Rāmāyana, Volume 1: Bālakāndam
by Valmiki

Name: Rāmāyana, Volume 1: Bālakāndam
Author: Valmiki

The Bālakāṇḍa, or the Book of Childhood, is the first book of the ancient Indian epic, the Rāmāyaṇa. It narrates the early life of Rama, the protagonist of the epic, from his birth to his marriage to Sita. The Bālakāṇḍa is a significant part of the Rāmāyaṇa, as it sets the stage for the events that unfold in the subsequent books. It introduces the main characters and establishes the backstory that will shape their destinies.

'Rāmāyana, Volume 1: Bālakāndam' Summary

The Bālakāṇḍa begins with the birth of Rama in the city of Ayodhya. Rama is the eldest son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya. He is a divine incarnation of the god Vishnu and is destined to slay the demon king Ravana. The Bālakāṇḍa recounts Rama's childhood and his education under the sage Vishwamitra. It also narrates the story of Rama's marriage to Sita, the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila. The Bālakāṇḍa ends with Rama's coronation as the king of Ayodhya.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

Published In

Genre/Category

Adventure Fiction Mythology Religion

Tags/Keywords

Epic Adventure Ancient Mythology Culture Values Childhood Legends Hinduism India Tales Rama

Authors

Valmiki

India

Valmiki is celebrated as the harbinger-poet in Sanskrit literature. The epic Ramayana, dated variously from the 5th century BCE to first century BCE, is attributed to him, based on the attribution in...

Books by Valmiki