Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyana (English Translation)

A short synopsis of the Ramayana

Bharata renders back the kingdom of Ayodhyā to Śrī Rāma, who drives in a procession to the city; his consecration on the throne of Ayodhyā; His farewell to the monkeys and the glory of the epic. END OF YUDDHAKĀNDA Thank you for joining us for Book 6, we have loved reading the Ramayana together.

Arrangements for the reception of Śrī Rāma in Ayodhyā; the departure of Bharata with all others for Nandigråma to receiveŚrī Rāma; Śrī Rāma’s meeting with Bharata and others and his sending back the aerial car, Puspaka, to Kubera, the ruler of Yaksas (a class of demigods), to whom it originally belonged.

Hanumān recounts to Bharata broad details relating to the sojourn of Śrī Rāma, Sītā and Laksmana in the forest.

Preceding Śrī Rāma to Śrngaverapura and Nandigrāma, Hanumān apprises Guha and Bharata of Śrī Rāma’s impending return soon and Bharata offers him a number of valuable gifts in recompense for the delightful news.

Landing the aerial car at the hermitage of Sage Bharadwāja, Śrī Rāma sees the great Rsi and receives boons from him.

In the course of their flight to Ayodhyā, Śrī Rāma shows to Sītā the places over which they were flying.

In obedience to the command of Śrī Rāma, Vibhīsana heaps special honours on the monkeys and taking Sugrīva, Vibhīsana and other monkeys with them, Śrī Rāma, Sītā and Laksmana start on their aerial journey by Puspaka.

Śrī Rāma prepares to leave for Ayodhyā and at his instance Vibhīsana orders the presence of the aerial car, Puspaka, to take him to Ayodhyā.

At the instance of Śrī Rāma, Indra brings back to life all the monkeys who had lost their life in combat, the gods disperse and the simian army enjoy their well-earned rest.

As enjoined by Lord Śiva, Śrī Rāma and Laksmana pay their respects to the soul of Emperor Daśaratha, who appears in an ethereal form, a replica of his extinct personality, and ascends once more to heaven after giving necessary instructions to his two former sons and daughter-in-law.

The god of fire emerges in person from the burning pyre with Sītā and, restoring her to Śrī Rāma, testifies to her purity and the latter joyfully accept her.

Gods seek the presence of Śrī Rāma, and Brahmā (the creator) proclaims his divinity and extols him.

With a taunting reply, Sītā undergoes a fire-ordeal in order to prove her conjugal fidelity.

Regarding with suspicion the character of Sītā, Śrī Rāma repudiates her and asks her to seek shelter elsewhere.

At the command of Śrī Rāma, Vibhīsana escorts Sītā to the former’s presence and she feasts her eyes on the moon-like countenance of her darling.

Hanumān delivers Śrī Rāma’s message to Sītā and brings back her message to him.

Installation of Vibhīsana on the throne of Lankā; Śrī Rāma sends his message to Sītā through Hanumān.

Mandodarī’s lament and the funeral of Rāvana.

The lament of Rāvana’s consorts.

Vibhīsana bursts into a lament and Śrī Rāma comforts him and asks him to perform the obsequies in relation to his deceased eldest brother.

Rāvana’s death at Śrī Rāma’s hands.

Fierce encounter of Śrī Rāma with Rāvana.

Catching sight of Rāvana’s chariot, Śrī Rāma asks Mātali to be on his guard. A description of portents prognosticating the fall of Rāvana and good omens predicting the victory of Śrī Rāma.

Sage Agastya advises Śrī Rāma to recite the ‘Āditya-Hrdaya’, a collection of verses in praise of the sun-god, with a view to gaining victory.