Ek shloki Ramayana (एक श्लोकी रामायण)

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What is the story of the Ramayana?

The Ramayana is a living text. Adikavi Valmiki composed the Ramayana in Sanskrit and since then there have been innumerable retellings and renderings of the Ramkatha across time and space. The tradition continues.

Know more about the Ramayana and Ramakatha

Have you ever asked – What is the nucleus of the story on which this ever-expanding glorious Indian Ramkatha tradition is based? If yes, your journey into the world of Sita and Rama can begin with what is commonly referred to as the Ek shloki Ramayana (एक श्लोकी रामायण) – the story of the journey of Ram in a single verse.

एक श्लोकी रामायण (संस्कृत में)

आदौ रामतपोवनादिगमनं हत्वा मृगं काञ्चनं,

वैदेहीहरणं जटायुमरणं सुग्रीवसम्भाषणम्‌।

बालीनिग्रहणं समुद्रतरणं लंकापुरीदाहनं,

पश्चाद्रावणकुम्भकर्णहननमेतद्धि रामायणम्‌॥

The Ek shloki Ramayana (in English)

In ancient times, Rama went to the forest. (He) hunted a golden deer. Vaidehi (Sita) was abducted. Jatayu died. (Rama) met and spoke to Sugreeva. Bali was killed. (Hanumana) crossed the sea. The city of Lanka was reduced to ashes. Ravana and Kumbhakaran were defeated and they met their end. This is the Ramayana.

एक श्लोकी रामायण (हिन्दी में)

आदि काल में, राम वन में रहने गये| (उन्होंने) एक स्वर्ण मृग का शिकार किया| वैदेही (सीता) का हरण हुआ | जटायु की मृत्यु हो गयी | (राम) और सुग्रीव की सन्धि  हुई | बालि का अन्त हुआ | (हनुमान) समुद्र लांघ गये | लंका पुरी जल कर ख़ाक हो गयी | रावण और कुम्भकरण पराजित हो गये और उनका अन्त हुआ| यही रामायण है|