Swaveda

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.

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Chapters

  1. Chapter 1

    Book I — Canto I: Nárad

  2. Chapter 2

    Book I — Canto II: Brahmá's Visit

  3. Chapter 3

    Book I — Canto III: The Argument

  4. Chapter 4

    Book I — Canto IV: The Rhapsodists

  5. Chapter 5

    Book I — Canto V: Ayodhyá

  6. Chapter 6

    Book I — Canto VI: The King

  7. Chapter 7

    Book I — Canto VII: The Ministers

  8. Chapter 8

    Book I — Canto VIII: Sumantra's Speech

  9. Chapter 9

    Book I — Canto IX: Rishyas'ring

  10. Chapter 10

    Book I — Canto X: Rishyas'ring Invited

  11. Chapter 11

    Book I — Canto XI: The Sacrifice Decreed

  12. Chapter 12

    Book I — Canto XII: The Sacrifice Begun

  13. Chapter 13

    Book I — Canto XIII: The Sacrifice Finished

  14. Chapter 14

    Book I — Canto XIV: Rávan Doomed

  15. Chapter 15

    Book I — Canto XV: The Nectar

  16. Chapter 16

    Book I — Canto XVI: The Vánars

  17. Chapter 17

    Book I — Canto XVII: Rishyas'ring's Return

  18. Chapter 18

    Book I — Canto XVIII: Rishyas'ring's Departure

  19. Chapter 19

    Book I — Canto XIX: The Birth of The Princes

  20. Chapter 20

    Book I — Canto XX: Vis'vámitra's Visit

  21. Chapter 21

    Book I — Canto XXI: Vis'vámitra's Speech

  22. Chapter 22

    Book I — Canto XXII: Das'aratha's Speech

  23. Chapter 23

    Book I — Canto XXIII: Vas'ishtha's Speech

  24. Chapter 24

    Book I — Canto XXIV: The Spells

  25. Chapter 25

    Book I — Canto XXV: The Hermitage of Love

  26. Chapter 26

    Book I — Canto XXVI: The Forest of Tádaká

  27. Chapter 27

    Book I — Canto XXVII: The Birth of Tádaká

  28. Chapter 28

    Book I — Canto XXVIII: The Death of Tádaká

  29. Chapter 29

    Book I — Canto XXIX: The Celestial Arms

  30. Chapter 30

    Book I — Canto XXX: The Mysterious Powers

  31. Chapter 31

    Book I — Canto XXXI: The Perfect Hermitage

  32. Chapter 32

    Book I — Canto XXXII: Vis'vámitra's Sacrifice

  33. Chapter 33

    Book I — Canto XXXIII: The Sone

  34. Chapter 34

    Book I — Canto XXXIV: Brahmadatta

  35. Chapter 35

    Book I — Canto XXXV: Visvámitra's Lineage

  36. Chapter 36

    Book I — Canto XXXVI: The Birth of Gangá

  37. Chapter 37

    Book I — Canto XXXIX: The Sons of Sagar

  38. Chapter 38

    Book I — Canto XL: The Cleaving of The Earth

  39. Chapter 39

    Book I — Canto XLI: Kapil

  40. Chapter 40

    Book I — Canto XLII: Sagar's Sacrifice

  41. Chapter 41

    Book I — Canto XLIII: Bhagirath

  42. Chapter 42

    Book I — Canto XLIV: The Descent of Gangà

  43. Chapter 43

    Book I — Canto XLV: The Quest of The Amrit

  44. Chapter 44

    Book I — Canto XLVI: Diti's Hope

  45. Chapter 45

    Book I — Canto XLVII: Sumatí

  46. Chapter 46

    Book I — Canto XLVIII: Indra And Ahalyá

  47. Chapter 47

    Book I — Canto XLIX: Ahalyá Freed

  48. Chapter 48

    Book I — Canto L: Janak

  49. Chapter 49

    Book I — Canto LI: Vis'vámitra

  50. Chapter 50

    Book I — Canto LII: Vas'ishtha's Feast

  51. Chapter 51

    Book I — Canto LIII: Vis'vàmitra's Request

  52. Chapter 52

    Book I — Canto LIV: The Battle

  53. Chapter 53

    Book I — Canto LV: The Hermitage Burnt

  54. Chapter 54

    Book I — Canto LVI: Vis'vámitra's Vow

  55. Chapter 55

    Book I — Canto LVII: Tris'anku

  56. Chapter 56

    Book I — Canto LVIII: Tris'anku Cursed

  57. Chapter 57

    Book I — Canto LIX: The Sons of Vas'ishtha

  58. Chapter 58

    Book I — Canto LX: Tris'anku's Ascension

  59. Chapter 59

    Book I — Canto LXI: S'unahs'epha

  60. Chapter 60

    Book I — Canto LXII: Ambaresha's Sacrifice

  61. Chapter 61

    Book I — Canto LXIII: Menaká

  62. Chapter 62

    Book I — Canto LXIV: Rambhá

  63. Chapter 63

    Book I — Canto LXV: Vis'vámitra's Triumph

  64. Chapter 64

    Book I — Canto LXVI: Janak's Speech

  65. Chapter 65

    Book I — Canto LXVII: The Breaking of The Bow

  66. Chapter 66

    Book I — Canto LXVIII: The Envoys' Speech

  67. Chapter 67

    Book I — Canto LXIX: Das'aratha's Visit

  68. Chapter 68

    Book I — Canto LXX: The Maidens Sought

  69. Chapter 69

    Book I — Canto LXXI: Janak's Pedigree

  70. Chapter 70

    Book I — Canto LXXII: The Gift of Kine

  71. Chapter 71

    Book I — Canto LXXIII: The Nuptials

  72. Chapter 72

    Book I — Canto LXXIV: Ráma With The Axe

  73. Chapter 73

    Book I — Canto LXXV: The Parle

  74. Chapter 74

    Book I — Canto LXXVI: Debarred From Heaven

  75. Chapter 75

    Book I — Canto LXXVII: Bharat's Departure

  76. Chapter 76

    Book II — Canto I: The Heir Apparent

  77. Chapter 77

    Book II — Canto II: The People's Speech

  78. Chapter 78

    Book II — Canto III: Das'aratha's Precepts

  79. Chapter 79

    Book II — Canto IV: Ráma Summoned

  80. Chapter 80

    Book II — Canto V: Ráma's Fast

  81. Chapter 81

    Book II — Canto VI: The City Decorated

  82. Chapter 82

    Book II — Canto VII: Manthará's Lament

  83. Chapter 83

    Book II — Canto VIII: Manthará's Speech

  84. Chapter 84

    Book II — Canto IX: The Plot

  85. Chapter 85

    Book II — Canto X: Das'aratha's Speech

  86. Chapter 86

    Book II — Canto XI: The Queen's Demand

  87. Chapter 87

    Book II — Canto XII: Dasaratha's Lament

  88. Chapter 88

    Book II — Canto XIII: Das'aratha's Distress

  89. Chapter 89

    Book II — Canto XIV: Ráma Summoned

  90. Chapter 90

    Book II — Canto XV: The Preparations

  91. Chapter 91

    Book II — Canto XVI: Ráma Summoned

  92. Chapter 92

    Book II — Canto XVII: Ráma's Approach

  93. Chapter 93

    Book II — Canto XVIII: The Sentence

  94. Chapter 94

    Book II — Canto XIX: Ráma's Promise

  95. Chapter 95

    Book II — Canto XX: Kaus'alyá's Lament

  96. Chapter 96

    Book II — Canto XXI: Kaus'alyá Calmed

  97. Chapter 97

    Book II — Canto XXII: Lakshman Calmed

  98. Chapter 98

    Book II — Canto XXIII: Lakshman's Anger

  99. Chapter 99

    Book II — Canto XXIV: Kaus'alyá Calmed

  100. Chapter 100

    Book II — Canto XXV: Kaus'alya's Blessing

  101. Chapter 101

    Book II — Canto XXVI: Alone With Sitá

  102. Chapter 102

    Book II — Canto XXVII: Sítá's Speech

  103. Chapter 103

    Book II — Canto XXVIII: The Dangers of The Wood

  104. Chapter 104

    Book II — Canto XXIX: Sítá's Appeal

  105. Chapter 105

    Book II — Canto XXX: The Triumph of Love

  106. Chapter 106

    Book II — Canto XXXI: Lakshman's Prayer

  107. Chapter 107

    Book II — Canto XXXII: The Gift of The Treasures

  108. Chapter 108

    Book II — Canto XXXIII: The People's Lament

  109. Chapter 109

    Book II — Canto XXXIV: Ráma In The Palace

  110. Chapter 110

    Book II — Canto XXXV: Kaikeyí Reproached

  111. Chapter 111

    Book II — Canto XXXVI: Siddhárth's Speech

  112. Chapter 112

    Book II — Canto XXXVII: The Coats of Bark

  113. Chapter 113

    Book II — Canto XXXVIII: Care For Kaus'alyá

  114. Chapter 114

    Book II — Canto XXXIX: Counsel To Sítá

  115. Chapter 115

    Book II — Canto XL: Ráma's Departure

  116. Chapter 116

    Book II — Canto XLI: The Citizens' Lament

  117. Chapter 117

    Book II — Canto XLII: Das'aratha's Lament

  118. Chapter 118

    Book II — Canto XLIII: Kaus'alyá's Lament

  119. Chapter 119

    Book II — Canto XLIV: Sumitra's Speech

  120. Chapter 120

    Book II — Canto XLV: The Tamasá

  121. Chapter 121

    Book II — Canto XLVI: The Halt

  122. Chapter 122

    Book II — Canto XLVII: The Citizens' Return

  123. Chapter 123

    Book II — Canto XLVIII: The Women's Lament

  124. Chapter 124

    Book II — Canto XLIX: The Crossing of The Rivers

  125. Chapter 125

    Book II — Canto L: The Halt Under The Ingudí

  126. Chapter 126

    Book II — Canto LI: Lakshman's Lament

  127. Chapter 127

    Book II — Canto LII: The Crossing of Gangá

  128. Chapter 128

    Book II — Canto LIII: Ráma's Lament

  129. Chapter 129

    Book II — Canto LIV: Bharadvája's Hermitage

  130. Chapter 130

    Book II — Canto LV: The Passage of Yamuná

  131. Chapter 131

    Book II — Canto LVI: Chitrakuta

  132. Chapter 132

    Book II — Canto LVII: Sumantra's Return

  133. Chapter 133

    Book II — Canto LVIII: Ráma's Message

  134. Chapter 134

    Book II — Canto LIX: Das'aratha's Lament

  135. Chapter 135

    Book II — Canto LX: Kaus'alyá Consoled

  136. Chapter 136

    Book II — Canto LXI: Kauslaya's Lament

  137. Chapter 137

    Book II — Canto LXII: Das'aratha Consoled

  138. Chapter 138

    Book II — Canto LXIII: The Hermit's Son

  139. Chapter 139

    Book II — Canto LXIV: Das'aratha's Death

  140. Chapter 140

    Book II — Canto LXV: The Women's Lament

  141. Chapter 141

    Book II — Canto LXVI: The Embalming

  142. Chapter 142

    Book II — Canto LXVII: The Praise of Kings

  143. Chapter 143

    Book II — Canto LXVIII: The Envoys

  144. Chapter 144

    Book II — Canto LXIX: Bharat's Dream

  145. Chapter 145

    Book II — Canto LXX: Bharat's Departure

  146. Chapter 146

    Book II — Canto LXXI: Bharat's Return

  147. Chapter 147

    Book II — Canto LXXII: Bharat's Inquiry

  148. Chapter 148

    Book II — Canto LXXIII: Kaikeyí Reproached

  149. Chapter 149

    Book II — Canto LXXIV: Bharat's Lamest

  150. Chapter 150

    Book II — Canto LXXV: The Abjuration

  151. Chapter 151

    Book II — Canto LXXVI: The Funeral

  152. Chapter 152

    Book II — Canto LXXVII: The Gathering of The Ashes

  153. Chapter 153

    Book II — Canto LXXVIII: Manthará Punished

  154. Chapter 154

    Book II — Canto LXXIX: Bharat's Commands

  155. Chapter 155

    Book II — Canto LXXX: The Way Prepared

  156. Chapter 156

    Book II — Canto LXXXI: The Assembly

  157. Chapter 157

    Book II — Canto LXXXII: The Departure

  158. Chapter 158

    Book II — Canto LXXXIII: The Journey Begun

  159. Chapter 159

    Book II — Canto LXXXIV: Guha's Anger

  160. Chapter 160

    Book II — Canto LXXXV: Guha And Bharat

  161. Chapter 161

    Book II — Canto LXXXVI: Guha's Speech

  162. Chapter 162

    Book II — Canto LXXXVII: Guha's Story

  163. Chapter 163

    Book II — Canto LXXXVIII: The Ingudí Tree

  164. Chapter 164

    Book II — Canto LXXXIX: The Passage of Gangá

  165. Chapter 165

    Book II — Canto XC: The Hermitage

  166. Chapter 166

    Book II — Canto XCI: Bharadvája's Feast

  167. Chapter 167

    Book II — Canto XCII: Bharat's Farewell

  168. Chapter 168

    Book II — Canto XCIII: Chitrakúta In Sight

  169. Chapter 169

    Book II — Canto XCIV: Chitrakúta

  170. Chapter 170

    Book II — Canto XCV: Mandákiní

  171. Chapter 171

    Book II — Canto XCVI: The Magic Shaft

  172. Chapter 172

    Book II — Canto XCVII: Lakshman's Anger

  173. Chapter 173

    Book II — Canto XCVIII: Lakshman Calmed

  174. Chapter 174

    Book II — Canto XCIX: Bharat's Approach

  175. Chapter 175

    Book II — Canto C: The Meeting

  176. Chapter 176

    Book II — Canto CI: Bharat Questioned

  177. Chapter 177

    Book II — Canto CII: Bharat's Tidings

  178. Chapter 178

    Book II — Canto CIII: The Funeral Libation

  179. Chapter 179

    Book II — Canto CIV: The Meeting With The Queens

  180. Chapter 180

    Book II — Canto CV: Rama's Speech

  181. Chapter 181

    Book II — Canto CVI: Bharat's Speech

  182. Chapter 182

    Book II — Canto CVII: Ráma's Speech

  183. Chapter 183

    Book II — Canto CVIII: Jáváli's Speech

  184. Chapter 184

    Book II — Canto CIX: The Praises of Truth

  185. Chapter 185

    Book II — Canto CX: The Sons of Ikshva'ku

  186. Chapter 186

    Book II — Canto CXI: Counsel To Bharat

  187. Chapter 187

    Book II — Canto CXII: The Sandals

  188. Chapter 188

    Book II — Canto CXIII: Bharat's Beturn

  189. Chapter 189

    Book II — Canto CXIV: Bharat's Departure

  190. Chapter 190

    Book II — Canto CXV: Nandigrám.

  191. Chapter 191

    Book II — Canto CXVI: The Hermit's Speech

  192. Chapter 192

    Book II — Canto CXVII: Anasúyá

  193. Chapter 193

    Book II — Canto CXVIII: Anasúyá's Gifts

  194. Chapter 194

    Book II — Canto CXIX: The Forest

  195. Chapter 195

    Book III — Canto I: The Hermitage

  196. Chapter 196

    Book III — Canto II: Virádha

  197. Chapter 197

    Book III — Canto III: Virádha Attacked

  198. Chapter 198

    Book III — Canto IV: Virádha's Death

  199. Chapter 199

    Book III — Canto V: S'arabhanga

  200. Chapter 200

    Book III — Canto VI: Ráma's Promise

  201. Chapter 201

    Book III — Canto VII: Sutíkshna

  202. Chapter 202

    Book III — Canto VIII: The Hermitage

  203. Chapter 203

    Book III — Canto IX: Sita's Speech

  204. Chapter 204

    Book III — Canto X: Ráma's Reply

  205. Chapter 205

    Book III — Canto XI: Agastya

  206. Chapter 206

    Book III — Canto XII: The Heavenly Bow

  207. Chapter 207

    Book III — Canto XIII: Agastya's Counsel

  208. Chapter 208

    Book III — Canto XIV: Jatáyus

  209. Chapter 209

    Book III — Canto XV: Panchavatt

  210. Chapter 210

    Book III — Canto XVI: Winter

  211. Chapter 211

    Book III — Canto XVII: S'u'panakha'

  212. Chapter 212

    Book III — Canto XVIII: The Mutilation

  213. Chapter 213

    Book III — Canto XIX: The Rousing of Khara

  214. Chapter 214

    Book III — Canto XX: The Giants' Death

  215. Chapter 215

    Book III — Canto XXI: The Rousing of Khara

  216. Chapter 216

    Book III — Canto XXII: Khara's Wrath

  217. Chapter 217

    Book III — Canto XXIII: The Omens

  218. Chapter 218

    Book III — Canto XXIV: The Host In Sight