roars in fury praising Rama's lion-like glory
Sita roars in fury praising Rama's lion-like glory. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 48.
Sarga 49: Ravana abducts Sita by force into his flying chariot (Pushpaka)
Ravana abducts Sita by force into his flying chariot (Pushpaka). Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 49.
Sarga 50: Sita spots King Jatayu resting on tree and cries for help
Sita spots King Jatayu resting on tree and cries for help. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 50.
Sarga 51: Jatayu attacks Ravana, shattering chariot, bow, and crown
Jatayu attacks Ravana, shattering chariot, bow, and crown. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 51.
Sarga 52: Ravana severs Jatayu's wings; flies away carrying weeping Sita
Ravana severs Jatayu's wings; flies away carrying weeping Sita. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 52.
Sarga 53: Sita curses Ravana as they fly across southern skies
Sita curses Ravana as they fly across southern skies. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 53.
Sarga 54: Sita drops her yellow silk shawl and jewels among five Vanaras on Rishyamooka
Sita drops her yellow silk shawl and jewels among five Vanaras on Rishyamooka. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 54.
Sarga 55: Ravana places Sita in his golden palace in Lanka
Ravana places Sita in his golden palace in Lanka. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 55.
Sarga 56: Sita rejects Ravana with blade of grass; banished to Ashoka Vatika
Sita rejects Ravana with blade of grass; banished to Ashoka Vatika. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 56.
Sarga 57: Rama meets Lakshmana returning alone; fears the worst
Rama meets Lakshmana returning alone; fears the worst. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 57.
Sarga 58: Rama rushes to empty cottage; laments inconsolably
Rama rushes to empty cottage; laments inconsolably. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 58.
Sarga 59: Rama wanders searching trees, rivers, and deer for Sita
Rama wanders searching trees, rivers, and deer for Sita. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 59.
Sarga 60: Rama's mad grief; inquires of mountains and Godavari
Rama's mad grief; inquires of mountains and Godavari. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 60.
Sarga 61: Lakshmana attempts to console weeping Rama
Lakshmana attempts to console weeping Rama. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 61.
Sarga 62: Rama laments Sita's gentle virtues and helpless fate
Rama laments Sita's gentle virtues and helpless fate. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 62.
Sarga 63: Rama threatens to destroy all three worlds with astras
Rama threatens to destroy all three worlds with astras. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 63.
Sarga 64: Lakshmana pacifies Rama, preaching patience and cosmic law
Lakshmana pacifies Rama, preaching patience and cosmic law. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 64.
Sarga 65: Brothers discover shattered chariot, broken bow, and blood
Brothers discover shattered chariot, broken bow, and blood. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 65.
Sarga 66: Rama prepares blazing arrow; Lakshmana restrains Him
Rama prepares blazing arrow; Lakshmana restrains Him. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 66.
Sarga 67: Finding dying Jatayu; Jatayu narrates abduction by Ravana
Finding dying Jatayu; Jatayu narrates abduction by Ravana. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 67.
Sarga 68: Jatayu passes away in Rama's lap; Rama performs funeral rites
Jatayu passes away in Rama's lap; Rama performs funeral rites. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 68.
Sarga 69: Entry into Krauncharanya; encounter with demon Ayomukhi
Entry into Krauncharanya; encounter with demon Ayomukhi. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 69.
Sarga 70: Encounter with headless monster Kabandha
Encounter with headless monster Kabandha. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 70.
Sarga 71: Rama and Lakshmana sever Kabandha's giant arms
Rama and Lakshmana sever Kabandha's giant arms. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 71.
Sarga 72: Kabandha reveals former Gandharva identity and instructs meeting Sugriva
Kabandha reveals former Gandharva identity and instructs meeting Sugriva. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 72.
Sarga 73: Kabandha describes the route to Pampa Lake and Rishyamooka
Kabandha describes the route to Pampa Lake and Rishyamooka. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 73.
Sarga 74: Arrival at Matanga Ashrama; devotion and liberation of Shabari
Arrival at Matanga Ashrama; devotion and liberation of Shabari. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 74.
Sarga 75: Arrival at divine Pampa Lake; description of spring season
Arrival at divine Pampa Lake; description of spring season. Traditional canonical recitation of Aranya Kanda Sarga 75.