Ramayana in French
रामायण
Adikavya: The First Poem
A timeless journey of dharma, devotion, exile, and return.
Start ReadingAbout This Book
The Ramayana is one of India's most revered epics, narrating the life and journey of Lord Rama, the ideal human being and embodiment of dharma. Through exile, trials, devotion, and unwavering values, the Ramayana explores what it means to live rightly in the world.
How This Book Is Organised
The Ramayana is structured to guide the reader step by step through its narrative.
Kandas
Major sections of the story
Sargas
Chapters within each Kanda
Shloka
Verses read one by one
Available Reading Features
This edition of the Ramayana on Vedapath includes:
Original Sanskrit verses (Devanāgarī)
Transliteration for guided reading
Word-by-word meanings
Clear, faithful translations
Contextual explanations for deeper understanding
Kandas of the Ramayana
The Ramayana is traditionally divided into six Kandas.
Each Kanda represents a distinct phase in Rama's journey.
Bāla Kāṇḍa — Book of Youth, Beginnings, and Origins
The Book of Childhood - describes the birth and early life of Rama
Le Bāla Kāṇḍa constitue la charpente fondatrice du Rāmāyaṇa : il encadre la naissance du poème (kāvya-janma), établit le profil dharmique de Rāma et expose les conditions dynastiques, rituelles et cosmologiques qui préparent le conflit central.
Ayodhya Kanda — Book of Ayodhya (the royal capital and its crisis)
The Book of Ayodhya - describes events in Ayodhya leading to Rama's exile
L’Ayodhyākāṇḍa constitue le tournant éthique et politique décisif du Rāmāyaṇa : la promesse publique de consacrer Rāma comme yauvarājya s’effondre et se change en vanavāsa, sous le choc entre le dharma royal, le désir privé et la force irrévocable de la parole donnée.
Araṇya Kāṇḍa - Book of the Forest (The Wilderness/Exile in the Woods)
The Book of the Forest - describes Rama's life in the forest
L’Araṇya Kāṇḍa constitue le pivot central du Rāmāyaṇa : le récit de l’exil, d’épreuve morale, s’élargit en catastrophe épique.
Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa — Book of Kiṣkindhā (the Vanara capital; alliance and mobilization)
The Book of Kishkindha - describes the kingdom of the Vanaras
Le Kiṣkindhākāṇḍa marque le tournant décisif du Ramayana : de l’errance solitaire dans la forêt à la politique des coalitions et à l’action organisée.
Sundara Kanda — Book of Beauty/Excellence (the ‘beautiful’ book, celebrated for its literary and spiritual brilliance)
The Beautiful Book - describes Hanuman's journey to Lanka
Le Sundarakāṇḍa constitue la charnière narrative et émotionnelle du Rāmāyaṇa de Vālmīki : il concentre la quête au-dehors en un seul acteur, Hanumān, dont la buddhi (intelligence), la bhakti (dévotion) et le vīrya (vaillance) deviennent le moyen par lequel la cause de Rāma…
Yuddha Kanda - (Book of War/Battle)
The Book of War - describes the battle between Rama and Ravana
Le Yuddhakāṇḍa constitue l’apogée martiale et théologique de l’Ādikāvya de Vālmīki : il relate la campagne de Laṅkā qui s’achève par la délivrance de Sītā et la chute de Rāvaṇa.
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