The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24869

Title

The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Ralph T. H. Griffith's verse translation of Valmiki's epic chronicles Prince Ráma's exile, the abduction of Sítá by Rávan, and the subsequent war to restore dharma. Rich with mythological lore and moral instruction, this edition offers a profound exploration of duty, devotion, and divine intervention.

Summary up to 500 words

Ralph T. H. Griffith's verse translation of Valmiki's *Rāmāyaṇa* presents the complete epic narrative, beginning with the divine birth of the princes in Ayodhyā and the legendary sacrifice of the Brahmin Visvāmitra. The central plot ignites when King Daśaratha, bound by a solemn vow, is compelled to exile his son Rāma for fourteen years. Rāma's devoted wife, Sītā, accompanies him, while his brother Lakṣmaṇa pledges his life to protect them. Their journey through the forest tests their resolve against formidable demons like Marīcī and Subāhu, and the seduction of Rāma by the demon king Rāvaṇa. The conflict escalates when Rāvaṇa abducts Sītā, prompting Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to seek aid from the Vanara king Sugrīva. The heroic Hanumān crosses the ocean to Lanka, rescues Sītā, and sets fire to the demon city. The epic culminates in a massive battle where Rāma defeats Rāvaṇa's generals, including the giant Kumbhakarna, and finally slays the demon king. Rāma returns to Ayodhyā to reclaim his throne, restoring order and righteousness. Throughout the text, Griffith interweaves stories of other heroes like Paraśurāma and moral tales, such as the Suppliant Dove, illustrating the complexities of fate, caste, and divine justice. The translation captures the intricate interplay of duty, devotion, and the cosmic struggle between good and evil that defines the Indian epic tradition.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24869.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg24869.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-06-30 20:10 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Religion
• Poetry