The Ramayana tells the story of King Dasaratha of Ayodhya who has no sons. Through a sacrifice, he is promised four sons who will be incarnations of Vishnu: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. Rama is the eldest and favorite. He marries Sita. Later, Rama is exiled from the kingdom for 14 years due to the scheming of his stepmother, despite being the rightful heir. Sita and Lakshmana accompany him. Bharata refuses to rule in Rama's place while he is in exile.

1. THE RAMAYANA CHAPTERS 1,2 AND 3

2. CHAPTER 1 King Dasa-ratha rules Ayodhya His city is the ideal city, but Dasa-ratha has no son to succeed him. Dasa-ratha has the priests sacrifice a horse. His wise men prophesy that Dasa-ratha will become the father of four sons by his three wives because of the sacrifice.

3. CHAPTER 1 Meanwhile, the gods complain to Brahma because of Ravana, the king of the Rakshasas. The rakshasas are shape-shifting demons The gods cannot harm Ravana because Ravana had asked Brahma for immunity from the gods.

4. CHAPTER 1 Brahma says this is true, but Ravana was too proud to ask for protection from humans or animals. The gods ask Vishnu to become incarnated as the four sons of Dasa-ratha so that he may destroy Ravana one day. Vishnu agrees, and his wife Lakshmi agrees to go to earth as his mortal wife.

5. CHAPTER 1 Dasa-ratha’s four sons: Rama first Bharata second Lakshmana and Satrughna last The gods create a band of monkeys to help Vishnu destroy Ravana and the rakshasas.

6. CHAPTER 1 Dasa-ratha’s sons grow and are known for their virtue and courage. At age 16, Rama and Lakshmana are enlisted to fight Ravana and the rakshasas. After the fighting, Rama and Laksmana go to a sacrifice held by King Janaka, father of...

7. CHAPTER 1 Sita, who will be married to whoever can string the bow of Shiva which was given to Janaka’s ancestors. Many have failed, but Rama agrees to string the bow. He does so with ease and breaks it because of the strength of his pull. Rama and Sita are married. Rama’s brothers marry Sita’s sister and others from her kingdom.

8. CHAPTER 2 Dasa-ratha decides to give his throne to Rama, because he is the eldest and dearest to the king and the people. Dasa-ratha makes plans with his wise men and announces his intentions to his people. The night before Rama’s installation, a nursemaid speaks to Bharata’s mother.

9. CHAPTER 2 The nursemaid convinces Bharata’s mother that Bharata should be made king and that Rama should be exiled for Bharata’s protection. Bharata’s mother goes into mourning; Dasa-ratha gives his sacred oath to give B’s mother anything that will make her happy. As reward for saving Dasa-ratha’s life years ago, she requests that Bharata must become king and Rama must be banished for fourteen years.

10. CHAPTER 2 Because of his oath Dasa-ratha cannot deny Bharata’s mother. Sita and Lakshmana ask to accompany Rama into exile. Five days after Rama leaves, Dasa-ratha dies of grief. Bharata, who has been living with his grandfather for the past year, is called for to become king.

11. CHAPTER 3 Bharata is angry when he hears of the treachery of his mother, refuses the throne, and goes to ask Rama to return. Rama will not return, despite news of their father’s death, because he cannot disobey the command of their father the king. Bharata returns to Ayodhya with Rama’s golden sandals which he places on the throne. Bharata will live as a hermit like Rama, only in the palace.

12. CHAPTER 3 Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita live at peace as wanderers. They encounter a wise man who gives Rama Vishnu’s bow, Brahma’s shining arrow, Indra’s quiver full of arrows, and a sword with a gold hilt. They live in the forest for ten years, when...

13. CHAPTER 3 Ravana’s sister spies Rama and falls in love with him. She speaks to him and attempts to sway him because of her power and connection to Ravana. Rama refuses her, but also teases her; Lakshmana too. Ravana’s sister becomes angry and attacks Sita.

14. CHAPTER 3 Rama sees his error; Lakshmana cuts off her ears and nose; she flees. Fourteen rakshasas attack; Rama kills them. 14,000 rakshasas attack; Rama kills them single-handedly. Indra, king of the gods, pours down flowers from heaven.