Invocations

Preparations for Śrī Rāma’s installation as the Prince Regent of Ayodhyā; the god’s concern over the same and their approaching Goddess Sarasvatī for help

Sarasvatī perverts the mind of Mantharā (a handmaid of queen Kaikeyī); a dialogue between Kaikeyī and Mantharā

Kaikeyī enters the sulking-chamber

Dialogue between king Daśaratha and Kaikeyī; Daśaratha’s lamentation; Sumantra goes to the palace and, returning from it, sends Śrī Rāma to His father

Dialogue between Śrī Rāma and mother Kaikeyī

Dialogue between Śrī Rāma and His father; the sadness of the people of Ayodhyā; their remonstrances with Kaikeyī

Dialogue between Śrī Rāma and mother Kausalyā

Dialogue between Sītā and Śrī Rāma

Dialogue between Śrī Rāma, Kausalyā and Sītā

Dialogue between Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa

Dialogue between Lakṣmaṇa and mother Sumitrā

Śrī Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā call on king Daśaratha to take leave of him; Daśaratha’s advice to Sītā

Śrī Rāma, Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa proceed to the woods and slip past the citizens buried in slumber

Śrī Rāma’s arrival at srngaverapura; the Niṣāda chief’s services

Dialogue between Lakṣmaṇa and the Niṣāda; Sumantra’s dialogue with Śrī Rāma and Sītā and his returning to Ayodhyā

The boatman’s love and the passage across the Gaṅgā

Arrival at Prayāga and dialogue between Śrī Rāma and the sage Bharadvāja; the love of the people inhabiting the bank of the Yamunā

The episode of an ascetic

Śrī Rāma greets the Yamunā; love of the villagers

Dialogue between Śrī Rāma and the sage Vālmīki

Śrī Rāma takes up His abode at Citrakūṭa; the services of the Kolas and Bhīlas

Sumantra returns to Ayodhyā and finds the city a picture of grief

Dialogue between king Daśaratha and Sumantra, Daśaratha’s passing away

The sage Vasiṣṭha sends envoys to call Bharata

Arrival and lamentation of Bharata and Śatrughna

Dialogue between Bharata and mother Kausalyā and king Daśaratha’s cremation

Dialogue between the sage Vasiṣṭha and Bharata; Bharata prepares for a journey to Citrakūṭa in order to bring Śrī Rāma back to Ayodhyā

Departure of Bharata and Śatrughna with the citizens of Ayodhyā to the woods

The Niṣāda’s suspicion and precautions

Bharata’s meeting and dialogue with the Niṣāda chief; the love of Bharata and the citizens of Ayodhyā for Śrī Rāma

Bharata’s arrival at Prayāga and dialogue between Bharata and the sage Bharadvāja

Bharadvāja shows hospitality to Bharata

Dialogue between Indra and his preceptor (the sage Bṛhaspati)

Bharata on his way to Citrakūṭa

Sitas dream; the Kolas and Kirātas bring news of Bharata’s arrival to Śrī Rāma; Śrī Rāma’s concern at the report; Lakṣmaṇa’s outburst of passion

Śrī Rāma admonishes Lakṣmaṇa and dwells on Bharata’s greatness

Bharata takes a dip in the Mandākinī and arrives at Citrakūṭa; Bharata and others meet one another, mourn the king’s death and perform his Śrāddha (obsequies)

Hospitality of the foresters towards Bharata and his party; Kaikeyī’s remorse

Vasiṣṭha’s speech

Dialogue between Śrī Rāma, Bharata and others

King Janaka’s arrival at Citrakūṭa; the Kolas and Kirātas offer presents to the visitors and all meet one another

Dialogue between queens Kausalyā and Sunayanā (king Janaka’s wife); Sītā’s amiability

Dialogue between king Janaka and his wife; Bharata’s glory

Dialogue between king Janaka and Bharata; Indra’s anxiety; Goddess Sarasvatī’s admonition to Indra

Dialogue between the sage Vasiṣṭha, Śrī Rāma and Bharata

Bharata deposits the sacred waters; his perambulation through Citrakūṭa

Dialogue between Śrī Rāma and Bharata; the gift of sandals; Bharata’s farewell

Returning to Ayodhyā, Bharata enthrones the sandals and takes up his residence at Nandigrama; the virtue of listening to Bharata’s story