Contents

Rmyan Of Vlmki

Ralph T. H. Griffith, M. A.,

[1870-1874]


This is the first complete public domain translation of the Ramayana to be placed online.
The Ramayana is one of the two epic Hindu poems, the other being the Mahabharata.
The Ramayana describes a love story between Rama, an ancient King, and Sita, who is captured by Ravan, the King of Ceylon.
Rama lays siege to Ceylon and wins back Sita.
The parallels to the Iliad are obvious, but the details are very different.

This verse translation by Griffith, whose translations of the Rig Veda and the Sama Veda are also available at sacred-texts, was scanned in 2000 from an original copy, which had very poor typesetting.
Due to the difficulty of converting this 600 page text to etext, the project was put on hold for several years until OCR technology matured.
Finally in 2003, the text was OCR-ed and proofed at Distributed Proofing.
However, despite best efforts, there are several places in this text where the proofing was difficult or impossible. These are indicated by asterisks or ("illegible").
We are in the process of cleaning up these issues and hope to have a definitive version of this text at some point.
In the meantime we hope you enjoy this epic, which is one of the most popular tales of Indian mythology.

Title Page


Title Page

Invocation


Invocation

Book I


Book I

Canto I: Nrad.

Canto II: Brahm's Visit

Canto III.: The Argument.

Canto IV.: The Rhapsodists.

Canto V.: Ayodhy

Canto VI.: The King.

Canto VII.: The Ministers.

Canto VIII.: Sumantra's Speech.

Canto IX.: Rishyas'ring.

Canto X.: Rishyas'ring Invited.

Canto XI: The Sacrifice Decreed.

Canto XII.: The Sacrifice Begun.

Canto XIII.: The Sacrifice Finished.

Canto XIV.: Rvan Doomed.

Canto XV.: The Nectar.

Canto XVI.: The Vnars.

Canto XVII.: Rishyas'ring's Return.

Canto XVIII.: Rishyas'ring's Departure.

Canto XIX.: The Birth of The Princes.

Canto XX.: Vis'vmitra's Visit.

Canto XXI.: Vis'vmitra's Speech.

Canto XXII.: Das'aratha's Speech.

Canto XXIII.: Vas'ishtha's Speech.

Canto XXIV.: The Spells.

Canto XXV.: The Hermitage of Love.

Canto XXVI.: The Forest of Tdak.

Canto XXVII.: The Birth of Tdak.

Canto XXVIII.: The Death of Tdak

Canto XXIX. : The Celestial Arms.

Canto XXX.: The Mysterious Powers.

Canto XXXI: The Perfect Hermitage.

Canto XXXII.: Vis'vmitra's Sacrifice.

Canto XXXIII.: The Sone.

Canto XXXIV.: Brahmadatta.

Canto XXXV: Visvmitra's Lineage.

Canto XXXVI.: The Birth of Gang.

Canto XXXIX.: The Sons of Sagar.

Canto XL.: The Cleaving of The Earth.

Canto XLI.: Kapil.

Canto XLII.: Sagar's Sacrifice.

Canto XLIII.: Bhagirath.

Canto XLIV.: The Descent of Gang.

Canto XLV.: The Quest of The Amrit.

Canto XLVI.: Diti's Hope.

Canto XLVII.: Sumat.

Canto XLVIII.: Indra And Ahaly

Canto XLIX.: Ahaly Freed.

Canto L.: Janak.

Canto LI.: Vis'vmitra.

Canto LII.: Vas'ishtha's Feast.

Canto LIII.: Vis'vmitra's Request.

Canto LIV.: The Battle.

Canto LV.: The Hermitage Burnt.

Canto LVI.: Vis'vmitra's Vow.

Canto LVII.: Tris'anku.

Canto LVIII.: Tris'anku Cursed.

Canto LIX.: The Sons of Vas'ishtha.

Canto LX.: Tris'anku's Ascension.

Canto LXI: S'unahs'epha.

Canto LXII.: Ambaresha's Sacrifice.

Canto LXIII.: Menak.

Canto LXIV.: Rambh.

Canto LXV.: Vis'vmitra's Triumph

Canto LXVI.: Janak's Speech.

Canto LXVII.: The Breaking of The Bow.

Canto LXVIII.: The Envoys' Speech.

Canto LXIX.: Das'aratha's Visit.

Canto LXX.: The Maidens Sought.

Canto LXXI.: Janak's Pedigree.

Canto LXXII.: The Gift of Kine.

Canto LXXIII.: The Nuptials.

Canto LXXIV.: Rma With The Axe.

Canto LXXV.: The Parle.

Canto LXXVI.: Debarred From Heaven.

Canto LXXVII.: Bharat's Departure.

Book Ii


Book II

Canto I.: The Heir Apparent.

Canto II.: The People's Speech.

Canto III.: Das'aratha's Precepts.

Canto IV.: Rma Summoned.

Canto V.: Rma's Fast.

Canto VI.: The City Decorated.

Canto VII.: Manthar's Lament.

Canto VIII: Manthar's Speech.

Canto IX.: The Plot.

Canto X.: Das'aratha's Speech.

Canto XI.: The Queen's Demand.

Canto XII.: Dasaratha's Lament.

Canto XIII.: Das'aratha's Distress.

Canto XIV.: Rma Summoned.

Canto XV.: The Preparations.

Canto XVI.: Rma Summoned.

Canto XVII.: Rma's Approach.

Canto XVIII.: The Sentence.

Canto XIX.: Rma's Promise.

Canto XX.: Kaus'aly's Lament.

Canto XXI.: Kaus'aly Calmed.

Canto XXII.: Lakshman Calmed.

Canto XXIII.: Lakshman's Anger.

Canto XXIV.: Kaus'aly Calmed.

Canto XXV.: Kaus'alya's Blessing.

Canto XXVI.: Alone With Sit

Canto XXVII.: St's Speech.

Canto XXVIII.: The Dangers of The Wood.

Canto XXIX.: St's Appeal.

Canto XXX.: The Triumph of Love.

Canto XXXI.: Lakshman's Prayer.

Canto XXXII.: The Gift of The Treasures.

Canto XXXIII.: The People's Lament.

Canto XXXIV.: Rma In The Palace.

Canto XXXV.: Kaikey Reproached.

Canto XXXVI.: Siddhrth's Speech.

Canto XXXVII.: The Coats of Bark.

Canto Xxxviii.: Care For Kaus'aly

Canto XXXIX.: Counsel To St.

Canto XL.: Rma's Departure.

Canto XLI.: The Citizens' Lament.

Canto XLII.: Das'aratha's Lament.

Canto XLIII.: Kaus'aly's Lament.

Canto XLIV.: Sumitra's Speech.

Canto XLV.: The Tamas.

Canto XLVI.: The Halt.

Canto XLVII.: The Citizens' Return.

Canto XLVIII.: The Women's Lament.

Canto XLIX.: The Crossing of The Rivers.

Canto L.: The Halt Under The Ingud.

Canto LI.: Lakshman's Lament.

Canto LII.: The Crossing of Gang.

Canto LIII.: Rma's Lament.

Canto LIV.: Bharadvja's Hermitage.

Canto LV.: The Passage of Yamun.

Canto LVI.: Chitrakuta.

Canto LVII.: Sumantra's Return.

Canto LVIII.: Rma's Message.

Canto LIX: Das'aratha's Lament.

Canto LX.: Kaus'aly Consoled.

Canto LXI.: Kauslaya's Lament.

Canto LXII.: Das'aratha Consoled.

Canto LXIII.: The Hermit's Son.

Canto LXIV.: Das'aratha's Death.

Canto LXV.: The Women's Lament.

Canto LXVI.: The Embalming.

Canto LXVII.: The Praise of Kings.

Canto LXVIII.: The Envoys.

Canto LXIX.: Bharat's Dream.

Canto LXX.: Bharat's Departure.

Canto LXXI.: Bharat's Return.

Canto LXXII.: Bharat's Inquiry.

Canto LXXIII.: Kaikey Reproached.

Canto LXXIV.: Bharat's Lamest.

Canto LXXV.: The Abjuration.

Canto LXXVI.: The Funeral

Canto LXXVII.: The Gathering of The Ashes.

Canto Lxxviii.: Manthar Punished.

Canto LXXIX.: Bharat's Commands.

Canto LXXX.: The Way Prepared.

Canto LXXXI.: The Assembly.

Canto LXXXII.: The Departure.

Canto Lxxxiii.: The Journey Begun.

Canto LXXXIV.: Guha's Anger.

Canto LXXXV.: Guha And Bharat.

Canto LXXXVI.: Guha's Speech.

Canto Lxxxvii.: Guha's Story.

Canto Lxxxviii.: The Ingud Tree.

Canto LXXXIX.: The Passage of Gang.

Canto XC.: The Hermitage.

Canto XCI.: Bharadvja's Feast.

Canto XCII.: Bharat's Farewell.

Canto XCIII.: Chitrakta In Sight.

Canto XCIV.: Chitrakta.

Canto XCV.: Mandkin.

Canto XCVI. : The Magic Shaft.

Canto XCVII.: Lakshman's Anger.

Canto XCVIII: Lakshman Calmed.

Canto XCIX.: Bharat's Approach.

Canto C.: The Meeting.

Canto CI.: Bharat Questioned.

Canto CII.: Bharat's Tidings.

Canto CIII.: The Funeral Libation.

Canto CIV.: The Meeting With The Queens.

Canto CV.: Rama's Speech.

Canto CVI.: Bharat's Speech.

Canto CVII.: Rma's Speech.

Canto CVIII.: Jvli's Speech.

Canto CIX.: The Praises of Truth.

Canto CX.: The Sons of Ikshva'ku.

Canto CXI.: Counsel To Bharat.

Canto CXII.: The Sandals.

Canto CXIII.: Bharat's Beturn.

Canto CXIV.: Bharat's Departure.

Canto CXV.: Nandigrm.

Canto CXVI.: The Hermit's Speech.

Canto CXVII.: Anasy.

Canto CXVIII.: Anasy's Gifts.

Canto CXIX.: The Forest.

Book Iii


Book III

Canto I.: The Hermitage.

Canto II.: Virdha.

Canto III.: Virdha Attacked.

Canto IV.: Virdha's Death.

Canto V.: S'arabhanga.

Canto VI.: Rma's Promise.

Canto VII.: Sutkshna.

Canto VIII.: The Hermitage.

Canto IX.: Sita's Speech.

Canto X.: Rma's Reply.

Canto XI.: Agastya.

Canto XII.: The Heavenly Bow.

Canto XIII.: Agastya's Counsel.

Canto XIV.: Jatyus.

Canto XV.: Panchavatt.

Canto XVI.: Winter.

Canto XVII.: S'u'panakha'

Canto XVIII.: The Mutilation.

Canto XIX.: The Rousing of Khara.

Canto XX.: The Giants' Death.

Canto XXI.: The Rousing of Khara.

Canto XXII: Khara's Wrath.

Canto XXIII.: The Omens.

Canto XXIV.: The Host In Sight.

Canto XXV.: The Battle.

Canto XXVI.: Dshan's Death.

Canto XXVII.: The Death of Tris'iras.

Canto XXVIII.: Khara Dismounted.

Canto XXIX.: Khara's Defeat.

Canto XXX.: Khara's Death.

Canto XXXI.: Rvan

Canto XXXII.: Rvan Roused.

Canto XXXIII.: Srpanakh's Speech.

Canto XXXIV.: Srpanakh's Speech.

Canto XXXV.: Rvan's Journey.

Canto XXXVI.: Rvan's Speech.

Canto XXXVII.: Mrcha's Speech.

Canto Xxxviii.: Mrcha's Speech.

Canto XXXIX.: Mrcha's Speech.

Canto XL.: Rvan's Speech.

Canto XLI.: Mrcha's Reply.

Canto XLII.: Mrcha Transformed.

Canto XLIII.: The Wondrous Deer.

Canto XLIV: Artcha's Death

Canto XLV.: Lakshman's Departure.

Canto XLVI.: The Guest.

Canto XLVII: Rvan's Wooing.

Canto XLVIII: Rvan's Speech.

Canto XLIX.: The Rape of Sit.

Canto L.: Jatyus.

Canto LI.: The Combat.

Canto LII.: Rvan's Flight.

Canto LIII.: Sit's Threats.

Canto LIV.: Lank.

Canto LV.: St In Prison.

Canto LVI.: St's Disdain.

Canto LVII.: St Comforted.

Canto LVIII.: The Brothers' Meeting.

Canto LIX.: Rma's Return.

Canto LX.: Lakshman Reproved.

Canto LXI.: Rma's Lament.

Canto LXII.: Rma's Lament.

Canto LXIII.: Rma's Lament.

Canto LXIV.: Rama's Lament.

Canto LXV.: Rama's Wrath.

Canto LXVI.: Lakshman's Speech.

Canto LXVII.: Rma Appeased.

Canto LXVIII.: Jatyus.

Canto LXIX.: The Death of Jatyus.

Canto LXX.: Kabandha.

Canto LXXI.: Kabandha's Speech.

Canto LXXII.: Kabandha's Tale.

Canto LXXIII.: Kabandha's Counsel.

Canto LXXIV.: Kabandha's Death.

Canto LXXV.: Savari

Canto LXXVI.: Pamp.

Book Iv


Book IV

Canto I.: Rma's Lament.

Canto II.: Sugrva's Alarm.

Canto IV: Lakshman's Reply.

Canto V.: The League.

Canto VI.: The Tokens.

Canto VII.: Rma Consoled.

Canto VIII.: Rma's Promise.

Canto IX.: Sugrva's Story.

Canto X.: Sugrva's Story.

Canto XI.: Dundubhi.

Canto XII.: The Palm Trees.

Canto XIII.: The Return To Kishkindh.

Canto XIV.: The Challenge.

Canto XV.: Tar.

Canto XVI.: The Fall of Bli.

Canto XVII.: Bli's Speech.

Canto XVIII.: Rma's Reply.

Canto XIX.: Tr's Grief.

Canto XX.: Tr's Lament.

Canto XXI.: Hanumn's Speech.

Canto XXII.: Bli Dead.

Canto XXIII.: Tr's Lament.

Canto XXIV.: Sugrva's Lament.

Canto XXV.: Rma's Speech.

Canto XXVI.: The Coronation.

Canto XXVII.: Rma On The Hill.

Canto XXVIII.: The Rains.

Canto XXIX.: Hanumn's Counsel.

Canto XXX.: Rma's Lament.

Canto XXXI.: The Envoy.

Canto XXXII.: Hanuman's Counsel.

Canto XXXIII.: Lakshman's Entry.

Canto XXXIV.: Lakshman's Speech

Canto XXXV.: Tr's Speech.

Canto XXXVI.: Sugrva's Speech.

Canto XXXVII.: The Gathering.

Canto Xxxviii.: Sugrva's Departure.

Canto XXXIX.: The Vnar Host.

Canto XL.: The Army of The East.

Canto XLI.: The Army of The South.

Canto XLII.: The Army of The West.

Canto XLIII.: The Army of The North.

Canto XLIV.: The Ring.

Canto XLV.: The Departure.

Canto XLVI.: Sugrva's.

Canto XLVII.: The Return.

Canto XLVIII.: The Asur's Death.

Canto XLIX.: Angad's Speech.

Canto L.: The Enchanted Cave.

Canto LI.: Svayamprabh

Canto LII.: The Exit.

Canto LIII.: Angad's Counsel.

Canto LIV.: Hanumn's Speech.

Canto LVI:

Canto LV.: Angad's Reply

Canto LVI.: Sampti.

Canto LVII.: Angad's Speech.

Canto LVIII: Tidings of Sit.

Canto LIX.: Sampati's Story.

Canto LX.: Sampti's Story

Canto LXI.: Sampti's Story.

Canto LXII.: Sampti's Story.

Canto LXIII.: Sampti's Story.

Canto LXIV.: The Sea.

Canto LXV.: The Council.

Canto LXVI.: Hanumn.

Canto LXVII.: Hanuman's Speech.

Book V


Book V

Canto I.: Hanumn's Leap.

Canto II.: Lank.

Canto III.: The Guardian Goddess.

Canto IV.: Within The City.

Canto VI. : The Court.

Canto VII.: Ravan's Palace.

Canto VIII.: The Enchanted Car.

Canto IX.: The Ladies' Bower.

Canto X.: Rvan Asleep.

Canto XI.: The Banquet Hall.

Canto XII.: The Search Renewed.

Canto XIII.: Despair And Hope.

Canto XIV.: The As'oka Grove.

Canto XV.: St.

Canto XVI.: Hanumn's Lament.

Canto XVII.: St's Guard.

Canto XVIII.: Rvan.

Canto XIX.: Sta's Fear.

Canto XX.: Rvan's Wooing.

Canto XXI.: Sita's Scorn.

Canto XXII.: Rvan's Threat.

Canto XXIII.: The Demons' Threats

Canto XXIV.: St's Reply.

Canto XXV.: St's Lament.

Canto XXVI.: Sit's Lament

Canto XXVII.: Trijat's Dream.

Canto XXX.: Hanumn's Deliberation.

Canto XXXI.: Hanumn's Speech.

Canto XXXII.: St's Doubt.

Canto XXXIII.: The Colloquy.

Canto XXXIV.: Hanumn's Speech.

Canto XXXV.: Hanuman's Speech.

Canto XXXVI.: Rma's Ring.

Canto XXXVII.: St's Speech.

Canto Xxxviii.: Sit's Gem.

Canto XLI.: The Ruin of The Grove.

Canto XLII.: The Giants Roused.

Canto XLIII.: The Ruin of The Temple.

Canto XLIV.: Jambumli's Death.

Canto XLV.: The Seven Defeated.

Canto XLVI.: The Captains.

Canto XLVII.: The Death of Aksha.

Canto XLVIIL: Hanumn Captured.

Canto XLIX.: Rvan.

Canto L.: Prahasta's Questions.

Canto LI.: Hanumn's Reply.

Canto LII.: Vibhshan's Speech.

Canto LIII.: The Punishment.

Canto LIV.: The Burning of Lank.

Canto LV.: Fear For St.

Canto LVI: Mount Arishta.

Canto LVII.: Hanmn's Return.

Canto LXI.: The Feast of Honey.

Canto LXV. : The Tidings.

Canto LXVI.: Rma's Speech.

Book Vi


Book VI

Canto I.: Rma's Speech.

Canto II.: Sugrva's Speech.

Canto III.: Lank.

Canto IV.: The March.

Canto V.: Rma's Lament.

Canto VI.: Rvan's Speech.

Canto VII.: Rvan Encouraged.

Canto VIII.: Prahasta's Speech.

Canto IX.: Vibhshan's Counsel.

Canto X.: Vibhshan's Counsel.

Canto XI.: The Summons.

Canto XII.: Ravan's Speech.

Canto XIII.: Rvan's Speech.

Canto XIV.: Vibhshan's Speech.

Canto XV.: Indrajit's Speech.

Canto XVI.: Rvan's Speech.

Canto XVII.: Vibhshan's Flight.

Canto XVIII.: Rma's Speech.

Canto XIX.: Vibhshan's Counsel.

Canto XX.: The Spies.

Canto XXI.: Ocean Threatened.

Canto Xxii.:


Canto XXIII.: The Omens.

Canto XXIV.: The Spy's Return.

Canto XXV.: Rvan's Spies.

Canto XXVI.: The Vnar Chiefs.

Canto XXVII.: The Vnar Chiefs.

Canto XXVIII.: The Chieftains.

Canto XXIX.: S'rdla Captured.

Canto XXX.: Srdla's Speech.

Canto XXXI.: The Magic Head.

Canto XXXII.: Sit's Lament.

Canto XXXIII.: Saram.

Canto XXXIV.: Saram's Tidings.

Canto XXXV.: Malyavn's Speech.

Canto XXXVI.: Rvan's Reply.

Canto XXXVII.: Preparations.

Canto Xxxviii.: The Ascent of Suvela.

Canto XXXIX.: Lank.

Canto XL.: Rvan Attacked.

Canto XLI.: Rma's Envoy.

Canto XLII.: The Sally.

Canto XLIII.: The Single Combats.

Canto XLIV.: The Night.

Canto XLV.: Indrajit's Victory.

Canto XLVI.: Indrajit's Triumph.

Canto XLVII.: Sit.

Canto XLVIII.: Sit's Lament.

Canto XLIX.: Rma's Lament

Canto L.: The Broken Spell.

Canto LI.: Dhmrksha's Sally.

Canto LII.: Dhmrksha's Death.

Canto LIII.: Vajradanshtra's Sally.

Canto LIV.: Vajradanshtra's Death.

Canto LIX.: Rvans Sally.

Canto LX.: Kumbhakarna Roused.

Canto LX.: Kumbhakarn'a Roused.

Canto LXI.: The Vnars' Alarm.

Canto LXII: Rvan's Request

Canto LXIII.: Kumbhakabna's Boast.

Canto LXIV.: Mahodar's Speech.

Canto LXV.: Khumbhakarna's Speech.

Canto LXVI.: Kombhakarna's Sally.

Canto LXVII.: Kumbhakarna's Death.

Canto LXVIII.: Rvan's Lament.

Canto LXIX.: Narntak's Death.

Canto LXX.: The Death of Tris'iras.

Canto LXXI.: Atikya's Death.

Canto LXXII.: Rvan's Speech.

Canto LXXIII.: Indrajit's Victory.

Canto LXXIV.: The Medicinal Herbs.

Canto LXXV.: The Night Attack.

Canto XCIII.: Rvan's Lament.

Canto XCVI.: Rvan's Sally.

Canto C.: Ravan In The Field.

Canto CI.: Lakshman's Fall.

Canto CII.: Lakshman Healed.

Canto CIII.: Indra's Car.

Canto CVI.: Glory To The Sun.

Canto CVIII.: The Battle.

Canto CIX.: The Battle.

Canto CX.: Rvan's Death.

Canto CXI.: Vibhshan's Lament.

Canto CXII.: The Rkshas Dames.

Canto CXIII.: Mandodar's Lament.

Canto CXIV: Vibhshan Consecrated.

Canto CXV.: Sit's Joy.

Canto CXVI.: The Meeting.

Canto CXVII.: St's Disgrace.

Canto CXVIII.: St's Reply.

Canto CXIX.: Glory To Vishnu.

Canto CXX.: St Restored.

Canto CXXI.: Das'aratha.

Canto CXXII.: Indra's Boon.

Canto CXXIII.: The Magic Car.

Canto CXXIV.: The Departure.

Canto CXXV.: The Return.

Canto CXXVI.: Bharat Consoled.

Canto CXXVII.: Rma's Message.

Canto Cxxviii.: Hanumn's Story.

Canto CXXIX.: The Meeting With Bharat.

Canto CXXX.: The Consecration.

Appendices


Appendices

Index of Principal Names

Errata