THE VĀLMĪKI RĀMĀYAṆA
Sundara Kanda
Devotion in action.
Courage with a thoughtful heart.
Follow Hanuman’s search for Sita through the Sanskrit text, original English meanings and illustrated scenes.
68 OF 68 CHAPTERS AVAILABLE
Choose a chapter. Read at your own pace.
Chapter 1 · Hanuman crosses the ocean
Sanskrit & English
English below every Sanskrit line, a short meaning for each verse and optional Roman text.
Open the Sanskrit reader ↗
Hanuman’s Journey Across the Sea
5 gentle scenes, simple English and a little question on every page. A separately labelled retelling.
Open the picture story ↗Chapter 2 · Hanuman surveys Lanka
Sanskrit & English
English below every Sanskrit line, a short meaning for each verse and optional Roman text.
Open the Sanskrit reader ↗
Hanuman Makes a Careful Plan
3 gentle scenes, simple English and a little question on every page. A separately labelled retelling.
Open the picture story ↗Chapter 3 · Hanuman meets Lanka’s guardian
Sanskrit & English
English below every Sanskrit line, a short meaning for each verse and optional Roman text.
Open the Sanskrit reader ↗
Hanuman and the Guardian of Lanka
3 gentle scenes, simple English and a little question on every page. A separately labelled retelling.
Open the picture story ↗Chapter 4 · Hanuman enters the streets of Lanka
Chapter 5 · Moonlight over Lanka
Chapter 6 · Searching the royal residences
Chapter 7 · The jeweled aerial palace
Chapter 8 · The wonder of Pushpaka
Chapter 9 · Within Ravana’s palace
Chapter 10 · A mistaken discovery
Chapter 11 · A search with a steady mind
Chapter 12 · The strength to continue
Chapter 13 · Hope in the ashoka grove
Chapter 14 · A hidden place to watch
Chapter 15 · Hanuman recognizes Sita
Chapter 16 · Compassion for Sita
Chapter 17 · Joy within a sorrowful grove
Chapter 18 · Ravana approaches the grove
Chapter 19 · Sita before her captor
Chapter 20 · Ravana’s tempting promises
Chapter 21 · Sita’s steadfast answer
Chapter 22 · Ravana’s threats
Chapter 23 · The guards press their demands
Chapter 24 · Sita refuses the guards
Chapter 25 · Sita’s resolve in captivity
Chapter 26 · Sita longs for rescue
Chapter 27 · Trijata’s dream of hope
Chapter 28 · Hope interrupts Sita’s despair
Chapter 29 · Signs of reassurance
Chapter 30 · Hanuman chooses his words
Chapter 31 · Rama’s story in the branches
Chapter 32 · Sita questions the strange visitor
Chapter 33 · Sita tells her story
Chapter 34 · The messenger and a fragile trust
Chapter 35 · Hanuman earns Sita’s trust
Chapter 36 · Rama’s ring
Chapter 37 · Sita considers an escape
Chapter 38 · A memory and the crest-jewel
Chapter 39 · A promise before parting
Chapter 40 · Farewell in the ashoka grove
Chapter 41 · Hanuman tests Lanka’s strength
Chapter 42 · The Kinkara warriors
Chapter 43 · At the shrine in the grove
Chapter 44 · Jambumali confronts Hanuman
Chapter 45 · The ministers’ sons
Chapter 46 · Five commanders and a warning
Chapter 47 · Hanuman and Prince Aksha
Chapter 48 · Indrajit captures Hanuman
Chapter 49 · Hanuman beholds Ravana
Chapter 50 · Rama’s messenger speaks
Chapter 51 · Hanuman’s warning to Ravana
Chapter 52 · Vibhishana defends the envoy
Chapter 53 · The burning tail
Chapter 54 · Lanka in flames
Chapter 55 · Concern for Sita
Chapter 56 · Farewell to Sita
Chapter 57 · The return to Mahendra
Chapter 58 · Hanuman recounts his journey
Chapter 59 · What should the searchers do next?
Chapter 60 · Jambavan recalls the mission
Chapter 61 · Celebration in Madhuvana
Chapter 62 · Dadhimukha seeks the king
Chapter 63 · Sugriva recognizes good news
Chapter 64 · The search party reaches Rama
Chapter 65 · Sita’s jewel and message
Chapter 66 · Rama holds the jewel
Chapter 67 · The remembered crow and Sita’s appeal
Chapter 68 · The promise of reunion
All 68 chapters are available. Each complete reading follows a named Sanskrit edition; verse divisions may differ in other editions.