Translation
Ramayanaरामायण
By Vālmīki (traditional attribution). Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith, 1874. Public domain.
The shorter of the two great Sanskrit epics — roughly 24,000 verses across seven kāṇḍas, narrating the life of Rāma. Griffith's verse translation in five volumes (1870–1874) is the most readable public-domain English version. Treats dharma, kingship, and exile through a more compact narrative arc than the Mahabharata. **Partial coverage at launch**: Wikisource has cleanly proofread Bāla Kāṇḍa (Book I), Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa (Book II), and the opening of Araṇya Kāṇḍa (Book III, cantos 1–24). The rest of Book III and Books IV–VII (Kiṣkindhā, Sundara, Yuddha, Uttara) exist only as scan-backed OCR and are not yet included; the project plans to add them as the upstream proofreading completes.
Chapters
Chapter 1
Book I — Canto I: Nárad
Chapter 2
Book I — Canto II: Brahmá's Visit
Chapter 3
Book I — Canto III: The Argument
Chapter 4
Book I — Canto IV: The Rhapsodists
Chapter 5
Book I — Canto V: Ayodhyá
Chapter 6
Book I — Canto VI: The King
Chapter 7
Book I — Canto VII: The Ministers
Chapter 8
Book I — Canto VIII: Sumantra's Speech
Chapter 9
Book I — Canto IX: Rishyas'ring
Chapter 10
Book I — Canto X: Rishyas'ring Invited
Chapter 11
Book I — Canto XI: The Sacrifice Decreed
Chapter 12
Book I — Canto XII: The Sacrifice Begun
Chapter 13
Book I — Canto XIII: The Sacrifice Finished
Chapter 14
Book I — Canto XIV: Rávan Doomed
Chapter 15
Book I — Canto XV: The Nectar
Chapter 16
Book I — Canto XVI: The Vánars
Chapter 17
Book I — Canto XVII: Rishyas'ring's Return
Chapter 18
Book I — Canto XVIII: Rishyas'ring's Departure
Chapter 19
Book I — Canto XIX: The Birth of The Princes
Chapter 20
Book I — Canto XX: Vis'vámitra's Visit
Chapter 21
Book I — Canto XXI: Vis'vámitra's Speech
Chapter 22
Book I — Canto XXII: Das'aratha's Speech
Chapter 23
Book I — Canto XXIII: Vas'ishtha's Speech
Chapter 24
Book I — Canto XXIV: The Spells
Chapter 25
Book I — Canto XXV: The Hermitage of Love
Chapter 26
Book I — Canto XXVI: The Forest of Tádaká
Chapter 27
Book I — Canto XXVII: The Birth of Tádaká
Chapter 28
Book I — Canto XXVIII: The Death of Tádaká
Chapter 29
Book I — Canto XXIX: The Celestial Arms
Chapter 30
Book I — Canto XXX: The Mysterious Powers
Chapter 31
Book I — Canto XXXI: The Perfect Hermitage
Chapter 32
Book I — Canto XXXII: Vis'vámitra's Sacrifice
Chapter 33
Book I — Canto XXXIII: The Sone
Chapter 34
Book I — Canto XXXIV: Brahmadatta
Chapter 35
Book I — Canto XXXV: Visvámitra's Lineage
Chapter 36
Book I — Canto XXXVI: The Birth of Gangá
Chapter 37
Book I — Canto XXXIX: The Sons of Sagar
Chapter 38
Book I — Canto XL: The Cleaving of The Earth
Chapter 39
Book I — Canto XLI: Kapil
Chapter 40
Book I — Canto XLII: Sagar's Sacrifice
Chapter 41
Book I — Canto XLIII: Bhagirath
Chapter 42
Book I — Canto XLIV: The Descent of Gangà
Chapter 43
Book I — Canto XLV: The Quest of The Amrit
Chapter 44
Book I — Canto XLVI: Diti's Hope
Chapter 45
Book I — Canto XLVII: Sumatí
Chapter 46
Book I — Canto XLVIII: Indra And Ahalyá
Chapter 47
Book I — Canto XLIX: Ahalyá Freed
Chapter 48
Book I — Canto L: Janak
Chapter 49
Book I — Canto LI: Vis'vámitra
Chapter 50
Book I — Canto LII: Vas'ishtha's Feast
Chapter 51
Book I — Canto LIII: Vis'vàmitra's Request
Chapter 52
Book I — Canto LIV: The Battle
Chapter 53
Book I — Canto LV: The Hermitage Burnt
Chapter 54
Book I — Canto LVI: Vis'vámitra's Vow
Chapter 55
Book I — Canto LVII: Tris'anku
Chapter 56
Book I — Canto LVIII: Tris'anku Cursed
Chapter 57
Book I — Canto LIX: The Sons of Vas'ishtha
Chapter 58
Book I — Canto LX: Tris'anku's Ascension
Chapter 59
Book I — Canto LXI: S'unahs'epha
Chapter 60
Book I — Canto LXII: Ambaresha's Sacrifice
Chapter 61
Book I — Canto LXIII: Menaká
Chapter 62
Book I — Canto LXIV: Rambhá
Chapter 63
Book I — Canto LXV: Vis'vámitra's Triumph
Chapter 64
Book I — Canto LXVI: Janak's Speech
Chapter 65
Book I — Canto LXVII: The Breaking of The Bow
Chapter 66
Book I — Canto LXVIII: The Envoys' Speech
Chapter 67
Book I — Canto LXIX: Das'aratha's Visit
Chapter 68
Book I — Canto LXX: The Maidens Sought
Chapter 69
Book I — Canto LXXI: Janak's Pedigree
Chapter 70
Book I — Canto LXXII: The Gift of Kine
Chapter 71
Book I — Canto LXXIII: The Nuptials
Chapter 72
Book I — Canto LXXIV: Ráma With The Axe
Chapter 73
Book I — Canto LXXV: The Parle
Chapter 74
Book I — Canto LXXVI: Debarred From Heaven
Chapter 75
Book I — Canto LXXVII: Bharat's Departure
Chapter 76
Book II — Canto I: The Heir Apparent
Chapter 77
Book II — Canto II: The People's Speech
Chapter 78
Book II — Canto III: Das'aratha's Precepts
Chapter 79
Book II — Canto IV: Ráma Summoned
Chapter 80
Book II — Canto V: Ráma's Fast
Chapter 81
Book II — Canto VI: The City Decorated
Chapter 82
Book II — Canto VII: Manthará's Lament
Chapter 83
Book II — Canto VIII: Manthará's Speech
Chapter 84
Book II — Canto IX: The Plot
Chapter 85
Book II — Canto X: Das'aratha's Speech
Chapter 86
Book II — Canto XI: The Queen's Demand
Chapter 87
Book II — Canto XII: Dasaratha's Lament
Chapter 88
Book II — Canto XIII: Das'aratha's Distress
Chapter 89
Book II — Canto XIV: Ráma Summoned
Chapter 90
Book II — Canto XV: The Preparations
Chapter 91
Book II — Canto XVI: Ráma Summoned
Chapter 92
Book II — Canto XVII: Ráma's Approach
Chapter 93
Book II — Canto XVIII: The Sentence
Chapter 94
Book II — Canto XIX: Ráma's Promise
Chapter 95
Book II — Canto XX: Kaus'alyá's Lament
Chapter 96
Book II — Canto XXI: Kaus'alyá Calmed
Chapter 97
Book II — Canto XXII: Lakshman Calmed
Chapter 98
Book II — Canto XXIII: Lakshman's Anger
Chapter 99
Book II — Canto XXIV: Kaus'alyá Calmed
Chapter 100
Book II — Canto XXV: Kaus'alya's Blessing
Chapter 101
Book II — Canto XXVI: Alone With Sitá
Chapter 102
Book II — Canto XXVII: Sítá's Speech
Chapter 103
Book II — Canto XXVIII: The Dangers of The Wood
Chapter 104
Book II — Canto XXIX: Sítá's Appeal
Chapter 105
Book II — Canto XXX: The Triumph of Love
Chapter 106
Book II — Canto XXXI: Lakshman's Prayer
Chapter 107
Book II — Canto XXXII: The Gift of The Treasures
Chapter 108
Book II — Canto XXXIII: The People's Lament
Chapter 109
Book II — Canto XXXIV: Ráma In The Palace
Chapter 110
Book II — Canto XXXV: Kaikeyí Reproached
Chapter 111
Book II — Canto XXXVI: Siddhárth's Speech
Chapter 112
Book II — Canto XXXVII: The Coats of Bark
Chapter 113
Book II — Canto XXXVIII: Care For Kaus'alyá
Chapter 114
Book II — Canto XXXIX: Counsel To Sítá
Chapter 115
Book II — Canto XL: Ráma's Departure
Chapter 116
Book II — Canto XLI: The Citizens' Lament
Chapter 117
Book II — Canto XLII: Das'aratha's Lament
Chapter 118
Book II — Canto XLIII: Kaus'alyá's Lament
Chapter 119
Book II — Canto XLIV: Sumitra's Speech
Chapter 120
Book II — Canto XLV: The Tamasá
Chapter 121
Book II — Canto XLVI: The Halt
Chapter 122
Book II — Canto XLVII: The Citizens' Return
Chapter 123
Book II — Canto XLVIII: The Women's Lament
Chapter 124
Book II — Canto XLIX: The Crossing of The Rivers
Chapter 125
Book II — Canto L: The Halt Under The Ingudí
Chapter 126
Book II — Canto LI: Lakshman's Lament
Chapter 127
Book II — Canto LII: The Crossing of Gangá
Chapter 128
Book II — Canto LIII: Ráma's Lament
Chapter 129
Book II — Canto LIV: Bharadvája's Hermitage
Chapter 130
Book II — Canto LV: The Passage of Yamuná
Chapter 131
Book II — Canto LVI: Chitrakuta
Chapter 132
Book II — Canto LVII: Sumantra's Return
Chapter 133
Book II — Canto LVIII: Ráma's Message
Chapter 134
Book II — Canto LIX: Das'aratha's Lament
Chapter 135
Book II — Canto LX: Kaus'alyá Consoled
Chapter 136
Book II — Canto LXI: Kauslaya's Lament
Chapter 137
Book II — Canto LXII: Das'aratha Consoled
Chapter 138
Book II — Canto LXIII: The Hermit's Son
Chapter 139
Book II — Canto LXIV: Das'aratha's Death
Chapter 140
Book II — Canto LXV: The Women's Lament
Chapter 141
Book II — Canto LXVI: The Embalming
Chapter 142
Book II — Canto LXVII: The Praise of Kings
Chapter 143
Book II — Canto LXVIII: The Envoys
Chapter 144
Book II — Canto LXIX: Bharat's Dream
Chapter 145
Book II — Canto LXX: Bharat's Departure
Chapter 146
Book II — Canto LXXI: Bharat's Return
Chapter 147
Book II — Canto LXXII: Bharat's Inquiry
Chapter 148
Book II — Canto LXXIII: Kaikeyí Reproached
Chapter 149
Book II — Canto LXXIV: Bharat's Lamest
Chapter 150
Book II — Canto LXXV: The Abjuration
Chapter 151
Book II — Canto LXXVI: The Funeral
Chapter 152
Book II — Canto LXXVII: The Gathering of The Ashes
Chapter 153
Book II — Canto LXXVIII: Manthará Punished
Chapter 154
Book II — Canto LXXIX: Bharat's Commands
Chapter 155
Book II — Canto LXXX: The Way Prepared
Chapter 156
Book II — Canto LXXXI: The Assembly
Chapter 157
Book II — Canto LXXXII: The Departure
Chapter 158
Book II — Canto LXXXIII: The Journey Begun
Chapter 159
Book II — Canto LXXXIV: Guha's Anger
Chapter 160
Book II — Canto LXXXV: Guha And Bharat
Chapter 161
Book II — Canto LXXXVI: Guha's Speech
Chapter 162
Book II — Canto LXXXVII: Guha's Story
Chapter 163
Book II — Canto LXXXVIII: The Ingudí Tree
Chapter 164
Book II — Canto LXXXIX: The Passage of Gangá
Chapter 165
Book II — Canto XC: The Hermitage
Chapter 166
Book II — Canto XCI: Bharadvája's Feast
Chapter 167
Book II — Canto XCII: Bharat's Farewell
Chapter 168
Book II — Canto XCIII: Chitrakúta In Sight
Chapter 169
Book II — Canto XCIV: Chitrakúta
Chapter 170
Book II — Canto XCV: Mandákiní
Chapter 171
Book II — Canto XCVI: The Magic Shaft
Chapter 172
Book II — Canto XCVII: Lakshman's Anger
Chapter 173
Book II — Canto XCVIII: Lakshman Calmed
Chapter 174
Book II — Canto XCIX: Bharat's Approach
Chapter 175
Book II — Canto C: The Meeting
Chapter 176
Book II — Canto CI: Bharat Questioned
Chapter 177
Book II — Canto CII: Bharat's Tidings
Chapter 178
Book II — Canto CIII: The Funeral Libation
Chapter 179
Book II — Canto CIV: The Meeting With The Queens
Chapter 180
Book II — Canto CV: Rama's Speech
Chapter 181
Book II — Canto CVI: Bharat's Speech
Chapter 182
Book II — Canto CVII: Ráma's Speech
Chapter 183
Book II — Canto CVIII: Jáváli's Speech
Chapter 184
Book II — Canto CIX: The Praises of Truth
Chapter 185
Book II — Canto CX: The Sons of Ikshva'ku
Chapter 186
Book II — Canto CXI: Counsel To Bharat
Chapter 187
Book II — Canto CXII: The Sandals
Chapter 188
Book II — Canto CXIII: Bharat's Beturn
Chapter 189
Book II — Canto CXIV: Bharat's Departure
Chapter 190
Book II — Canto CXV: Nandigrám.
Chapter 191
Book II — Canto CXVI: The Hermit's Speech
Chapter 192
Book II — Canto CXVII: Anasúyá
Chapter 193
Book II — Canto CXVIII: Anasúyá's Gifts
Chapter 194
Book II — Canto CXIX: The Forest
Chapter 195
Book III — Canto I: The Hermitage
Chapter 196
Book III — Canto II: Virádha
Chapter 197
Book III — Canto III: Virádha Attacked
Chapter 198
Book III — Canto IV: Virádha's Death
Chapter 199
Book III — Canto V: S'arabhanga
Chapter 200
Book III — Canto VI: Ráma's Promise
Chapter 201
Book III — Canto VII: Sutíkshna
Chapter 202
Book III — Canto VIII: The Hermitage
Chapter 203
Book III — Canto IX: Sita's Speech
Chapter 204
Book III — Canto X: Ráma's Reply
Chapter 205
Book III — Canto XI: Agastya
Chapter 206
Book III — Canto XII: The Heavenly Bow
Chapter 207
Book III — Canto XIII: Agastya's Counsel
Chapter 208
Book III — Canto XIV: Jatáyus
Chapter 209
Book III — Canto XV: Panchavatt
Chapter 210
Book III — Canto XVI: Winter
Chapter 211
Book III — Canto XVII: S'u'panakha'
Chapter 212
Book III — Canto XVIII: The Mutilation
Chapter 213
Book III — Canto XIX: The Rousing of Khara
Chapter 214
Book III — Canto XX: The Giants' Death
Chapter 215
Book III — Canto XXI: The Rousing of Khara
Chapter 216
Book III — Canto XXII: Khara's Wrath
Chapter 217
Book III — Canto XXIII: The Omens
Chapter 218
Book III — Canto XXIV: The Host In Sight