Bala Kanda
The incarnation of Shree Raama is revealed in Bala Kanda.An account of his childhood activities are recorded here.Raama renders service to the Sage Vishwamitra by protecting his yagna (holy sacrifice).He slays the evil Tataka and Subahu.He redeems Ahalya from her curse.He crushed the pride of Parashurama ,broke the bow of Lord Shiva and married Seeta,the daughter of Raja Janaka.
Ayodhya Kanda
Preparations were made to install Shree Raama as the heir to the throne.His stepmother Kaikeyi protested in favour of her own son Bharata and had Shree Raama sent into exile to the forest for fourteen years.Seeta decided to accompany Lord Raama to the forest and His younger brother Lakshmana followed them.The father of Lord Raama Raja Dasaratha died due to separation from Shree Raama.
Raama,Lakshmana and Seeta are befriended by the hunter Guha.They cross the holy Ganga river and meet with the Rishi Bhadrawaj.They proceeded to Chitrakuta where they built a hut made of grass and leaves.Bharata goes to the forest and met with Shree Raama and tries to convince him to return to Ayodhya.He did not succeed in doing so and returned with the sandals of Shree Raama which he installed on the throne.Bharata proceeded to the outskirts of Ayodhya,a place called Nandigrama where he ruled the kingdom,in the name of Shree Raama.
Aranya Kanda
In the Dandaka forest,Shree Raama and Lakshmana are attacked by a demon Viradha and Shree Raama liberates him.They then paid a visit to the Rishi Sarabhanga.They also had an audience with Sutikshna.They then came upon Atri Rishi and his wife Anasuya.Anasuya gave a powerful discourse to Seeta on the duties of a wife.They then met with Agastya Rishi from whom Shree Raama received divine weapons.
In the Panchavati forest they encountered the demoness Surpanakha,sister of Ravana.Lakshmana disfigured her and she reported the incident to her brothers Khara and Dushana.These two attacked Shree Raama and Lakshmana and were destroyed.
Surpanakha goes to Lanka and complains to big brother Ravana,the King of Lanka.Ravana concotes a plan and pays a visit to his uncle Maricha.Following Ravan's orders,Maricha took the form of a golden deer and appeared in the vicinity of Raama,Lakshmana and Seeta.At Seeta's request,Shree Raama proceeded to catch the deer and was lured deeper into the forest.He shoots at the deer and Seeta panics at hearing the scream.She thought Shree Raama was in distress and rushes Lakshmana to His rescue.In the absence of Raama and Lakshmana,Ravana approaches and abducts Seeta.
In a bid to rescue Seeta,Jatayu the bird intercepts Ravana and is mortally wounded.Shree Raama and Lakshmana returns and does not find Seeta.They found Jatayu who told them what had happened.Shree Raama and Lakshmana performed the funeral rites of Jatayu and moves on.They then encountered the demon Kabandha and liberated him after which they visited the home of Sabari.The pious lady offered them her hospitality and Shree Raama revealed to her the nine steps of devotion.
Kishkinda Kanda
Shree Raama and Lakshmana meets with Hanuman the monkey God.Hanuman befriends them and takes them to meet with his chief Sugriva on Mount Rishyamuka.Raama and Lakshmana forms an alliance with Sugriva who promises to help with the search for Seeta.With the help of Shree Raama,Sugriva overthrows and kills Vali and is crowned King of Kishkinda.Hanuman takes a search party and is given Shree Raama's signet ring after which he goes in search of Seeta.They meet with Sampati,the brother of Jatayu who tells them where Seeta is being kept.Hanuman leaps over the ocean and descends into Lanka.
Sundara Kanda
Hanuman arrives in Lanka and delivers the demoness Lankini.He destroys Akshay Kumara,a brother of Ravana.He assumes the form of a smaller monkey and takes a grand tour of the city and its environs.He sees the pious Vibeshana in a temple.He finds Seeta in the Ashoka grove,gives her Shree Raama's signet ring and his message.He lay waste the Ashoka grove and is eventually captured.Hanuman is taken before Ravana and is humilated.He is tied in ropes and his tail is set on fire.He burns the city of Lanka to the ground.He rejoins his search party and returns to Lord Raama who is very proud of Hanuman's achievements.
Yuddha Kanda
A bridge is built across the ocean.Shree Raama and Lakshmana along with Hanuman,Sugriva and the rest of the army comprising monkeys and bears,crosses the ocean.Shree Raama performs worship to Lord Shiva at Rameshwaram.Angad the son of Vali carries a message of peace to Ravana who rejects it.Vibeshana the brother of Ravana advises him to return Seeta and make peace.Ravana kicks out Vibeshana who joins Shree Raama.
The battle begins and Lakshmana is badly wounded by Indrajeet,son of Ravana.Hanuman fetches the physician Susena who sends him to bring medicinal herbs.Hanuman unable to identify the herb,brings the entire mountain on which the herbs are growing.Lakshmana revives and the battle continues.The giant Kumbhakarana,the younger brother is awaken from his deep sleep.Shree Raama subdues Kumbhakarna.Indrajeet resorts to sorcerery and is eventually vanquished by Lakshmana.Ravana calls upon Ahiravana who dwells in Patal or the netherlands.Ahiravan is destroyed by Hanuman.
Shree Raama uses the weapon Bramhastra to kill Ravana.Seeta is rescued and returned to Shree Raama.Hanuman and Lakshmana performs the coronation of Vibeshana as the new King of Lanka.Shree Raama,Lakshmana and Seeta is accompanied by the Vanaras and Vibeshana as they return to Ayodhya.Shree Raama descends on the outskirts of Ayodhya and Bharata meets with him.They all return to Ayodhya and Shree Raama is crowned as the King.
Uttara Kanda
There is peace and prosperity everywhere.There are no diseases or sorrow of anykind.Eyeryone is very happy.Shree Raama departs for his divine abode and he is accompanied by his brothers and Seeta.
Jai Shree Raama.
Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.
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