The Rāmāyana, Volume 2. Āranya, Kishkindhā, and Sundara Kāndam

In Short

This second volume of the Sanskrit epic gathers three central movements—the forest exile (Aranya), the alliance among the monkey-warriors (Kishkindha), and the luminous infiltration of the enemy fortress (Sundara). Driven from his rightful throne into the Dandaka forest, Prince Rama of Kosala lives as an ascetic alongside his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. When the ten-headed rakshasa sovereign Ravana abducts Sita to his island stronghold of Lanka, Rama forms a solemn pact with the exiled monkey-king Sugriva. Led by the incomparable Hanuman, who leaps across the ocean in a single bound, the monkey forces locate Sita, enduring her captivity with unyielding chastity. Combining mythological grandiosity with intimate human grief, this translation preserves the ancient narrative engine that has shaped South Asian literary, religious, and ethical life for millennia.

The Story

The narrative opens in the dense, monster-haunted solitude of the Dandaka forest. Prince Rama, his wife Sita, and his devoted brother Lakshmana have embraced a fourteen-year exile to preserve their father's word. Far from the courtly luxuries of Ayodhya, they build modest hermitages, pay homage to holy ascetics, and defend sages from predatory flesh-eating rakshasas. Their peaceful wilderness life shatters when Surpanakha, sister of the demon king Ravana, encounters Rama. Smitten by his radiant form, she attempts to seduce him and threatens Sita, prompting Lakshmana to disfigure her. Enraged, Surpanakha incites her brothers to attack; Rama single-handedly slaughters thousands of rakshasa troops, including the formidable commanders Tricira and Khara.

Desperate for vengeance, Surpanakha flees to Lanka and describes Sita's peerless beauty to Ravana, convincing him that capturing her will both avenge his army and humiliate the prince. Ravana enlists the shapeshifting demon Maricha, who transforms into an irresistible golden deer to draw Rama and Lakshmana far into the woods. With the brothers lured away, Ravana approaches Sita in the guise of an ascetic mendicant, reveals his true monstrous identity, and carries her off through the air in his flying chariot.

Returning to an empty cottage, Rama is plunged into frantic, uncharacteristic despair. Overcome by grief, he wanders the wilderness, threatening to tear the earth apart until Lakshmana counsels restraint. Guided by dying allies and forest creatures, the brothers travel south to Mount Rishyamuka, where they meet Hanuman, the counselor to the exiled monkey-prince Sugriva. Recognizing mutual suffering, Rama and Sugriva strike a sacred covenant over a kindled fire: Rama will help Sugriva defeat his tyrannical brother Vali and regain his kingdom of Kishkindha, while Sugriva will mobilize his vast ape armies to locate and rescue Sita.

Rama slays Vali during an intense duel, establishing Sugriva upon the monkey throne. However, once restored to power and luxury, Sugriva becomes distracted by sensual pleasures, forgetting his pledge until Lakshmana arrives in a fiery rage to demand action. Penitent, Sugriva summons millions of monkeys from every corner of the earth and dispatches search parties to the four cardinal directions. The southern search party—led by Sugriva’s nephew Angada, the wise bear Jambavan, and Hanuman—reaches the edge of the vast southern ocean, demoralized and facing failure.

Jambavan reminds Hanuman of his divine origins as the son of the Wind-god. Realizing his latent strength, Hanuman expands his body to colossal proportions, leaps off the mountain peaks, and flies across the ocean to Lanka. Shrinking himself to the size of a cat to avoid detection, he slips into Ravana’s golden city under cover of night. Hanuman explores the extravagant, jewel-encrusted palaces and sleeping chambers of the demon king, initially mistaking Ravana’s chief queen for Sita.

Finally, he discovers Sita guarded by ferocious demonesses in the Ashoka grove. She is weary, clad in soiled garments, yet unwavering in her devotion to Rama. Hanuman witnesses Ravana attempting to bribe and threaten her, only to be spurned by her fierce chastity. Once Ravana leaves, Hanuman approaches Sita, presents Rama’s signet ring, and restores her hope. Receiving her crest-jewel as a token for Rama, Hanuman resolves to test the enemy's strength before departing. He lays waste to the royal gardens, slays several of Ravana’s chief generals and his young son Aksha, permits himself to be captured by Indrajit, and allows his tail to be set on fire—only to use the flame to burn the city of Lanka to ashes. Returning across the sea, Hanuman presents the crest-jewel to Rama, setting the stage for the ultimate war.

How It Unfolds

The forest retreat Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana move among the hermits of Dandaka, exchanging blessings with ancient ascetics and receiving divine weapons to protect the sacred woods.

The demoness humiliated Surpanakha attempts to entice Rama and kill Sita, leading Lakshmana to slice off her nose and ears in punishment.

Carnage at Janasthana Seeking revenge for his sister, the demon commander Khara attacks with fourteen thousand rakshasas, but Rama decimates the entire host single-handedly.

The golden deceit Ravana forces the demon Maricha to take the form of a golden deer, successfully luring Rama and Lakshmana away from their forest cottage.

The abduction Disguised as a humble beggar, Ravana forcibly seizes Sita, ascends into the sky on his golden car, and imprisons her in Lanka.

The pact at Rishyamuka Rama meets the exiled monkey Sugriva, sealing a sacred bond over fire to share each other's joys, sorrows, and martial burdens.

The fall of Vali Rama shoots Vali from concealment during a wrestling match, restoring Sugriva to the throne of Kishkindha and securing the monkey army.

The seasonal delay Sugriva surrenders to wine and wives during the rainy season, provoking a furious warning from Lakshmana before deploying search parties worldwide.

The leap over the main Encouraged by Jambavan, Hanuman expands his form to titanic size and leaps over the southern ocean to reach the island of Lanka.

Discovery in the Ashoka grove Hanuman finds Sita weeping under an Ashoka tree, rebuffing Ravana's advances, and delivers Rama's signet ring to assure her of rescue.

Lanka in flames Captured after slaughtering Ravana's guards, Hanuman turns his fire-bound tail into a torch, scorching the golden city before flying home with Sita's crest-jewel.

The People

• Rama — The exiled crown prince of KosA divine exile, a stolen queen, and an ocean spanned by a leap of pure faith—this is the beating heart of India’s timeless forest epic.

In Short

This volume contains three pivotal books of the Ramayana: Aranya, Kishkindha, and Sundara Kandam. It chronicles Rama’s exile in the Dandaka forest, the tragic abduction of his wife Sita by the demon king Ravana, and Rama’s subsequent search for her. Stripped of his royal estate, Rama forms a crucial alliance with the monkey king Sugriva and his formidable general, Hanuman. The narrative culminates in Hanuman’s miraculous leap across the ocean to the island kingdom of Lanka, where he locates the captive Sita, delivers Rama’s message of hope, and lays waste to the demon city. Preserved for millennia, this epic endures because it weaves profound moral dilemmas, filial duty, and spiritual devotion into an immortal adventure of light confronting darkness.

The Story

The narrative opens deep within the wilderness of Dandaka, where Rama, his wife Sita, and his devoted brother Lakshmana live as pious ascetics. Though banished from their home kingdom of Ayodhya through court intrigue, the royal exile transforms into a sacred mission as the wandering prince protects the holy hermits of the forest from flesh-eating demons, or Rakshasas. Tranquility shatters when the demoness Surpanakha attempts to seduce Rama and harm Sita, prompting Lakshmana to mutilate her in punishment. Seeking vengeance, Surpanakha incites her brother, the terrifying ten-headed king Ravana of Lanka, by praising Sita’s peerless beauty and Rama's martial prowess.

Ravana devises a deceitful scheme using the demon Maricha, who transforms into a radiant golden deer to lure Rama and Lakshmana far from their cottage. Left unguarded, Sita is confronted by Ravana disguised as a humble mendicant. Discarding his disguise, the demon king forcefully carries Vaidehi away in his aerial chariot across the skies to his sea-girt fortress of Lanka. Returning to an empty hermitage, Rama is overcome with agonizing grief. He vows to destroy the world in his rage before Lakshmana gently grounds him in duty and restraint. Guided by dying forest allies and ascetics, the brothers march south toward Mount Rishyamuka to seek allies.

There, they encounter the exiled monkey prince Sugriva and his advisor Hanuman. Rama contracts a solemn oath of friendship with Sugriva over a sacred fire: Rama will help Sugriva slay his tyrannical brother Vali and regain the monkey kingdom of Kishkindha, while Sugriva will mobilize his vast armies to locate Sita. Rama fulfills his promise by mortally wounding Vali in battle, installing Sugriva upon the throne. However, once crowned, Sugriva succumbs to a life of luxury and sensual pleasures, forgetting his pledge as the seasons change. A furious visit from Lakshmana quickly awakens the king to his obligations.

Sugriva immediately dispatches monkey hosts to the four quarters of the earth. The southern search party—led by Prince Angada, the wise bear Jambavan, and Hanuman—traverses treacherous mountains and dark caves, eventually reaching the edge of the vast southern ocean. Facing the seemingly impossible expanse of water, the searchers sink into despair, facing execution by Sugriva if they return empty-handed. It is then that Jambavan reminds Hanuman of his divine origins as the son of the Wind-god and his forgotten, limitless strength.

Invoking his celestial power, Hanuman expands to colossal proportions and takes a breathtaking leap across the ocean, braving sea monsters and aerial obstacles. He alights upon the golden walls of Lanka, a glittering metropolis filled with ivory, jewels, and formidable demon guards. Shrinking himself to the size of a cat, Hanuman sneaks through the city by night, searching the palatial mansions and Ravana's harem without success.

At last, he discovers Sita held captive in the royal Asoka grove. Surrounded by monstrous, threatening demonesses, she is starved, sorrowful, and steadfastly rejecting Ravana’s lavish temptations and death threats. Waiting for the right moment, Hanuman approaches Sita, calms her fears by reciting Rama’s virtues, and presents her with Rama’s signet ring. Overjoyed to know her lord has not abandoned her, Sita hands Hanuman her precious crest-jewel as a token of her enduring love and chastity.

Before returning, Hanuman decides to test the enemy's strength. He ravages Ravana’s pleasure groves, slays several demon generals and princes, and allows himself to be bound by Ravana’s son, Indrajit. Brought before the demon king, Hanuman boldly announces himself as Rama's messenger and demands Sita's release. In punishment, Ravana orders Hanuman’s tail wrapped in cloth and set on fire. Turning the penalty into a catastrophe for his captors, Hanuman leaps from rooftop to rooftop, setting the glorious city of Lanka ablaze. Re-crossing the ocean, Hanuman rejoins his ecstatic comrades and returns to Rama, delivering Sita's jewel and the glorious news that she remains faithful and awaits rescue.

How It Unfolds

The forest life interrupted Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana dwell peacefully among the hermits of Dandaka, but their quiet asceticism is broken when the demoness Surpanakha approaches them with lust and malice. Her mutilation by Lakshmana triggers a fierce war with localized demon armies, ultimately drawing the attention of the sovereign of Lanka.

The loss of Sita Through a cunning trick involving a golden deer, Ravana lures the brothers away from their shelter and carries Sita off through the clouds. Rama returns to find his wife gone, plunging into a profound sorrow that threatens to unleash his destructive power upon the universe.

The alliance at Rishyamuka Guided by forest ascetics, the brothers travel south and forge an oath of mutual aid with the monkey king Sugriva, sealed before a flaming fire. Rama slays Sugriva's rival brother Vali, restoring Sugriva to his throne and securing the pledge of a vast army.

The kingdom slumber Indulging in wine and palace pleasures, King Sugriva neglects his vow to search for Sita as the months pass. Lakshmana arrives at Kishkindha in a towering rage, forcing the queen Tara to intervene with wise words before Sugriva quickly summons monkey legions from all directions.

The edge of the sea The southern search party reaches the vast ocean, realizing they have exceeded their allotted time and facing starvation or execution for failure. The bear-king Jambavan awakens Hanuman to his latent, divine strength, inspiring him to attempt the impossible passage.

The ocean leap Expanding his body to cosmic proportions, Hanuman springs into the sky, overcoming terrifying obstacles and sea demons during his aerial flight. He arrives at the enemy capital of Lanka, marveling at its golden walls, vast mansions, and formidable defenses.

Finding Vaidehi Infiltrating the guarded city at night, Hanuman wanders through Ravana’s palace before discovering Sita in the Asoka grove, mournful yet resolute against Ravana's advances. Hanuman proves his identity with Rama’s signet ring and receives Sita's crest-jewel along with her message of hope.

Lanka in flames To gauge Ravana's military power, Hanuman destroys the royal gardens, slays top demon commanders, and allows himself to be captured. When his tail is set afire as a humiliating punishment, he uses the flame to burn down the golden city before leaping back across the sea to bring Rama the news.

The People

• Rama: The exiled prince of Ayodhya, defined by his unwavering truthfulness, moral rectitude, and martial mastery. When Sita is stolen, his serene ascetic demeanor gives way to profound grief and terrible fury, revealing both his deep human love and his divine capacity for destruction.
• Sita: Daughter of King Janaka and wife of Rama, held captive in Lanka. Though surrounded by terrifying demon guards and facing daily threats of death, her absolute chastity, spiritual strength, and unwavering devotion to Rama render her morally invincible against Ravana’s coercion.
• Hanuman: The minister to Sugriva and son of the Wind-god. Intelligent, humble, and endlessly resourceful, he emerges as the ultimate devotee and hero, using his miraculous shape-shifting abilities and physical might to cross the ocean, comfort Sita, and strike terror into Lanka.
• Ravana: The ten-headed king of the Rakshasas whose immense ascetic power has made him invulnerable to gods and demons. Ruled by pride and lust, he acts as the ultimate antagonist, bringing about the inevitable ruin of his prosperous kingdom through his unlawful abduction of Sita.
• Lakshmana: Rama’s devoted younger brother who shares his forest exile. Fierce, loyal, and quick to anger, he acts as Rama’s practical protector and voice of reason, constantly urging his brother away from despair and back toward action.
• Sugriva: The monkey king who secures Rama's assistance to slay his brother Vali. Though loyal at heart, he is easily distracted by earthly pleasures once restored to power, requiring a stern reminder of his duties before deploying his forces.
• Tara: The wise queen of Kishkindha, formerly Vali's wife and later Sugriva's consort. Renowned for her diplomacy and intellect, her soft-spoken counsel successfully defuses Lakshmana’s lethal rage when the monkey kingdom fails to meet its deadline.

In Its Own Voice

"Finding his truthful sire imposed on by Kaikeyi he has sojourned unto woods. For compassing the welfare of his father Dacaratha and Kaikeyi he hath entered the forest of Dandaka."

— The demon Maricha warns Ravana of Rama's unshakeable virtue and righteousness.

"Ever manifested itself in thee, glory par excellence like unto splendour in the Moon, lustre in the Sun, motion in the wind and forgiveness in the Earth. It becometh thee not to devastate the whole world for the crime of an individual being."

— Lakshmana pleads with a grief-stricken Rama not to unleash his anger on creation.

"I can, without once stopping, circumambulate the extensive and heaven-cleaving mountain, Meru, for a thousand times. And, dashing the ocean with my arms, I can deluge the world with its mountains, rivers and lakes."

— Hanuman realizes his immense divine heritage before leaping across the southern ocean.

What It's Really About

Beneath its rich tapestry of forest wandering, magical shape-shifters, and high military drama, this portion of the Ramayana is an intense meditation on dharma—the moral duty and order that holds the universe together. The narrative constantly weighs personal desire against ethical obligation. Rama accepts banishment to preserve his father's word, showing that true nobility lies in sacrificing self-interest for truth. Conversely, Ravana’s downfall begins the moment he allows personal lust to override universal morality.

The text also deeply explores the nature of grief, devotion, and friendship. Rama’s sorrow over Sita humanizes his divine status, demonstrating that true love involves profound vulnerability. The alliance formed over fire between Rama and Sugriva highlights the sacredness of vows, while Hanuman’s journey elevates loyalty into spiritual devotion (bhakti). Throughout the epic, inner spiritual purity—exemplified by Sita’s chaste resolve in captivity—is shown to be far more powerful than all the gold, weapons, and magical illusions of Lanka combined.

Why Read It Today

Reading Valmiki’s Ramayana in this translation offers direct access to one of the foundational epic texts of world literature. Modern readers will find a narrative that balances cosmic, larger-than-life scale with intimate emotional realism. The prose moves fluidly between lush, evocative descriptions of nature—such as the blooming, lotus-filled lakes of Pampa and the glittering, pearl-paved avenues of Lanka—and intense, high-stakes psychological confrontations.

The work is not without its historical challenges. Readers must adjust to nineteenth-century translation conventions, Victorian-era prose choices, and fluctuating spellings of proper nouns (such as Dacaratha or Vaidehi). Furthermore, modern audiences will encounter ancient social hierarchies, rigid gender dynamics, and period attitudes regarding royalty and righteousness that reflect its ancient origins.

Yet these context-bound elements fade before the sheer narrative momentum and imaginative brilliance of the story. The Sundara Kandam section in particular—centered entirely on Hanuman's daring mission to Lanka—stands as one of the most thrilling narrative arcs in epic poetry. To read it today is to experience a world where nature is alive with spirits, where devotion moves mountains, and where the human heart is tested against the vastness of destiny. It remains an indispensable read for lovers of folklore, mythic narrative, and classical literature.

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