Book 3 of the Valmiki Ramayana

Aranya Kand — The Book of the Forest

अरण्यकाण्ड

Exile turns to catastrophe when a spurned demoness sets a golden trap.

Episodes in this kanda

  • The Demoness Spurned — Ravana's sister desires Rama, is turned away by both brothers, and leaves disfigured — carrying a grudge straight to Lanka.
  • Fourteen Thousand Demons — Shurpanakha's brothers march on Rama with fourteen thousand demons — and a single archer leaves the forest silent.
  • The Golden Deer — A deer of impossible gold crosses the clearing, and Sita's longing for it opens the door to disaster.
  • The Abduction of Sita — With both brothers lured away, Ravana strikes — and an old vulture gives his life trying to stop him.
  • Shabari's Berries — An old devotee waits a lifetime to offer Rama berries she has already tasted — and he receives them as the purest worship.

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