Kanda 1 of 7 · 77 sargas
बालकाण्ड
Book of Childhood
Bāla-kāṇḍa
Setting: Ayodhya and the forest hermitages of Vishwamitra
Central figure: The young Rama with Vishwamitra and Lakshmana
Kanda summary
The Ramayana opens with sage Valmiki receiving the story from Narada and being inspired to compose it in verse. Dasharatha, childless king of Ayodhya, performs the Putrakameshthi yajna; Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna are born. Sage Vishwamitra takes the young Rama and Lakshmana to protect his yajna — Rama kills Tataka, subdues Maricha and Subahu, lifts and breaks Shiva's bow at Janaka's court, and weds Sita. The kanda closes with Rama's wedding procession returning to Ayodhya.
Key episodes
- ●Birth of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna
- ●Vishwamitra's yajna protection
- ●Slaying of demoness Tataka
- ●Liberation of Ahalya
- ●Sita-Rama swayamvara — breaking of Shiva Dhanush
- ●Confrontation with Parashurama
Central teaching
Dharma begins with discipleship, devotion to elders, and the courage to act when called.