Valmiki's Ramayana, the Adi-kavya or "first poem", is traditionally said to hold about 24,000 verses in seven books. Here is the whole story, book by book.
Valmiki receives the story from the sage Narada and is moved to compose it in verse. King Dasharatha of Ayodhya performs a sacrifice for heirs, and four sons are born: Rama to Kausalya, Bharata to Kaikeyi, and Lakshmana and Shatrughna to Sumitra. The sage Vishvamitra takes Rama and Lakshmana to protect his rites, and at Mithila Rama lifts and breaks Shiva's bow to win Sita, daughter of King Janaka.
On the eve of Rama's coronation, Queen Kaikeyi claims two boons once promised by Dasharatha: Bharata's coronation and Rama's exile to the forest for fourteen years. Rama accepts, and Sita and Lakshmana go with him. Dasharatha dies of grief. Bharata refuses the throne, follows Rama to Chitrakuta, and returns with Rama's sandals to rule in his name.
The exiles live among forest sages and settle at Panchavati. Lakshmana disfigures the rakshasi Shurpanakha after she attacks Sita. Her brother Ravana, king of Lanka, uses the golden deer Maricha to draw Rama and Lakshmana away and abducts Sita. The vulture Jatayu dies trying to stop him, and Rama meets the devotee Shabari.
Searching for Sita, Rama meets Hanuman and the exiled vanara prince Sugriva. Rama kills Sugriva's brother Vali, and Sugriva becomes king of Kishkindha. Search parties go out in every direction; the vulture Sampati reveals that Sita is held in Lanka, across the ocean.
Hanuman leaps across the ocean, finds Sita in the Ashoka grove, and gives her Rama's ring as a sign. Captured and brought before Ravana, he delivers Rama's warning; when his tail is set alight, he burns Lanka and returns with Sita's jewel. This book is widely recited on its own as a text of devotion and courage.
Ravana's brother Vibhishana takes refuge with Rama. The vanara army builds a bridge to Lanka, and in the war Kumbhakarna and Indrajit fall before Rama kills Ravana. Sita's purity is affirmed through the fire ordeal, Vibhishana is crowned, and Rama returns to Ayodhya to be crowned, beginning Rama Rajya.
Stories of Ravana's origins are told. Because of public doubt, Rama sends Sita away; at Valmiki's ashram she gives birth to Lava and Kusha, who later sing the Ramayana before Rama. Sita returns to the earth, her mother, and Rama in time leaves the world. Many scholars consider this book, like parts of the Bala Kanda, a later addition.
Prince of Ayodhya, seventh avatar of Vishnu, the model of dharma.
Daughter of the earth, found by Janaka; steadfast in exile and captivity.
Rama's brother and constant companion in service.
Vanara devotee whose strength is moved by devotion to Rama.
Rama's brother who rules as steward, never as owner.
Learned king of Lanka, undone by desire and pride.
Go deeper with the Moral & Spiritual Lessons of the Ramayana, or talk with Rama or Hanuman as a Spiritual Guide.
Twelve dharmic lessons drawn from Rama, Sita, Hanuman, and others.
Deeper reading of all 18 chapters — context, characters, signature verses.
A guide for every festival — scripture, traditional observance, and a practice.
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