The Ramayana is one of the most revered ancient Indian epics, traditionally attributed to the sage Valmiki. It narrates the life of Lord Rama, his exile, the abduction of his wife Sita by Ravana, and his eventual return to Ayodhya.
The Ramayana consists of 7 Kandas (books or sections), which are further divided into 500 Sargas (chapters) and approximately 24,000 Shlokas (verses). Here’s a breakdown of the Kandas:
- Bal Kanda (Book of Childhood) – It covers Rama’s birth, his youthful adventures, and his marriage to Sita.
- Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya) – This section describes Rama’s exile and his departure from the kingdom.
- Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) – It narrates Rama’s life in the forest and the abduction of Sita by Ravana.
- Kishkindha Kanda (Book of Kishkindha) – This section focuses on Rama’s alliance with Hanuman and Sugriva.
- Sundara Kanda (Book of Beauty) – This part highlights Hanuman’s journey to Lanka in search of Sita.
- Yuddha Kanda (Book of War) – It describes the epic battle between Rama and Ravana, leading to Sita’s rescue.
- Uttara Kanda (Book of the Aftermath) – It covers Rama’s return to Ayodhya and his reign as king.
These seven sections together form the timeless epic, imparting lessons on dharma (righteousness), devotion, and moral values.