The Illustrated Ramayana for kids is meant to be read with context – the material is basic, and aims to serve as an introduction to the epic, and not an accurate attempt at a comprehensive translation of the meaning, both in letter and in spirit.
Sriman Narayana, which is another name for Vishnu, asked the Devas to take courage and shed their fears. He assured them he would appear on earth as a mortal…
After a short while, Rama and his brothers, with their brides, started on their way back to Ayodhya. Hardly had they begun their journey when they were confronted…
The news that Rama was to be crowned thrilled the whole of Ayodhya. Everyone was happy—all except an old hunchbacked woman named Manthara. Manthara, who was an attendant on Kaikeyi,…
Rama took leave of Kaikeyi and went to his mother’s apartments. Kausalya was shocked to hear that her son must part from her for full fourteen years. Rama comforted…
Here in Ayodhya, Dasaratha never recovered from his grief. Soon the land was without a ruler and Bharata, who had gone to his uncle’s place, was sent for. The…
Rama was deeply moved to hear the sad tale that Bharata told him. Bharata said, “Ayodhya is yours. How can I, a younger brother, bear the burden of ruling…
Rama was unhappy that the people of Ayodhya were forgetting their duties and daily cares in their love for him. He thought that if he stayed near Ayodhya…
Thoroughly disgraced and bleeding all over, Surpanakha hastened to Janasthana where her brother, Khara, was the chieftain. Khara was enraged at the wrong done to his sister. Accompanied by his…
Maricha, another rakshasa, would take the form of a beautiful golden deer and go to Panchavati. He would stray near Rama’s cottage. On seeing the enchanting deer, Sita was certain…
Ravana spoke of his great prowess and wealth and asked Sita to go with him to Lanka. He made many promises and said Rama was unworthy of her. When all his…
Meanwhile in Dandakarnya Rama, returning exhausted from the deer-hunt, met Lakshmana on the way. Rama rebuked his brother for having left Sita alone in the cottage and feared that she…
Near Pampa, the princes met a wise monkey called Hanuman who was the minister to Sugriva. Hanuman immediately took a liking for the princes and became a faithful friend…
Vali was a very powerful warrior and possessed many boons against defeat and failure. Sugriva doubted if Rama, was a match for Vali. Rama showed his prowess by performing…
All the vanaras helped in the search for Sita. One of the groups which went south learnt from Sampathi, the brother of Jatayu, that Sita was a prisoner of…
In Lanka, Hanuman began his search examining every mansion and scanning every nook and corner. He entered the palace of Ravana and saw therein the Pushpaka Vimana, the magic vimana of Kubera, which…
Maruthi of matchless intellect, climbed upon a lofty simsupa tree that was nearby and hid behind its leaves. Expecting the appearance of Sita from any quarter he…
Hanuman heard the two incidents narrated by Sita with rapt attention, so that he might repeat them verbatim to Rama and so that, on hearing them, Rama would not have…
Back among his own kind, Hanuman had a gripping story to tell. The vanaras were jubilant that the mission had succeeded. Hanuman gave Rama an account of all that had happened…
Meanwhile many things were happening in Lanka. Ravana was disturbed by the havoc wrought by a single vanara. The rakshasas urged Ravana to raise a. huge army and rout Rama and his vanara hordes. Vibhishana,…
Millions of vanaras were at work. They brought huge boulders from the hills and tall trees from the forests. Skilful workers laid them side-by-side and built a…
Kumbhakarna sallied forth into the battlefield. The vanaras were terrified when they saw the huge monstrous form advancing towards them. The mighty rakshasa killed hundreds of vanaras and spread panic in their…
Indrajit went to battle again. With his magic he became invisible and rained arrows on the vanaras. He tormented his opponents and tried to frighten Lakshmana. In the…
At Rama’s bidding Hanuman entered Lanka after getting Vibhishana’s permission and reported Rama’s success to Sita. Sita was stunned by the joyful news and remained silent. “Mother, why do you not speak…
Sri Rama made Vibhishana the King of Lanka. Vibhishana wanted Sri Rama to take rest so that He could leave for Ayodhya, next day. But as Bharata is taking severe austerities and waiting for…