Ramayana (ENG)

Story Of Tataka “I’ve heard of Tataka,” said Rama curiously, “and I’d like to know more about him. Tell me the story of his life.” Stopping at where they were, the Rishi looked at Rama and … Read More

Rama and Laksmana leave with Visvamitra Visvamitra, Rama, and Laksmana left Ayodhya during the day and went into the forest. The birds, the wind, even the colors seemed to sing the same song of peace and … Read More

Visvamitra’s Arrival It was at that time when the great Visvamitra, the sage of immortal fame who had reached the highest peaks of ascetic perfection, arrived in Ayodhya. His austerities were so severe that the Devas … Read More

Dasaratha’s Four Sons The children were born. Kausalya was the first to give birth, and her son was named Rama. Then Kaikeyi gave birth, and his son was called Bharata. Finally, Sumitra gave birth to twins, … Read More

The Devas Incarnate On Earth Seeing all this from the heights of the heavenly planets, Brahma gathered all the Devas and said to them: “Vishnu wants to help us. For this purpose he has already descended … Read More

Dasaratha’s Wives Pregnancies   “Dasaratha, I was sent by the Devas to fulfill your great desire and need. Brahma himself has commissioned me to give you this divine juice called payasa. Listen to me: make your wives … Read More

The Yajna  And the sacrifice began.  Dasaratha and his queens were at the edge of the arena. They were anxious and worried about the eventual success, but the confidence in the famous ascetic who led the … Read More

Rishyasringa “I would like to tell you the old story about how Sanat Kumara predicted that a great king would appear in your dynasty and that he would be your son. Sanat Kumara said: “Kasyapa will … Read More

Dasaratha’s Desire However, despite having all the opulences a man and a king could desire, Dasaratha was not happy. The reason: he couldn’t have children. He had three wives, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi, three women of … Read More

The Narration Of the Ramayana Begins On the banks of the Sarayu stood the city of Ayodhya, capital of the kingdom of Koshala. The opulences of this kingdom were unspeakable, especially those of its capital. Ayodhya … Read More

  Narada had only told him a summary of the story, and Valmiki felt the need to know all the details. So, he sat down in the yoga position and immersed himself in deep meditation. And … Read More

Valmiki’s Mission One day, after finishing his religious rites and ablutions, the sage returned to the hermitage. And there, radiant with the light of a thousand suns, Brahma, the first being born, the one who designed … Read More

Bala Kanda Narada Muni Narrates the Ramayana to Valmiki Long time ago, when the sacred Veda books were studied, those who desired spiritual realization used to retreat to the sacred places of which India is still … Read More

Acknowledgments We could not conclude this introduction without thanking those who made possible the publication of this book in English: Bhaktin Rosario, Isvara Dasa, Madhavendra Puri Dasa, Isvari Devi Dasi. Without them we would not have … Read More

The Structure Of This Edition The literal translation and full prose version of ancient epic poems is always hard work. We did not want to do one thing or the other. This is not to say … Read More

To Dispel Some Perplexities I am perfectly aware that when I affirm the historicity of the Ramayana, I arouse some perplexities in the minds of the readers. There are, in the narrative, numerous ideas that might … Read More

The Ramayana: Allegory or Historical Event? Not a few have referred to the Ramayana as an allegorical work, thus emptying it of its historical value. Many say that the Ramayana is actually a poetic description of … Read More

Can We Learn Something Practical? Rama was an ideal person. How can we not learn something from him? We can learn to love everyone, but also to vigorously defend those principles that lift the human soul. … Read More