Rāma in the opening epic narrative
Rāma
Read the cited source passages on this page →
Meet Rāma through Nārada’s introduction in Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa and follow the opening narrative with verse references.
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How the story introduces Rāma
The first chapter of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa’s Bāla Kāṇḍa begins with Vālmīki asking Nārada about a person with exemplary qualities. Nārada identifies Rāma and describes him. In verse 1.1.9, the linked English presentation includes wisdom, moral conduct, and eloquence among those qualities.
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Source passages to read on this page
Read the selected passages in English below. Translation, commentary and handbook guidance are labeled separately; the adjacent links let you check the source.
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa 1.1.8–9 and 24–29
The original lines, the English paraphrase, and the website’s explanatory notes are separate layers. Original verse numbers are retained. Verse 28 is grouped with 29 in the original display: the group also names the journey to the Gaṅgā and Guha. The original line for 1.1.3 is not transcribed on the accessed opening page.
Reference: Desiraju Hanumanta Rao; ValmikiRamayan.net verse translation and notes. Check the cited passage or chapter →
English translation of the original passage shown · provisional handbook rendering
English source: Handbook editorial translation — provisional; Direct English rendering of the identified original text; specialist review pending. Check the English source →
Provisional handbook translation from the identified original. It has not been independently reviewed by a Sanskrit specialist and is not attributed to a guru or scholar. Square brackets mark supplied context.
1.1.8. Born in the Ikṣvāku line, he is known among people as Rāma: self-controlled, of great valor, radiant, steadfast and master of himself.
1.1.9. Intelligent, wise in conduct, eloquent, fortunate and a destroyer of enemies; broad-shouldered, mighty-armed, with a conch-shaped neck and a great jaw.
1.1.24. That hero went to the forest, keeping his promise, in obedience to his father’s command and for Kaikeyī’s satisfaction.
1.1.25. His dear brother Lakṣmaṇa followed him out of love, endowed with humility and increasing Sumitrā’s joy.
1.1.26. The brother showed brotherly affection toward the brother he loved. Rāma’s beloved wife was always as dear and beneficial to him as his own life.
1.1.27. Born in Janaka’s family, seemingly fashioned by divine power, endowed with every auspicious mark, she was the foremost bride among women.
1.1.28. Sītā too followed Rāma, as Rohiṇī follows the Moon. He was followed a long way by the townspeople and his father Daśaratha.
1.1.29. At Śṛṅgaverapura, on the bank of the Gaṅgā, he dismissed the charioteer after meeting his dear friend Guha, lord of the Niṣādas. Rāma, devoted to dharma, was with Guha, Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā.
English meaning · handbook paraphrase of the cited Indian translation
8–9: Nārada identifies Rāma, born in Ikṣvāku’s lineage, and describes restraint, strength, resolve, intelligence, conduct, and skill in speech.
24–28: The opening summary relates the consequences of Kaikeyī’s requested boons: Bharata’s installation and Rāma’s exile. Rāma goes to the forest in obedience to his father’s word, and Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā accompany him. Keep this introductory summary distinct from the fuller exile narration later in the epic.
Selected ancient Sanskrit lines in the source’s transliteration system, preserved as printed. The accessed opening chapter omits its original line for 1.1.3; that verse is covered by the attributed paraphrase. English is an attributed handbook paraphrase of the named translation, not that translator’s full wording.
Read the original Sanskrit
Original Sanskrit · source transliteration
ikShvaaku vaMsha prabhavo raamo naama janaiH shrutaH | niyata aatmaa mahaaviiryo dyutimaan dhR^itimaan vashii || 1-1-8
buddhimaan niitimaan vaa~Ngmii shriimaan shatru nibarhaNaH | vipulaaMso mahaabaahuH kaMbu griivo mahaahanuH || 1-1-9
sa jagaama vanam viiraH pratij~naam anupaalayan | pitur vacana nirdeshaat kaikeyyaaH priya kaaraNaat || 1-1-24
taM vrajantaM priyo bhraataa lakShmaNaH anujagaama ha | snehaat vinaya saMpannaH sumitra aanaMda vardhanaH || 1-1-25 bhraataram dayito bhraatuH saubhraatram anu darshayan |
raamasya dayitaa bhaaryaa nityam praaNa samaa hitaa || 1-1-26 janakasya kule jaataa deva maayeva nir.hmitaa | sarva lakShaNa saMpannaa naariiNaam uttamaa vadhuuH || 1-1-27 siitaapya anugataa raamam shashinam rohiNii yathaa |
pauraiH anugato duuram pitraa dasharathena ca || 1-1-28 shR^ingibera pure suutam gaMgaa kuule vyasarjayat | guham aasaadya dharmaatmaa niShaada adhipatim priyam || 1-1-29 guheana sahito raamo lakshmaNena cha siitayaa |
Follow a small narrative sequence
Verses 1.1.24–28 describe Rāma going to the forest in fulfillment of his father’s word, with Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā accompanying him. Reading these passages together gives the reader characters, relationships, and a decision to examine, rather than a name without narrative context.
A way to read about character
Make a note of the qualities named in Nārada’s introduction. As you continue reading, record an episode and ask how the narrative presents a particular quality through a decision or action. Keep that reflection separate from the translated wording.
- Who is describing Rāma in this passage?
- Which qualities appear in the introduction?
- What does the narrative say about his departure?
- What questions would I bring to a teacher or reading group?
Continue into text and devotion
The Rāmāyaṇa reading guide explains how to use this edition’s verses, word meanings, translation, and notes. Read Hanumān for another focused narrative introduction and dharma for a separately sourced discussion of duty. Ask a temple or teacher for the source and meaning of prayers used in its own Rāma worship.
Sources & scope
For short devotional readings, visit the related Prayer Library selections, with the supplied original wording and provisional English together.
ValmikiRamayan.net: Bāla Kāṇḍa, Sarga 1 — Translation and notes credited to Desiraju Hanumanta Rao. This guide follows selected opening verses, not every Rāma devotional tradition.
Source consulted October 7, 2026. This handbook’s orientation is not a substitute for the source’s complete text and explanation.