THE RAMAYANA

• Who wrote the original Ramayana?

  Valmiki
• Who wrote the original Ramayana?

  Valmiki
• In which century was the original Ramayana written?

  Fourth century
• How many kandas or books does the original Ramayana comprise?

  Seven kandas
• What is the first book of the Ramayana called?

  Bala Kanda
• What does the Bala Kanda focus on?

  Rama's boyhood and adolescence
• What is the Ayodhya Kanda about?

  The court of Dasharatha and story setup
• What significant event occurs in the Ayodhya Kanda?

  Exchange between Dasaratha and Kaikeyi
• What does the Aranya Kanda depict?

  Life in the forest during exile
• What major event happens in the Aranya Kanda?

  Abduction of Sita by Ravana
• What is the focus of the Kishkindhya Kanda?

  Rama's residence in Kishkindhya
• What significant action does Rama take in the Kishkindhya Kanda?

  Quest for Sita and slaying of Bali
• What does the Sundara Kanda highlight?

  Passages of lyrical beauty and landscapes
• What is the main event in the Yuddha Kanda?

  Defeat of Ravana and recovery of Sita
• What does the Uttara Kanda detail?

  Rama's life in Ayodhya after exile
• What significant events occur in the Uttara Kanda?

  Banishment of Sita and birth of Lava and Kusa
• What happens to Sita in the Uttara Kanda?

  Her banishment and return to the earth
• What is the final event described in the Uttara Kanda?

  Rama's ascent into heaven
• What are the seven kandas of the Ramayana and their themes?

  1. Bala Kanda: Rama's youth and adolescence
  2. Ayodhya Kanda: Court of Dasaratha and story setup
  3. Aranya Kanda: Life in the forest and Sita's abduction
  4. Kishkindhya Kanda: Rama's residence and quest for Sita
  5. Sundara Kanda: Lyrical beauty and landscapes
  6. Yuddha Kanda: War, defeat of Ravana, and recovery of Sita
  7. Uttara Kanda: Rama's life post-exile and ascent into heaven
• What controversies surround the Ramayana's authorship?

  • Questioning authorship of certain passages
  • Doubts about the authenticity of Uttara Kanda
• The Book of Ayodhya


  Ayodhya Kanda
• The Book of War

  Yuddha Kanda
• The Book of the Empire of Holy Monkeys

  Kishkindhya Kanda
• The Book of the Forest

  Aranya Kanda
• The Book of the Youth

  Bala Kanda
• The Book Beyond

  Uttara Kanda
• The Book of the Beautiful (Hanuman)


  Sundara Kanda
• It is the later section, detailing rama's life in Ayodhya, the banishment of Sita

  Uttara Kanda
• Rama's residence in Kishkindhya, the quest for Sita


  Kishkindhya Kanda
• The boyhood and adolescence of Rama

  Bala Kanda
• Sundara means beautiful
• Life in the forest during the 14 year exile

  Aranya Kanda
• The court of the Dasaratha

  Ayodhya Kanda
• The birth of Lava and Kusa

  Uttara Kanda
• The defeat of Ravana

  Yuddha Kanda
• This portion of the book has passages of lyrical beauty

  Sundara Kanda
• The scenes that set the stage for the unfolding of the story

  Ayodhya Kanda
• The abduction of Sita by Ravana

  Aranya Kanda
• The reconciliation of Rama and Sita

  Uttara Kanda
• It includes the exchange between Dasaratha and Kaikeyi

  Ayodhya Kanda