The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume VI

Yuddhakāṇḍa

Robert P. Goldman, Sally J. Sutherland Goldman, Barend A. van Nooten, Robert Goldman, Sally Goldman, Barend van Nooten, Robert P. Goldman, Sally J. Sutherland Goldman, Barend A. van Nooten

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN:
  9780691173986
  9780691066639
• eBook ISBN:
  9781400833269
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Asian Literary Collections

The sixth book of the Ramayana of Valmiki, the Yuddhakanda, recounts the final dramatic war between the forces of good led by the exiled prince Rama, and the forces of evil commanded by the arch demon Ravana. The hero Rama's primary purpose in the battle is to rescue the abducted princess Sita and destroy the demon king. However, the confrontation also marks the turning point for the divine mission of the Ramavatara, the incarnation of Lord Visnu as a human prince, who will restore righteousness to a world on the brink of chaos. The book ends with the gods' revelation to Rama of his true divine nature, his emotional reunion with his beloved wife, his long-delayed consecration as king of Kosala, and his restoration of a utopian age. The Yuddhakanda contains some of the most extraordinary events and larger-than-life characters to be found anywhere in world literature.


This sixth volume in the critical edition and translation of the Valmiki Ramayana includes an extensive introduction, exhaustive notes, and a comprehensive bibliography.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Dedication
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of Abbreviations
• Preface
• Guide to Sanskrit Pronunciation
• PART I. INTRODUCTION
• PART II. YUDDHAKĀṆḌA
• PART III. NOTES
• Glossary of Important Sanskrit Words, Proper Nouns, and Epithets
• Glossary of Flora and Fauna
• Glossary of Weapons
• Emendations and Corrections of the Critical Edition
• Bibliography of Works Consulted
• Index