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.