The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume I : Balakāṇḍa

This is the first of seven volumes of a translation of the Valmiki Ramayana, the great Sanskrit epic of the life of Rama, ideal man and incarnation of the great god Visnu. This renowned work of ancient India has profoundly affected the literature, art, religions, and cultures of countless millions of people in South and Southeast Asiaan influence that is perhaps unparalleled in the history of world literature. Balakanda, the opening portion of this first translation to be based on the critical edition (Oriental Institute, Baroda), is presented here in a compact volume without the section of notes that appears in the hardcover book. Contents List of Abbreviations Preface Guide to Sanskrit Pronunciation PART I. INTRODUCTION 1. General Introduction 2. History and Historicity 3. Introduction to the Bālakāṇḍa 4. The Rāmāyaṇa Text and the Critical Edition 5. Translating the Rāmāyaṇa 6. The Translation and Annotation PART II. BĀLAKĀṆḌA Glossary of Important Proper Nouns and Epithets Bibliography of Works Consulted Index