Valmiki Ramayana (Audio)

Sanskrit recitation & English translation

On the occasion of Sri Ramanavami, listen to the recitation (Sanskrit) and translation (English) of the Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda, Sarga 18.

The birth of the princes, how Ayodhya looked on that day, their growing years and the close bond between Sri Rama & Lakshmana; between Bharata & Shatrughna.

We know Sri Rama was the eldest, but who was born second?

“Whenever Sri Rama went hunting, mounted on horseback, Lakshmana followed at his heels…guarding him on all sides”

“Rama did not have even a wink of sleep, nor did he partake of a dainty dish brought for him without Lakshmana”

“Shatrughna was dearer to Bharata even than the latter’s own life and Bharata likewise was ever dear to Shatrughna”

Let your children get a flavour of the ghanapati recitation in Sanskrit followed by the story in English.

Follow us on Spotify to experience the Authentic Valmiki Ramayana daily, read from the Gita Press version.

Balakanda, Ayodhya Kanda and Aranya Kanda are available on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts.

New episodes are being added every few days.

The Authentic Valmiki Ramayan is an offering from Hindu Parenting to help people get to know the authentic Gita Press version which is a translation by Hindus from within the tradition. It is not a western translation.

Recitation (available on archive.org) is in Sanskrit, followed by a reading of the story in English.