Ramayana: Tales from Ancient India

Brief recap of the first two books of Ramayana Characters: Sage Valmiki, Sage Narada, King Dasaratha, Queens Kowsalya, Sumithra, Kaikeyi, Maharishi Vasishta, Vamadeva, Rajarishi Viswamithra, Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrugna, Sita, Guha, Bharadwaja, Atri, Anasuya Places: Ayodhya, Chitrakuta, Dandakaranya

Rama decides to leave Chitrakuta mountains and meets with Maharishi Atri and his renowned wife Devi Anasuya Anasuya Devi gives Sita divine clothes, garland that would never fade as well as ornaments, fragrance and cream to enhance Sita's beauty and bring more glory to Rama. Key characters: Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Maharishi Atri and Devi Anasuya, Valmiki, Ramayana in Chitrakuta mountains by River Mandakini

Rama and Bharata discuss next steps about who is to be king. Key characters: Rama, Bharata, Jabali, Vasishta, Dasaratha Places: Chitrakuta mountains, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Sringaberapura Valimiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda

Bharata, Shatrughna and their companions reach Chitrakuta mountains. Rama learns of his father's demise and performs his last rites. Bharata asks Rama to return to Ayodhya to be king. #Valmiki #Ramayana #Rama #Sita #Lakshmana #Bharata #Shatrughna #Vasishta #Guha #Sumatra #Kowsalya #Sumithra #Chitrakuta Key characters: Valmiki Rama Sita Lakshmana Bharata Shatrughna Vasishta Guha Sumatra Kowsalya Sumithra  Places of interest: Chitrakuta mountains, River Mandakini

Bharata, his kinsmen, army and tireless citizen followers arrive in Prayag and go beyond in search of Rama.  #Bharata #Prayag #Chitrakuta #Sage Bharadwaja 

Bharata reacts to his mother's ploys and grieves his losses. After Dasaratha's funeral, Bharata sets out of Ayodhya again. #ValmikiRamayana  #Valmiki #Ramayana #Bharata #Shatrugna #Dasaratha #Kowsalya #Kaikeyi #Sumithra #Vasishta #Sumatra #Guha #Bharadwaja 

A whimsical story about a sparrow's day, translated from original "kuruvi kadai". A sparrow found a grain of rice in the dirt and hauled it around so it could enjoy payasa, a sweet rice pudding.

This is a story in Tamil about a kuruvi, a sparrow that found a grain of rice and wanted to eat payasa, rice pudding. 

Ayodhya's Ministers & elders fear anarchy in Ayodhya and Kosala. Bharata is summoned and returns to Ayodhya right away. Kaikeyi meets Bharata #ValmikiRamayana #Valmiki #Ramayana #Vasishta #Sumatra #Bharata #Shatrugna #Kaikeyi

Dasaratha narrates an incident from his youth, and a curse from the past. 

Background stories about Dasaratha's past, Sage Vibandaka and his son Rshyashrnga

Sage Bharadwaja's gifts; Rama, Sita and Lakshmana's journey to scenic Chitrakuta; Sumatra returns to Ayodhya and witnesses King Dasarata and Queen Kowsalya's unbearable grief

Farewells, crossings and new meetings. Key characters: Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Guha, Sumatra, Sage Bharadwaja

Rama leaves Ayodhya trailed by a band of determined followers; Guha welcomes Rama

Sita reasons with Rama to accompany him during his exile. Rama leaves Ayodhya, with his parents blessings, to start his 14 years long exile in the forest.

Rama meets with King Dasaratha and Queen Kaikeyi and reaches a decision about his coronation. He informs Queen Kowsalya and his beloved Sita about his decision. 

Dasaratha and Kaikeyi spend the eve of Rama's coronation discussing Kaikeyi's demands

Queen Kaikeyi hears about Rama's coronation from her old attendant Mantra.

Rama qualifies to be Yuvaraj

Dasaratha's Rama meets Parasurama and wields the divine Vishnu bow. 

Sita's wedding in Mithila

This episode covers Rama's travel to Mithila, King Janaka's capital city via Vishala kingdom and a desolate ashram. Rama proves his worthiness and strength.

This episode covers the legend of River Ganga, aka River Bhageerathi in the higher reaches of Himalayas and a few of Rama's illustrious ancestors that came after King Harischandra and King Rohita.

Rama fights Tataka, Maricha and Subahu. Viswamitra narrates stories of Lord Vishnu's ancient incarnations.

Viswamitra's welcome in Ayodhya, followed by his request. Dasaratha's dilemma, a favor granted. Sights and sounds of Sarayu.

In this episode we hear stories about the creation of Trisanku's swarga, Shunashepa's champion, birth of Shakuntala, an apsara becoming a rock and Viswamitra meeting Vasishta again.

Who is  Vishwamitra?

This episode covers the story of Vasishta and the 4 princes' Gurukul education

In this episode, we start at the very beginning of cosmic creation, Vedas, Saptarishis and the lineage of Manu leading to Dasaratha's Rama.

This episode starts with introduction to the Rama's Solar Dynasty and its kings and goes on to describe Dasaratha's despair and his successful efforts to conceive a son, an heir to the throne of Ayodhya.

Ramayana is the story of Prince Rama of Ayodhya, his excellent wife Seetha Devi, princess of Mithila. Ramayana was composed by the wise sage Valmiki in 24,000 verses/slokas and 7 cantos. This magnum opus of Maharishi Valmiki is also considered to be the adikavya, the first poem in Sanskrit. It’s packed with adventures and many lessons to live an honest life fulfilling one’s Dharma, doing the right thing always despite hardships and ordeals.