The Ramayana or the story of Rama, has been dominating the Indian religious scene from the time immemorial. Before composition of the work of poetic excellence by the sage Valmiki, who is considered to be the pioneer of the same, the story was available in fragments in different parts of the country. Though the sage Valmiki was inspired by the sage Narada for composing the Ramayana but Valmiki had to collect several fragments of the story from various regions of the country. Once the story was composed in poetic form, there was a great boost in the popularity of the theme and soon there arose the urge with the people to listen or to recite the Ramayanas in the languages they spoke. As a result of this, several Ramayana in the regional languages were brought out from time to time in the past particularly in the medieval period. The Giradhara Ramayana in Gujarati comes under such types of works, which was composed by Giradhara, a great son of soil, in Gujarati language. The most astonishing aspect of this work has been that it provides occasionally the study of the selected events as discussed in other works, which highlights its unique nature. The English version of the text now produced, will surely interest the readers in country and abroad. Contents Preface I. BALAKANDA : 1. Prayer 2. Composing of Ramayana 3. Birth of Ravana, Kubera and others 4. Getting of Boons by Ravana and others 5. Conquests of Ravana; his Defeats and Victories 6. Dasaratha Married Kausalaya 7. The Gods Lead by Brahma, offer Prayers to Visnu with the Goddess Earth in the Ocean of Milk 8. Advice of Sri Narayana to All the Gods 9. Killing of Sravana 10. Dasaratha Grants Boons to Kaikeyi 11. Arrival of Rsyasranga in Ayodhya 12. Performing of Putresthi Yajna by Dasaratha 13. Birth of Hanuman 14. Birth of Sri Rama and others 15. Brahma and other Gods Pray Rama in the Womb 16. Birth of Sri Rama 17. Ravana is Terrified 18. Childhood of Rama 19. Thread Ceremony of Rama and his Education 20. Pilgrimage of Sri Rama 21. Dasaratha Approached by Visvamitra, for Taking Rama and Laksmana with him 22. Conversation between Rama and Vasistha : the Story of Maya 23. Story of Maya 24. Origin of the Universe and Dissolution 25. Birth of the Ganga 26. Bhagiratha brings Ganga on the Earth 27. Killing of Tadaka 28. Killing of Subahu and others 29. Ahalya Relieved of the Curse 30. Story of the Birth of Ahalya (Raga Dhanasri) 31. The Story of Padmasri 32. Birth of Sita and her Childhood Plays 33. Sita Felt Impressed at the Sight of Rama 34. Entry of Rama and Laksmana in Janakapura 35. Sri Rama Arrived in the Svayamvara Mandapa 36. Sita Felt Gloomy at the Vow of Janaka 37. Shattering of the Pride of Ravana 38. Rama Breaks the Bow 39. Invitation of Dasaratha 40. Arrival of the Marriage Party in Mithila 41. Rama Reaches the Mandapa with his Brothers 42. Marriage of Rama and others 43. Arrival of Parasurama 44. Talk between Rama and Parasurama 45. Parasurama's Prayer for Rama 46. Rama Enters Ayodhya with Sita II. AYODHYAKANDA : 1. Adoration of the Guru 2. Bharata and Satrughna go to the Abode of his Maternal Uncle 3. Preparations for the Coronation 4. Kali Enters Manthara 5. Kaikeyi Influenced by the Words of Manthara 6. Sumantra Reached the Palace of Rama 7. Grief of Kausalya 8. Conversation between Kausalya and Rama 9. Rama Assures Kausalya 10. Discussion among Rama, Sita and Vasistha 11. Rama's Departure for the Forest 12. Crossing of Tamasa and Gariga by Rama 13. Rama Reaches Citrakuta 14. Sumantra's Arrival in Ayodhya and the Death of Dasaratha 15. Return of Bharata and Satrughna to Ayodhya 16. Cremation of Dasaratha 17. Discussion between Bharata and Vasistha 18. The People of Ayodhya March Towards Citrakuta 19. Meeting between Rama and Bharata 20. Rama Performs Last Rites of Dasaratha 21. Discussion between Bharata and Rama 22. Rama Consoled Bharata 23. Bharata's Return to Ayodhya 24. Return of Bharata and Satrughna to Ayodhya 25. Discussion between Rama and Valmiki III. ARANYAKANDA : 1. Arrival of Rama in the Hermitage of Atri 2. Anusuya's Advice to Sita, Rama Bows to Renuka and Proceeds Further South 3. Killing of Viradha by Rama and their Arrival in Hermitage of Sarabhahga 4. Rama's Meeting with Sutiksna; Story of the Sage Agastya; Rama Reached the Asrama of the Sage Agastya 5. Sutiksna Narrates to Rama, the Story of the Birth of Agastya 6. Pulling of the Demons by Agastya and Drinking of the Waters of the Ocean 7. Rama Welcomed by Agastya and Rama's Meeting Jatayu 8. Daily Routine of Rama, Laksmana and Sita in Pancavati 9. Killing of Sambara and Arrival of Surpanakha in Pancavati 10. Surpanakha Disfugured 11. Killing of Khara and Dusana 12. Sita Got Fascinated at the Sight of the Golden Deer 13. Request to Rama, at the Sight of the Gloden Deer by Sita 14. Killing of Golden Deer by Rama and Janaki's Harsh Words to Laksmana 15. Sita's Abduction by Ravana 16. Ravana Injures Jatayu and Sita Lodged in Asokavana 17. Rama Laments on Separation from Sita 18. Rama's Departure from Pancavati 19. Meeting of Rama, Jatayu and Death of Jatayu 20. Kabandha is Relieved of the Curse 21. Rama Meets Sabari 22. Rama Pronounces Curse on Birds and Animals IV. KISKINDHAKANPA : 1. Spotting of Rama and Laksmana by Sugriva and other Monkeys; Hanuman Approaches Rama 2. Hanuman Examined Rama and Meeting between Rama and Hanuman 3. Story of Birth of Ball and Sugriva; Battle between Bali and Dundubhi 4. The Cause of Enmity between Bali and Sugriva and the Pledge between Rama and Sugriva 5. Rama Pierces through the Seven Tala Trees, Sugriva Challenges Bali, Conversation between Tara and Bali 6. Battle between Bali and Sugriva; Bali Killed by Rama 7. Lamenting of Tara; Crowning of Sugriva 8. Description of the Rainy Season and the Winter Season 9. Laksmana Reminds Sugriva of his Pledge; Sugriva Deputes Monkeys in Search of Sita 10. Meeting with Brahmaraksasa and Monkey's Entry into the Cave 11. Story of Mayasura Narrated by Suprabha, and her Achieving Salvation 12. Monkey's Meeting with Sampati 13. Sampati's Advice to the Monkeys; Jambavan and Hanuman Spell out their Prowess 14. Curse Pronounced on Hanuman 15. Hanuman Gets Ready to Cross the Ocean; Glory of the Story of Rama V. SUNDARAKANDA : 1. Introductory Verses of the Poet 2. Crossing of the Ocean by Hanuman 3. Hanuman While Searching for Sita, Visits the Places of Indrajit, Vibhisana and Kumbhakarna 4. Hanuman Reaches the Bedroom of Ravana 5. Sita Laments on the Receipt of the Ring of Rama 6. Hanuman Recites the Story of Rama in Asokavana and Anxiety of Sita 7. Meeting between Sita and Hanuman; Eating of furits by Hanuman 8. Hanuman Kills Demons in Asokavana 9. Flight of Indrajit at the Hands of Hanuman; Hanuman Produced in the Court of Ravana Bound with Brahmapdsa 10. Burning of Lanka by Hanuman; Melting between Hanuman and Brahma 11. Return of Hanuman to Rama, after Meeting Sita 12. Monkeys Convey the News to Rama 13. Laksmana Reads out the Letter of Brahma 14. Description of Lanka by Hanuman 15. Jambavan Narrates the Story of the Birth of Lanka 16. Arrival of Rama at the Seashore; Ravana's Consultations 17. Vibhlsana Goes to Rama After his Humiliation at the Hand of Ravana 18. Meeting between Rama and Vibhlsana 19. Prayer of Vibhlsana 20. Ocean Prays for the Refuge of Rama 21. Building of the Bridge 22. Consecration of Ramesvera; Crossing of the Bridge by Rama, Ravana's Messenger Observes the Army of Rama 23. Description of Rama's Army by Sukasarana 24. Laksmana Removed the Crowns of Ravana Seated over Gopura VI. YUDDHAKANDA : 1. Ravana Consults his Courtiers and Goes to Sita 2. Ravana Informs Sita of the Death of Rama, Sita Laments, Sarama Consoles Sita; Ravana Deputes Mandodari to Sita 3. Discussion between Sita and Mandodari 4. Conversation between Ravana and Mandodari 5. Wrestling between Ravana and Sugriva 6. Angada Deputed as a Messenger and his Arrival in the Court of Ravana 7. Discussion between Angada and Ravana 8. Discussion between Ravana and Angada; Angada Recites the Glory of Rama 9. Conversation between Angada and Ravana 10. Angada Returns the Mandapa of Ravana 11. Indrajit Captures Rama's Army in Nagapasa 12. Sugriva Saves the Lives of Rama and Laksmana; the Monkeys Get Ready for the War After Getting Free from the Fetters 13. Conversation between Ravana and Mandodari 14. Ravana's Arrival in the Battlefield 15. Laksmana Faints with the Arrow of Ravana 16. Getting Upset Ravana Returns from the Battlefield and Waking up of Kumbhakarna 17. Details of the powess of Kumbhakarna, Discussion between Ravana and Kumbhakarna; Kumbhakarna Moves to the Battlefield 18. Fight between Monkeys and Kumbhakarna, Sugriva Disfigures Kumbhakarna 19. Battle between Rama and Kumbhakarna and the End of Kumbhakarna 20. Killing of Mahodara, Atikaya and others by Laksmana; Arrival of Indrajit for the Battle 21. Indrajit Casts a Swoon over the Army of Rama 22. Hanuman brings Dronacala, Rama's Army Freed from Swoon 23. Killing of Kumbha and Nikumbha; Destruction of Krtya Created by Indrajit; Killing of Illusory Sita by Indrajit in a Full View of Hanuman 24. Rama Grieves at the News of the Killing of Sita; Laksmana Takes Care of him; Vibhisana Spells Out the Way to Kill of Indrajit 25. Laksmana Destroys the Homa of Indrajit in the Nikumbhila Temple; Battle between Indrajit and Laksmana 26. Killing of Indrajit 27. With the Fall of the Arm of Indrajit in the Courtyard of Ravana, Sulocana Comes to Know of the Death of Indrajit, Whose Arm Writes the Details of his Death 28. Grief of Ravana; Sulocana Proceeds to Rama, to Get the Head of Indrajit from him, at the Advice of Mandodari 29. Sulocana Prays Rama 30. Sulocana Makes the Face of Indrajit to Smile and her Burning herself 31. Ahi-Mahlravana Carried Rama and Laksmana to Mahikavati at the Command of Ravana 32. Hanuman Proceeds to Mahikavati in Search of Rama and Laksmana; Meeting between Hanuman and Makaradhvaja 33. Meeting between Hanuman and Makari; Entry of Hanuman in the Temple of the Goddess 34. Ahi-Mahlravana move Rama and Laksmana in the Temple of Bhadrakali, Rama Adores (Hanuman) the Goddess; Hanuman Takes to his Original form 35. Killing of Ahiravana and the Story of the Birth of Ahiravana and Mahiravana 36. Candrasena Tells Hanuman the Reason for Mahlravana Taking to Many forms and the Remedy for his Death 37. Arrival of Rama and Laksmana in the Abode of Candrasena and their Departure with the Breaking of the Bed 38. Return of Hanuman with Rama and Laksmana; Arrival of Ravana in the Battlefield 39. Battle of Ravana with Rama, Laksmana and Vibhlsana; Dialogue between Ravana and Vibhlsana 40. Laksmana is Hurt with the Sakti of Ravana 41. Rama Laments at the Swoon of Laksmana 42. Rama Destroys the Demons' Army; Ravana Finds the Universe Infested with Rama 43. Hanuman Proceeds Towards Dronacala; Relieves Magari of her Curse 44. Hanuman Kills Kalanemi and Carried the Dronacala 45. Laksmana Regains Life 46. The Monkeys Destroy the Yajna of Ravana 47. Battle between Rama and Ravana 48. Killing of the Demon by the Monkeys 49. Rama Kills Ravana 50. Cremation of Ravana and his Last Rites 51. Crowning of Vibhlsana; Arrival of Gods to Meet Rama 52. Hanuman Proceeds to Asokavana and brings Sita to Rama 53. Hearing the Harsh Words of Rama, Sita Ignited the Fire-altar 54. Siva Disposes off the Dead Bodies of Demons at the Commands of Rama; Indra Brings Back to Life the Dead Monkeys by Showering of Nectar 55. Mounting the Puspaka Plane, Rama and others Proceed Towards Ayodhya; Completion of the Yuddhakanda VII. UTTARAKANDA : 1. Introductory Narration of the Poet and the Gist of the Story 2. Rama Proceeds to Ayodhya; Rama Acquaints Sita with Different Places and Events of the Past; Arrival in the Hermitage of the Sage Agastya 3. Talk between Sita and Lopamudra, Arrival of Rama in the Hermitage of Bharadvaja; Hanuman Meets Bharata at the Command of Sri Rama 4. Meeting between Bharata and Hanuman; Ayodhya Prepares to Receive Rama; Rama's Arrival in Ayodhya 5. Meeting of Rama with the People of Ayodhya 6. Welfare Bath by Rama and others 7. Description of the Grandeur of Ayodhya 8. Festivities in Ayodhya on the Arrival of Rama 9. Coronation of Rama 10. Prayer of Rama, by the Vedas 11. The Beauty of Rama and Sita 12. Rama Bids Farewell to Sugrlva and others After the Festivities 13. Sita offers a Gem-studded Necklace to Hanuman; Display of Image of Rama in the Heart of Hanuman 14. Taking Leave, Sugriva and others Leave for their Abodes 15. Rule of Rama and his Daily Routine 16. Description of Noble People and Wicked Persons by Rama 17. Description of the Duties of All Castes by Rama 18. Satrughna Kills Lavanasura 19. Untimely Death of the Son of a Brahmana and the Killing of a Sudra Tapasa 20. Owl and Vulture Freed from the Curses 21. Conversation between Rama and the Sage Agastya; the Episode of Satyavan; Merits of Offering Food in Charity 22. Conversation between Rama and Agastya; Story of the Origin of Dandakaranya Forest 23. Conversation between a Dog and a Yati 24. Festivities for Sita and her Desire to Visit the Hermitages of the Ascetics 25. Rama Orders for the Exile of Sita to Laksmana, because of the Ill Talk about her in Public 26. Disowning of Sita 27. Sita Speaks to Laksmana 28. Laksmana's Return to Rama Leaving Sita in the Forest 29. Story of the Earlier Birth of the Washerman 30. Rama Spells out the Reason for Disowning Sita 31. Sita Lements 32. Valmiki Consoles Sita; Takes her to his Hermitage; The Brahmana Gets Unhappy 33. Sita's Prayer to the Ganga 34. Ganga Reached Besides the Hermitage of Valmiki 35. Sita Gives Birth to Two Sons; the Name-giving Ceremony and their Education 36. Killing of Srngi rsi by Lava and Kusa, and their Relieving of the Sin of Brahma-hatya 37. Sita Narrates the Story of her Exile to Lava and Kusa 38. Discussion between Rama and Vasistha 39. Rama's Asvamedha Sacrifice 40. Discussion between Kanti and Puskala 41. Satrughna Reaches the Hermitage of the Sage Cyavana 42. Story of the Birth of Cyavana 43. The Glory of Nilagiri 44. Achieving of Salvation on Reaching Nilagiri 45. Capture of the Horse by Vidyunmali and Ugradanta; Puskala Kills them 46. The Sage Aranya Inform Satrughna about the Sage Lomasa; Start of the Ramayana Composed by Lomasa 47. Story of Rama as Told by the Sage Lomasa 48. Aranya Achieves Salvation after Meeting Rama 49. Sacrificial Horse Disappears in Rewa River and Satrughna Recovers it 50. Citrangada, the Son of Viramani Steals the Sacrificial Horse 51. Battle between Viramani and Puskala 52. Siva Comes for the Help of Viramani 53. Fight between Siva and Satrughna 54. Satrughna and Puskala are Fainted; Fight between Hanuman and Siva; Hanuman Moved Towards Dronacala 55. Hanuman Brings Medicine from Dronacala 56. Rama Appears to Uphold the Vow of Siva 57. The Horse Stops Near Saunaka's Hermitage 58. Talk between Saunaka and Satrughna; Earlier Story of the Demon 59. Saunaka's Discourse on the Influence of Deeds Performed by Humans 60. Saunaka Explains the Philosophy of Karma or Deeds 61. Arrial of the Horse in Kundalapura; the Story of the King Suratha 62. Arrival of Angada in the King's Court as a Messenger 63. Talk, between Suratha and Angada 64. Talk between Suratha and Satrughna; Capture of Puskala 65. The Army of Satrughna Fainted 66. Meeting between Rama and Narada; Return of the Horse After Meeting Rama; End of the Episode of the King Suratha 67. Capture of the Horse by Lava Near the Hermitage of the Sage Valmiki 68. Lava Defeats Satrughna 69. Satrughna Defeated Lava 70. Kusa Goes to Bring Lava to the Hermitage at the Instance of Sita 71. Kusa Defeats Satrughna and his Army 72. Lava and Kusa Achieve Weapons from the Sun 73. Lava and Kusa Fight with the Demon Rudhi and Laksmana 74. Laksmana Fainted in the Battlefield and Arrival of Bharata 75. Talk between Bharata and Kusa 76. Fight between Bharata and Kusa; Arrival of Rama in the Battlefield 77. Lava and Kusa Defeat All the Eight Monkeys, Commanders, Including Hanuman and Jambavan 78. Satires of Lava and Kusa on Rama 79. Talk between Lava, Kusa and Rama 80. Lava and Kusa Return Victorious to Sita 81. Sita Laments 82. Valmiki Makes Rama and others Conscious 83. Valmiki Offers Prayer to Rama 84. Lava, Kusa and Sita Approach Rama 85. Rama Accepts Sita Besides Lava and Kusa at the Request of the Sage Valmiki 86. Entry of Rama and others in Ayodhya 87. Horse Turns into the Divine form 88. Story of the Earlier Birth of the Horse 89. Concluding Bath 90. Crowning of Princes by Rama 91. Trick Played by Kaikeyi and Entry of Sita into the Patala 92. Dharma's Arrival before Rama; Durvasa's Prayer to Rama 93. Laksmana's Departure to Heaven with Indra 94. Discussion between Rama and Kusalya 95. Rama's Discourse to Kausalya Imparting the True Knowledge 96. Rama's Discourse to Kausalya 97. Description of Samddhi-yoga by Rama 98. Kausalya Achieves Salvation, Rama Describes the Merit of Adoring the Mother 99. Rama's Resolve to Proceed to his Own Abode 100. Arrival of Rama at the Bank of the River Sarayu with the People of Ayodhya 101. Redemption of a Dog by Rama; Description of the Qualities of the Guru (Teacher) 102. Brahma Eulogises Rama 103. Siva Eulogises Rama, Dasaratha Attains Salvation 104. Prayer Offered by the Gods to Rama 105. Sesa Offers his Prayer to Rama 106. Sugriva and other Monkeys Leave for the Heaven 107. Sri Rama Grants Boons to Hanuman and Jambavan 108. Rama and Sita Proceed to Vaikuntha 109. Expansion of the Race of Kusa 110. Contents from Balakanda to Sundarakanda 111. The Contents of Yuddhakanda and Uttarakanda 112. Completion of the Treatise