The Rāmāyaṇa
English Translation

Welcome to the electronic text of Ralph T. H. Griffith's English verse translation of the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki (Benares & London, 1870–1874). The Rāmāyaṇa is one of the two great Sanskrit epics of ancient India, narrating the story of Rāma, prince of Ayodhyā, and his quest to rescue his wife Sītā from the demon king Rāvaṇa.

The translation spans six books (Kāṇḍas) and is divided here into individual cantos. Each file contains the full text of the corresponding canto. Despite best efforts in the original digitization, a small number of passages remain difficult to read and are indicated by asterisks or (illegible).

If you find any error in the text, please report it to the digital archive maintainers at virenmir <at> gmail.com.

Contents – English Translation (Griffith, 1870–1874)

Title Page
Title Page
Invocation
Invocation
BOOK I
Book I
Canto I: Nárad.
Canto II: Brahmá's Visit
Canto III.: The Argument.
Canto IV.: The Rhapsodists.
Canto V.: Ayodhyá
Canto VI.: The King.
Canto VII.: The Ministers.
Canto VIII.: Sumantra's Speech.
Canto IX.: Rishyas'ring.
Canto X.: Rishyas'ring Invited.
Canto XI: The Sacrifice Decreed.
Canto XII.: The Sacrifice Begun.
Canto XIII.: The Sacrifice Finished.
Canto XIV.: Rávan Doomed.
Canto XV.: The Nectar.
Canto XVI.: The Vánars.
Canto XVII.: Rishyas'ring's Return.
Canto XVIII.: Rishyas'ring's Departure.
Canto XIX.: The Birth of The Princes.
Canto XX.: Vis'vámitra's Visit.
Canto XXI.: Vis'vámitra's Speech.
Canto XXII.: Das'aratha's Speech.
Canto XXIII.: Vas'ishtha's Speech.
Canto XXIV.: The Spells.
Canto XXV.: The Hermitage of Love.
Canto XXVI.: The Forest of Tádaká.
Canto XXVII.: The Birth of Tádaká.
Canto XXVIII.: The Death of Tádaká
Canto XXIX. : The Celestial Arms.
Canto XXX.: The Mysterious Powers.
Canto XXXI: The Perfect Hermitage.
Canto XXXII.: Vis'vámitra's Sacrifice.
Canto XXXIII.: The Sone.
Canto XXXIV.: Brahmadatta.
Canto XXXV: Visvámitra's Lineage.
Canto XXXVI.: The Birth of Gangá.
Canto XXXIX.: The Sons of Sagar.
Canto XL.: The Cleaving of The Earth.
Canto XLI.: Kapil.
Canto XLII.: Sagar's Sacrifice.
Canto XLIII.: Bhagirath.
Canto XLIV.: The Descent of Gangà.
Canto XLV.: The Quest of The Amrit.
Canto XLVI.: Diti's Hope.
Canto XLVII.: Sumatí.
Canto XLVIII.: Indra And Ahalyá
Canto XLIX.: Ahalyá Freed.
Canto L.: Janak.
Canto LI.: Vis'vámitra.
Canto LII.: Vas'ishtha's Feast.
Canto LIII.: Vis'vàmitra's Request.
Canto LIV.: The Battle.
Canto LV.: The Hermitage Burnt.
Canto LVI.: Vis'vámitra's Vow.
Canto LVII.: Tris'anku.
Canto LVIII.: Tris'anku Cursed.
Canto LIX.: The Sons of Vas'ishtha.
Canto LX.: Tris'anku's Ascension.
Canto LXI: S'unahs'epha.
Canto LXII.: Ambaresha's Sacrifice.
Canto LXIII.: Menaká.
Canto LXIV.: Rambhá.
Canto LXV.: Vis'vámitra's Triumph
Canto LXVI.: Janak's Speech.
Canto LXVII.: The Breaking of The Bow.
Canto LXVIII.: The Envoys' Speech.
Canto LXIX.: Das'aratha's Visit.
Canto LXX.: The Maidens Sought.
Canto LXXI.: Janak's Pedigree.
Canto LXXII.: The Gift of Kine.
Canto LXXIII.: The Nuptials.
Canto LXXIV.: Ráma With The Axe.
Canto LXXV.: The Parle.
Canto LXXVI.: Debarred From Heaven.
Canto LXXVII.: Bharat's Departure.
Book II
Book II
Canto I.: The Heir Apparent.
Canto II.: The People's Speech.
Canto III.: Das'aratha's Precepts.
Canto IV.: Ráma Summoned.
Canto V.: Ráma's Fast.
Canto VI.: The City Decorated.
Canto VII.: Manthará's Lament.
Canto VIII: Manthará's Speech.
Canto IX.: The Plot.
Canto X.: Das'aratha's Speech.
Canto XI.: The Queen's Demand.
Canto XII.: Dasaratha's Lament.
Canto XIII.: Das'aratha's Distress.
Canto XIV.: Ráma Summoned.
Canto XV.: The Preparations.
Canto XVI.: Ráma Summoned.
Canto XVII.: Ráma's Approach.
Canto XVIII.: The Sentence.
Canto XIX.: Ráma's Promise.
Canto XX.: Kaus'alyá's Lament.
Canto XXI.: Kaus'alyá Calmed.
Canto XXII.: Lakshman Calmed.
Canto XXIII.: Lakshman's Anger.
Canto XXIV.: Kaus'alyá Calmed.
Canto XXV.: Kaus'alya's Blessing.
Canto XXVI.: Alone With Sitá
Canto XXVII.: Sítá's Speech.
Canto XXVIII.: The Dangers of The Wood.
Canto XXIX.: Sítá's Appeal.
Canto XXX.: The Triumph of Love.
Canto XXXI.: Lakshman's Prayer.
Canto XXXII.: The Gift of The Treasures.
Canto XXXIII.: The People's Lament.
Canto XXXIV.: Ráma In The Palace.
Canto XXXV.: Kaikeyí Reproached.
Canto XXXVI.: Siddhárth's Speech.
Canto XXXVII.: The Coats of Bark.
Canto XXXVIII.: Care For Kaus'alyá
Canto XXXIX.: Counsel To Sítá.
Canto XL.: Ráma's Departure.
Canto XLI.: The Citizens' Lament.
Canto XLII.: Das'aratha's Lament.
Canto XLIII.: Kaus'alyá's Lament.
Canto XLIV.: Sumitra's Speech.
Canto XLV.: The Tamasá.
Canto XLVI.: The Halt.
Canto XLVII.: The Citizens' Return.
Canto XLVIII.: The Women's Lament.
Canto XLIX.: The Crossing of The Rivers.
Canto L.: The Halt Under The Ingudí.
Canto LI.: Lakshman's Lament.
Canto LII.: The Crossing of Gangá.
Canto LIII.: Ráma's Lament.
Canto LIV.: Bharadvája's Hermitage.
Canto LV.: The Passage of Yamuná.
Canto LVI.: Chitrakuta.
Canto LVII.: Sumantra's Return.
Canto LVIII.: Ráma's Message.
Canto LIX: Das'aratha's Lament.
Canto LX.: Kaus'alyá Consoled.
Canto LXI.: Kauslaya's Lament.
Canto LXII.: Das'aratha Consoled.
Canto LXIII.: The Hermit's Son.
Canto LXIV.: Das'aratha's Death.
Canto LXV.: The Women's Lament.
Canto LXVI.: The Embalming.
Canto LXVII.: The Praise of Kings.
Canto LXVIII.: The Envoys.
Canto LXIX.: Bharat's Dream.
Canto LXX.: Bharat's Departure.
Canto LXXI.: Bharat's Return.
Canto LXXII.: Bharat's Inquiry.
Canto LXXIII.: Kaikeyí Reproached.
Canto LXXIV.: Bharat's Lamest.
Canto LXXV.: The Abjuration.
Canto LXXVI.: The Funeral
Canto LXXVII.: The Gathering of The Ashes.
Canto LXXVIII.: Manthará Punished.
Canto LXXIX.: Bharat's Commands.
Canto LXXX.: The Way Prepared.
Canto LXXXI.: The Assembly.
Canto LXXXII.: The Departure.
Canto LXXXIII.: The Journey Begun.
Canto LXXXIV.: Guha's Anger.
Canto LXXXV.: Guha And Bharat.
Canto LXXXVI.: Guha's Speech.
Canto LXXXVII.: Guha's Story.
Canto LXXXVIII.: The Ingudí Tree.
Canto LXXXIX.: The Passage of Gangá.
Canto XC.: The Hermitage.
Canto XCI.: Bharadvája's Feast.
Canto XCII.: Bharat's Farewell.
Canto XCIII.: Chitrakúta In Sight.
Canto XCIV.: Chitrakúta.
Canto XCV.: Mandákiní.
Canto XCVI. : The Magic Shaft.
Canto XCVII.: Lakshman's Anger.
Canto XCVIII: Lakshman Calmed.
Canto XCIX.: Bharat's Approach.
Canto C.: The Meeting.
Canto CI.: Bharat Questioned.
Canto CII.: Bharat's Tidings.
Canto CIII.: The Funeral Libation.
Canto CIV.: The Meeting With The Queens.
Canto CV.: Rama's Speech.
Canto CVI.: Bharat's Speech.
Canto CVII.: Ráma's Speech.
Canto CVIII.: Jáváli's Speech.
Canto CIX.: The Praises of Truth.
Canto CX.: The Sons of Ikshva'ku.
Canto CXI.: Counsel To Bharat.
Canto CXII.: The Sandals.
Canto CXIII.: Bharat's Beturn.
Canto CXIV.: Bharat's Departure.
Canto CXV.: Nandigrám.
Canto CXVI.: The Hermit's Speech.
Canto CXVII.: Anasúyá.
Canto CXVIII.: Anasúyá's Gifts.
Canto CXIX.: The Forest.
BOOK III
Book III
Canto I.: The Hermitage.
Canto II.: Virádha.
Canto III.: Virádha Attacked.
Canto IV.: Virádha's Death.
Canto V.: S'arabhanga.
Canto VI.: Ráma's Promise.
Canto VII.: Sutíkshna.
Canto VIII.: The Hermitage.
Canto IX.: Sita's Speech.
Canto X.: Ráma's Reply.
Canto XI.: Agastya.
Canto XII.: The Heavenly Bow.
Canto XIII.: Agastya's Counsel.
Canto XIV.: Jatáyus.
Canto XV.: Panchavatt.
Canto XVI.: Winter.
Canto XVII.: S'u'panakha'
Canto XVIII.: The Mutilation.
Canto XIX.: The Rousing of Khara.
Canto XX.: The Giants' Death.
Canto XXI.: The Rousing of Khara.
Canto XXII: Khara's Wrath.
Canto XXIII.: The Omens.
Canto XXIV.: The Host In Sight.
Canto XXV.: The Battle.
Canto XXVI.: Dúshan's Death.
Canto XXVII.: The Death of Tris'iras.
Canto XXVIII.: Khara Dismounted.
Canto XXIX.: Khara's Defeat.
Canto XXX.: Khara's Death.
Canto XXXI.: Rávan
Canto XXXII.: Rávan Roused.
Canto XXXIII.: Súrpanakhá's Speech.
Canto XXXIV.: Sûrpanakhá's Speech.
Canto XXXV.: Rávan's Journey.
Canto XXXVI.: Rávan's Speech.
Canto XXXVII.: Márícha's Speech.
Canto XXXVIII.: Márícha's Speech.
Canto XXXIX.: Márícha's Speech.
Canto XL.: Rávan's Speech.
Canto XLI.: Márícha's Reply.
Canto XLII.: Márícha Transformed.
Canto XLIII.: The Wondrous Deer.
Canto XLIV: Artcha's Death
Canto XLV.: Lakshman's Departure.
Canto XLVI.: The Guest.
Canto XLVII: Rávan's Wooing.
Canto XLVIII: Rávan's Speech.
Canto XLIX.: The Rape of Sitá.
Canto L.: Jatáyus.
Canto LI.: The Combat.
Canto LII.: Rávan's Flight.
Canto LIII.: Sitá's Threats.
Canto LIV.: Lanká.
Canto LV.: Sítá In Prison.
Canto LVI.: Sítá's Disdain.
Canto LVII.: Sítá Comforted.
Canto LVIII.: The Brothers' Meeting.
Canto LIX.: Ráma's Return.
Canto LX.: Lakshman Reproved.
Canto LXI.: Ráma's Lament.
Canto LXII.: Ráma's Lament.
Canto LXIII.: Ráma's Lament.
Canto LXIV.: Rama's Lament.
Canto LXV.: Rama's Wrath.
Canto LXVI.: Lakshman's Speech.
Canto LXVII.: Ráma Appeased.
Canto LXVIII.: Jatáyus.
Canto LXIX.: The Death of Jatáyus.
Canto LXX.: Kabandha.
Canto LXXI.: Kabandha's Speech.
Canto LXXII.: Kabandha's Tale.
Canto LXXIII.: Kabandha's Counsel.
Canto LXXIV.: Kabandha's Death.
Canto LXXV.: Savari
Canto LXXVI.: Pampá.
BOOK IV
Book IV
Canto I.: Ráma's Lament.
Canto II.: Sugríva's Alarm.
Canto IV: Lakshman's Reply.
Canto V.: The League.
Canto VI.: The Tokens.
Canto VII.: Ráma Consoled.
Canto VIII.: Ráma's Promise.
Canto IX.: Sugríva's Story.
Canto X.: Sugríva's Story.
Canto XI.: Dundubhi.
Canto XII.: The Palm Trees.
Canto XIII.: The Return To Kishkindhá.
Canto XIV.: The Challenge.
Canto XV.: Tará.
Canto XVI.: The Fall of Báli.
Canto XVII.: Báli's Speech.
Canto XVIII.: Ráma's Reply.
Canto XIX.: Tárá's Grief.
Canto XX.: Tárá's Lament.
Canto XXI.: Hanumán's Speech.
Canto XXII.: Báli Dead.
Canto XXIII.: Tárá's Lament.
Canto XXIV.: Sugríva's Lament.
Canto XXV.: Ráma's Speech.
Canto XXVI.: The Coronation.
Canto XXVII.: Ráma On The Hill.
Canto XXVIII.: The Rains.
Canto XXIX.: Hanumán's Counsel.
Canto XXX.: Ráma's Lament.
Canto XXXI.: The Envoy.
Canto XXXII.: Hanuman's Counsel.
Canto XXXIII.: Lakshman's Entry.
Canto XXXIV.: Lakshman's Speech
Canto XXXV.: Tárá's Speech.
Canto XXXVI.: Sugríva's Speech.
Canto XXXVII.: The Gathering.
Canto XXXVIII.: Sugríva's Departure.
Canto XXXIX.: The Vánar Host.
Canto XL.: The Army of The East.
Canto XLI.: The Army of The South.
Canto XLII.: The Army of The West.
Canto XLIII.: The Army of The North.
Canto XLIV.: The Ring.
Canto XLV.: The Departure.
Canto XLVI.: Sugríva's.
Canto XLVII.: The Return.
Canto XLVIII.: The Asur's Death.
Canto XLIX.: Angad's Speech.
Canto L.: The Enchanted Cave.
Canto LI.: Svayamprabhá
Canto LII.: The Exit.
Canto LIII.: Angad's Counsel.
Canto LIV.: Hanumán's Speech.
Canto LVI:
Canto LV.: Angad's Reply
Canto LVI.: Sampáti.
Canto LVII.: Angad's Speech.
Canto LVIII: Tidings of Sitá.
Canto LIX.: Sampati's Story.
Canto LX.: Sampáti's Story
Canto LXI.: Sampáti's Story.
Canto LXII.: Sampáti's Story.
Canto LXIII.: Sampáti's Story.
Canto LXIV.: The Sea.
Canto LXV.: The Council.
Canto LXVI.: Hanumán.
Canto LXVII.: Hanuman's Speech.
BOOK V
Book V
Canto I.: Hanumán's Leap.
Canto II.: Lanká.
Canto III.: The Guardian Goddess.
Canto IV.: Within The City.
Canto VI. : The Court.
Canto VII.: Ravan's Palace.
Canto VIII.: The Enchanted Car.
Canto IX.: The Ladies' Bower.
Canto X.: Rávan Asleep.
Canto XI.: The Banquet Hall.
Canto XII.: The Search Renewed.
Canto XIII.: Despair And Hope.
Canto XIV.: The As'oka Grove.
Canto XV.: Sítá.
Canto XVI.: Hanumán's Lament.
Canto XVII.: Sítá's Guard.
Canto XVIII.: Rávan.
Canto XIX.: Síta's Fear.
Canto XX.: Rávan's Wooing.
Canto XXI.: Sita's Scorn.
Canto XXII.: Rávan's Threat.
Canto XXIII.: The Demons' Threats
Canto XXIV.: Sítá's Reply.
Canto XXV.: Sítá's Lament.
Canto XXVI.: Sitá's Lament
Canto XXVII.: Trijatá's Dream.
Canto XXX.: Hanumán's Deliberation.
Canto XXXI.: Hanumán's Speech.
Canto XXXII.: Sítá's Doubt.
Canto XXXIII.: The Colloquy.
Canto XXXIV.: Hanumán's Speech.
Canto XXXV.: Hanuman's Speech.
Canto XXXVI.: Ráma's Ring.
Canto XXXVII.: Sítá's Speech.
Canto XXXVIII.: Sitá's Gem.
Canto XLI.: The Ruin of The Grove.
Canto XLII.: The Giants Roused.
Canto XLIII.: The Ruin of The Temple.
Canto XLIV.: Jambumáli's Death.
Canto XLV.: The Seven Defeated.
Canto XLVI.: The Captains.
Canto XLVII.: The Death of Aksha.
Canto XLVIIL: Hanumán Captured.
Canto XLIX.: Rávan.
Canto L.: Prahasta's Questions.
Canto LI.: Hanumán's Reply.
Canto LII.: Vibhíshan's Speech.
Canto LIII.: The Punishment.
Canto LIV.: The Burning of Lanká.
Canto LV.: Fear For Sítá.
Canto LVI: Mount Arishta.
Canto LVII.: Hanúmán's Return.
Canto LXI.: The Feast of Honey.
Canto LXV. : The Tidings.
Canto LXVI.: Ráma's Speech.
BOOK VI
Book VI
Canto I.: Ráma's Speech.
Canto II.: Sugríva's Speech.
Canto III.: Lanká.
Canto IV.: The March.
Canto V.: Ráma's Lament.
Canto VI.: Rávan's Speech.
Canto VII.: Rávan Encouraged.
Canto VIII.: Prahasta's Speech.
Canto IX.: Vibhíshan's Counsel.
Canto X.: Vibhíshan's Counsel.
Canto XI.: The Summons.
Canto XII.: Ravan's Speech.
Canto XIII.: Rávan's Speech.
Canto XIV.: Vibhíshan's Speech.
Canto XV.: Indrajit's Speech.
Canto XVI.: Rávan's Speech.
Canto XVII.: Vibhíshan's Flight.
Canto XVIII.: Ráma's Speech.
Canto XIX.: Vibhíshan's Counsel.
Canto XX.: The Spies.
Canto XXI.: Ocean Threatened.
Canto XXII.:
Canto XXIII.: The Omens.
Canto XXIV.: The Spy's Return.
Canto XXV.: Rávan's Spies.
Canto XXVI.: The Vánar Chiefs.
Canto XXVII.: The Vánar Chiefs.
Canto XXVIII.: The Chieftains.
Canto XXIX.: S'árdúla Captured.
Canto XXX.: Sárdúla's Speech.
Canto XXXI.: The Magic Head.
Canto XXXII.: Sitá's Lament.
Canto XXXIII.: Saramá.
Canto XXXIV.: Saramá's Tidings.
Canto XXXV.: Malyaván's Speech.
Canto XXXVI.: Rávan's Reply.
Canto XXXVII.: Preparations.
Canto XXXVIII.: The Ascent of Suvela.
Canto XXXIX.: Lanká.
Canto XL.: Rávan Attacked.
Canto XLI.: Ráma's Envoy.
Canto XLII.: The Sally.
Canto XLIII.: The Single Combats.
Canto XLIV.: The Night.
Canto XLV.: Indrajit's Victory.
Canto XLVI.: Indrajit's Triumph.
Canto XLVII.: Sitá.
Canto XLVIII.: Sitá's Lament.
Canto XLIX.: Ráma's Lament
Canto L.: The Broken Spell.
Canto LI.: Dhúmráksha's Sally.
Canto LII.: Dhúmráksha's Death.
Canto LIII.: Vajradanshtra's Sally.
Canto LIV.: Vajradanshtra's Death.
Canto LIX.: Rávans Sally.
Canto LX.: Kumbhakarna Roused.
Canto LX.: Kumbhakarn'a Roused.
Canto LXI.: The Vánars' Alarm.
Canto LXII: Rávan's Request
Canto LXIII.: Kumbhakabna's Boast.
Canto LXIV.: Mahodar's Speech.
Canto LXV.: Khumbhakarna's Speech.
Canto LXVI.: Kombhakarna's Sally.
Canto LXVII.: Kumbhakarna's Death.
Canto LXVIII.: Rávan's Lament.
Canto LXIX.: Narántak's Death.
Canto LXX.: The Death of Tris'iras.
Canto LXXI.: Atikáya's Death.
Canto LXXII.: Rávan's Speech.
Canto LXXIII.: Indrajit's Victory.
Canto LXXIV.: The Medicinal Herbs.
Canto LXXV.: The Night Attack.
Canto XCIII.: Rávan's Lament.
Canto XCVI.: Rávan's Sally.
Canto C.: Ravan In The Field.
Canto CI.: Lakshman's Fall.
Canto CII.: Lakshman Healed.
Canto CIII.: Indra's Car.
Canto CVI.: Glory To The Sun.
Canto CVIII.: The Battle.
Canto CIX.: The Battle.
Canto CX.: Rávan's Death.
Canto CXI.: Vibhíshan's Lament.
Canto CXII.: The Rákshas Dames.
Canto CXIII.: Mandodarí's Lament.
Canto CXIV: Vibhíshan Consecrated.
Canto CXV.: Sitá's Joy.
Canto CXVI.: The Meeting.
Canto CXVII.: Sítá's Disgrace.
Canto CXVIII.: Sítá's Reply.
Canto CXIX.: Glory To Vishnu.
Canto CXX.: Sítá Restored.
Canto CXXI.: Das'aratha.
Canto CXXII.: Indra's Boon.
Canto CXXIII.: The Magic Car.
Canto CXXIV.: The Departure.
Canto CXXV.: The Return.
Canto CXXVI.: Bharat Consoled.
Canto CXXVII.: Ráma's Message.
Canto CXXVIII.: Hanumán's Story.
Canto CXXIX.: The Meeting With Bharat.
Canto CXXX.: The Consecration.
APPENDICES
Appendices
Index of Principal Names
Errata
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