The Complete Life of Rama

Drawing on the original Sanskrit words of the great poet Valmiki, enhanced with tales from the oral tradition, Vanamali retells the complete Ramayana, the ancient Indian tale of love, duty, and sacrifice, for a modern audience. Detailing the life and dharma of the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, Lord Ramachandra, she explains how Rama became divine through strict adherence to dharma, the law of cosmic righteousness. Considered one of the greatest love stories of all time, the Ramayanamost famously recounts Rama’s heroic journey, with the help of his loyal friend the monkey god Hanuman and his devoted brother Lakshmana, to rescue his beloved wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. Rama’s battle with the forces of evil provides powerful examples of heroic strength and loyalty, the dangers of spiritual delusion and false attachment, and the power of love, both human and divine. Capturing the mystical spirit and transcendental wisdom of this immortal story, Vanamali explains how the character of Rama has captivated devotees through the millennia because his story depicts eternal truths that appeal to the best in human nature. She reveals how even though Rama is an avatar of Vishnu, he still possesses many human weaknesses, such as attachments, desires, and anger. His greatness lies in the fact that he rose above these traits, put his spiritual duty above all personal considerations, and perfected himself to become a super human capable of saving those he loved most. Rama’s life shows that however weak we may be, each of us is capable of amazing feats through devotion, loyalty, perseverance, and love.

Mataji Devi Vanamali has written seven books on the gods of the Hindu pantheon, including Hanuman, The Play of God, The Song of Rama, and Shakti, as well as translating the Bhagavad Gita. She is the founder and president of Vanamali Gita Yogashram, dedicated to sharing the wisdom of Sanatana Dharma and charitable service to children. She lives at the Vanamali ashram at Rishikesh in northern India.

Foreword by His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj Foreword by His Holiness Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj Introduction Book One Bala Kanda Book of Boyhood Canto I. Valmiki Canto II. The Avatara Book Two Ayodhya Kanda Book of Ayodhya Canto I. Impending Coronation Canto II. Kaikeyi Contrives Canto III. The Banishment Canto IV. Bharata’s Vow Book Three Aranya Kanda Book of The Forest Canto I. The Forest Dwellers Canto II. Panchavati Canto III. The Night Rangers Canto IV. The Demon King Canto V. The Golden Deer Canto VI. The Abduction of Sita Canto VII. Rama Bereft Canto VIII. The Painful Trek Book Four Kishkinda Kanda Book of Kishkinda Canto I. The Famous Encounter Canto II. Pact with Sugriva Canto III. The Search for Sita Canto IV. The Eagle’s Counsel Book Five Sundara Kanda Book of Beauty Canto I. Leap to Lanka Canto II. The Ashoka Grove Canto III. Hanuman’s Wrath Book Six Yuddha Kanda Book of Battle Canto I. March of the Monkeys Canto II. Causeway to Lanka Canto III. The Siege of Lanka Canto IV. The Mighty Battle Canto V. Hanuman to the Rescue Canto VI. Indrajit Canto VII. The End of Ravana Canto VIII. Trial by Fire Canto IX. Return to Ayodhya Book Seven Uttara Kanda The Aftermath: The Best Book Canto I. Sita Abandoned Canto II. Dharma Triumphs Epilogue Phala-Shruti--List of Benefits Alphabetical List of Mantras Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Glossary of Names and Places Index