Scripture contents · ग्रंथ सूची

Ramayana

The Valmiki Ramayana — Adi Kavya, the first poem (~24,000 shlokas, 7 Kandas). Born from shoka (grief) becoming shloka (verse). Complete Gita Press edition (~6191 pages). Each Kanda is a study in a facet of dharmic life: Bala (ideal character), Ayodhya (equanimity and servant leadership — Bharata's sandals), Aranya (dharma's reciprocity, Jatayu's sacrifice), Kishkindha (alliance, Tara's lament on moral complexity), Sundara (single-pointed purpose; Sita's inner sovereignty), Yuddha (war as duty; learn from your enemy — Ravana's dying teaching), Uttara (the tragedy of public vs private dharma).

Attributed to Valmiki