Kishkindha Kanda

Rama's poignant lamentation at Pampa Lake in spring. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 1.

Sugriva spots armed princes and flees in terror to Rishyamooka. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 2.

Hanuman approaches princes in guise of a celibate Brahmin. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 3.

Rama marvels at Hanuman's flawless grammar and mastery of Vedas. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 4.

Hanuman carries Rama & Lakshmana on his shoulders to Sugriva. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 5.

Sugriva reveals Sita's bundle of ornaments dropped from sky. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 6.

Lakshmana recognizes only the anklets (Nupura); Rama weeps. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 7.

Sacred fire witness (Agni Sakshi) friendship between Rama and Sugriva. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 8.

Sugriva narrates the origin of enmity with elder brother Vali. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 9.

Story of demon Mayavi; cave sealed; Vali banishes Sugriva. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 10.

Vali's slaying of buffalo demon Dundubhi; Sage Matanga's curse. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 11.

Rama kicks Dundubhi's skeleton 10 Yojanas away with His toe. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 12.

Rama shoots one arrow piercing Seven Sala Trees (Sapta Tala). Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 13.

Sugriva roars challenging Vali at gates of Kishkindha. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 14.

Tara restrains Vali, warning him of Rama's divine alliance. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 15.

Vali rejects Tara's counsel and rushes into fierce duel. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 16.

Rama shoots Vali from behind a tree; Vali falls mortally struck. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 17.

Vali censures Rama; Rama expounds eternal royal Dharma and justice. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 18.

Tara rushes weeping to dying Vali on battlefield. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 19.

Tara laments bitterly touching her fallen husband. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 20.

Hanuman consoles grieving Tara with philosophical wisdom. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 21.

Vali entrusts son Angada and kingdom to Sugriva; passes away. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 22.

Mourning of entire Vanara kingdom. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 23.

Sugriva repents in profound sorrow; desires self-immolation. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 24.

Rama consoles Sugriva; Vali's royal cremation rites performed. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 25.

Sugriva crowned King of Kishkindha; Angada made Crown Prince. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 26.

Rama and Lakshmana dwell in cave at Mount Prasravana for rainy season. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 27.

Rama's poetic description of the monsoon (Varsha Ritu). Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 28.

Hanuman reminds pleasure-absorbed Sugriva of his sacred pledge. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 29.

Autumn arrives; Rama laments seeing Sugriva forgetful of Sita. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 30.

Enraged Lakshmana enters Kishkindha with twanging bow. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 31.

Sugriva sends Tara to pacify furious Lakshmana. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 32.

Lakshmana enters inner palace; Tara explains Sugriva's mobilization. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 33.

Lakshmana forgives Sugriva upon seeing his humility and devotion. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 34.

Tara describes Sugriva's summons to millions of Vanara legions. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 35.

Sugriva rides with Lakshmana to Mount Prasravana to meet Rama. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 36.

Billions of Vanaras, bears, and langurs assemble at Prasravana. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 37.

Rama embraces Sugriva; joyful royal audience. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 38.

Sugriva organizes global search parties for four cardinal directions. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 39.

Sugriva instructs Vinata's search party for the Eastern Quarter. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 40.

Sugriva instructs Angada and Hanuman for the Southern Quarter. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 41.

Sugriva instructs Sushena's search party for the Western Quarter. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 42.

Sugriva instructs Shatabali's search party for the Northern Quarter. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 43.

Rama gives His Signet Ring (Anguleeyaka) to Hanuman. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 44.

Rama marvels at Sugriva's encyclopedic knowledge of world geography. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 45.

All four search armies march out under one-month deadline. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 46.

East, West, and North armies return empty-handed after one month. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 47.

Southern search party scours Vindhya forests and caves. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 48.

Searching the dark cave of demon Ashwamukhi. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 49.

Vanaras enter the mysterious subterranean Golden Cave (Riksha Bila). Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 50.

Meeting ascetic yogini Swayamprabha in the golden city. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 51.

Swayamprabha miraculously transports Vanaras to southern ocean shore. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 52.

One-month deadline expired; Angada resolves to fast unto death (Prayopavesha). Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 53.

Tara advises returning to subterranean cave; Angada refutes. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 54.

All southern Vanaras sit on Kusha grass awaiting death. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 55.

Old vulture Sampati (elder brother of Jatayu) emerges from cave. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 56.

Angada recounts Jatayu's martyrdom; Sampati weeps for brother. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 57.

Sampati reveals with celestial vision: 'Sita is in Lanka across 100 Yojanas ocean'. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 58.

Sampati narrates how his son Suparshwa saw Ravana carrying Sita. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 59.

Story of Sage Nishakara; prophecy that Sampati will aid Rama's mission. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 60.

Sampati narrates losing wings while protecting Jatayu from blazing Sun. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 61.

Nishakara's blessing; Sampati's wings instantly regrow. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 62.

Sampati flies joyfully into sky; Vanaras reach the roaring ocean shore. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 63.

Vanaras despair looking at the boundless, storm-tossed ocean. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 64.

Angada inquires of each warrior's jumping capacity (10, 20, 50, 90 Yojanas). Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 65.

Jambavan awakens Hanuman to his cosmic birth and infinite power. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 66.

Hanuman expands His cosmic form (Mahakaya) and roars atop Mount Mahendra. Traditional canonical recitation of Kishkindha Kanda Sarga 67.