"From the day when Sati's spirit left the body he [Shiva] became a rigid ascetic, ever telling his beads in Rama's name, and attending the public recitations in his honour."

"The anguish of my heart is beyond words, but I take comfort when I remember Rama, whom men call the lord of compassion, and whom the Vedas hymn as the remover of distress. Him I supplicate with folded hands. May this body of mine be speedily dissolved. As my love for Shiva is unfeigned in thought, word, and deed, and as his word cannot fail."

"He, the heavenly king, detected the deceit; for he sees all things alike and knows the heart, the all-wise lord Rama, the very thought of whom disperses error. Yet even him Sati attempted to deceive — see how inveterate woman's nature is. But Rama acknowledging the effect of his own delusive power, with a sweet smile and folded hands saluted her, mentioning both her own name and that of her father, and added where is Mahadev, and why are you wandering alone in the [[w:Forest|forest?"

"Although Bhawani did not speak out, Mahadev can read the heart and knew her thoughts, and said: Listen to me, Sati; you are just like a woman; but you should not entertain these doubts; this is that Rama, my special patron, whose story was sung by the Rishi Agastya; in whom I exhorted the saint to have faith, and who is ever worshipped by seers and sages."

"The story of the marriage of Shiva with the daughter of the snowy mountains is like the winter; the glad rejoicings at the Lord's birth are like the dewy season; the account of the preparations for Rama's wedding are like the delightful and auspicious spring; Rama’s intolerable banishment is like the hot weather, and the story of his journeyings like the blazing sun and the wind; his encounters with fierce demons, by which he gladdens the hosts of heaven, are like the rains that refresh the fields; the prosperity of his reign, his meekness and greatness are like the clear, bountiful, and lovely autumn; the recital of the virtues of Sita, that jewel of faithful wives, is as the undefiled and excellent water; the amiability of Bharat as its unvarying coolness."

"The heart is as it were a deep place in a land of good thoughts, the Vedas and Puranas are the sea, and saints are as clouds, which rain down praises of Rama in sweet, grateful, and auspicious showers; the sportive actions related of him are like the inherent purity and cleansing power of rain-water, while devotion is beyond the power of words to describe is its sweetness and coolness."

"The story of Rama is a resting-place for the intellect; a universal delight; a destroyer of worldly impurity; an antidote to the venom of passion; a match to enkindle the fire of wisdom; the cow of plenty of this iron age; flowers of ambrosia to make men immortal; a stream of nectar of the face of the earth; destroyer of death; a [[snake to devour toad-like error; befriending good by the destruction of hell in the same way as Parvati befriended the gods by destroying the army of demons; like Lakshmi rising from the sea in the assembly of saints; immovable as the earth that supports all the weight of creation; like the Jamuna, to put to shame the angel of death; like Kashi, the saviour of all creatures; as dear to Rama as the pure Tulsi; as dear to Tulsidas as his own heart's desire; as dear to Shiva as the daughter of Mount Mekal (i.e., the Narmada), bestower of all perfection and prosperity; like Aditi, gracious mother of all the gods; the perfect outcome of love and devotion to Raghubar"

"Thus the very crime for which he like a huntsman killed Bali, was in turn the sin of Sugriva, and again of Vibhishan; but in their case Rama did not dream of censure, but honoured them both at the meeting with Bharat and commended them in open in court."

"As Narsinh was manifested to destroy the enemy of heaven, Hiranyakasipu, and protect Prahlad, so is Rama's name for the destruction of the world and the protection of the pious. By repeating this name, whether in joy or in repose, bliss is diffused all around."

"Rama assembled a host of bears and monkeys and had no little trouble to build his bridge; his name can dry up the ocean of life; meditate thereon, 0 ye faithful. Rama killed in battle Ravan and all his family and returned with Sita in his own city, a king to Avadh his capital, while gods and saints hymned his praises, but his servants, if only they affectionately meditate on his name, vanquish with ease the whole army of error, and move, absorbed in interior ecstasy, without even a dream of sorrow."

"Thus there are in the world four kinds of Rama-worshippers, all four good, holy, and beneficent; but of these four sages who trust in the name they are the most dear to the lord who understand his mysteries. His name is great in the four Vedas and in the four ages of the world, but in this fourth age [Kali Yuga] especially there is no other hope."

"Whoever in a devout spirit, with intelligence and attention, hears or repeats this lay of mine, he shall become full of true love for Rama, and cleansed from worldly stains shall enjoy heavenly felicity."

"Before the strong wind that could uproot Mount Meru, of what account is such a mere flock of cotton as I am? When I think of Rama's infinite majesty I tremble as I write."

"The most elegant composition of the most talented poet has no real beauty if the name of Rama is not in it; in the same way as a lovely woman adorned with the richest jewels is vile if unclothed. But the most worthless production of the feeblest versifier, if adorned with the name of Rama, is heard and repeated with reverence by the wise; like bees gathering honey; though the poetry has not a single merit, the glory of Rama is manifested in it."

"With this having purified the eyes of my understanding, I proceed to relate the actions of Rama, the redeemer of the world. First I reverence the feet of the great Brahman saints, potent to remove the doubts engendered by error."

"...Abandoning a spot which Rama had made so peculiarly his own; of the thieves who were prevented from breaking into the poet's [Tulsidas] house by Rama himself acting as watchman; of his visit to Brindaban and his interview with Nabhti Ji, and of his persistence in preferring the worship of Rama to that of Krishna, though the latter assured him in person that there was no difference between the two - all these legends as given in the Bhakta-Mala, whatever their foundation, are still popularly accepted as verities and are in dissolubly connected with the poet’s name."

"They grow up, and the king is thinking where to find suitable brides for them, when Visvamitra comes, and after a long colloquy takes away with him Rama and Lakshmana to protect him at the time of sacrifice from the demons that persistently assail him."

"A few days after Sita's disappearance, a messenger came to Rama from the gods, who intimated to him that his mission on earth was finished and he was to return to heaven. These tidings brought to him the recognition of his own real Self. He plunged into the waters of Sarayu, the mighty river that laved his capital, and joined Sita in the other world."

"...the old murmur arose: "The test! The test!" Poor Sita was so terribly overcome by the repeated cruel slight on her reputation that it was more than she could bear. She appealed to the gods to testify to her innocence, when the Earth opened and Sita exclaimed, "Here is the test", and vanished into the bosom of the Earth. The people were taken aback at this tragic end. And Rama was overwhelmed with grief."

"They arranged even a dramatic entertainment, to enhance the religious feeling in this great festival. Valmiki, the great sage-poet, came with his pupils, Lava and Kusha, the unknown sons of Rama....Under the direction of Valmiki, the life of Rama was sung by Lava and Kusha, who fascinated the whole assembly by their charming voice and appearance. Poor Rama was nearly maddened, and when in the drama, the scene of Sita's exile came about, he did not know what to do. Then the sage said to him, "Do not be grieved, for I will show you Sita." Then Sita was brought upon the stage and Rama delighted to see his wife."

"There came a time when Rama was going to perform a huge sacrifice, or Yajna, such as the old kings used to celebrate....Now Rama's wife was not with him then, as she had been banished. So, the people asked him to marry again. But at this request Rama for the first time in his life stood against the people. He said, "This cannot be. My life is Sita's." So, as a substitute, a golden statue of Sita was made, in order that the; ceremony could be accomplished."

"Valmiki dramatised "The Life of Rama", and taught Rama's two children how to recite and sing it."

"In order to satisfy the demands of the people, Sita was banished, and left to live in the forest, where was the hermitage of the sage and poet Valmiki. The sage found poor Sita weeping and forlorn, and hearing her sad story, sheltered her in his Âshrama. Sita was expecting soon to become a mother, and she gave birth to twin boys. The poet never told the children who they were. He brought them up together in the Brahmachârin life. He then composed the poem known as Ramayana, set it to music, and dramatised it."

"Rama passed a few years in happiness with Sita, when the people again began to murmur that Sita had been stolen by a demon and carried across the ocean. They were not satisfied with the former test and clamoured for another test, otherwise she must be banished."

"Early during the period of exile, Bharata, the younger brother had come and informed Rama, of the death of the old king [Dasharatha] and vehemently insisted on his occupying the throne. During Rama's exile Bharata would on no account ascend the throne and out of respect placed a pair of Rama's wooden shoes on it as a substitute for his brother. Then Rama returned to his capital, and by the common consent of his people he became the king of Ayodhya."

"...when the bridge was finished, the whole army of monkeys, led by Rama and his brother entered Ceylon. For several months afterwards tremendous war and bloodshed followed. At last, this demon king, Ravana, was conquered and killed; and his capital, with all the palaces and everything, which were entirely of solid gold, was taken.... all these golden cities fell into the hands of Rama, who gave them over to Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana, and seated him on the throne in the place of his brother, as a return for the valuable services rendered by him to Rama during the war."

"The monkeys removed whole hills, placed them in the sea and covered them with stones and trees, thus making a huge embankment. A little squirrel, so it is said, was there rolling himself in the sand and running backwards and forwards on to the bridge and shaking himself. Thus in his small way he was working for the bridge of Rama by putting in sand.... Rama saw it and remarked: "Blessed be the little squirrel; he is doing his work to the best of his ability, and he is therefore quite as great as the greatest of you." Then he gently stroked the squirrel on the back, and the marks of Rama's fingers, running lengthwise, are seen on the squirrel's back to this day."

"Learning everything about Sita from Hanuman, Rama collected an army, and with it marched towards the southernmost point of India. There Rama's monkeys built a huge bridge, called Setu-Bandha, connecting India with Ceylon. In very low water even now it is possible to cross from India to Ceylon over the sand-banks there....Rama was God incarnate, otherwise, how could he have done all these things? He was an Incarnation of God, according to the Hindus.... believes him to be the seventh Incarnation of God."

"...the monkey-king Vâli and his younger brother Sugriva were then fighting amongst themselves for the kingdom. The younger brother was helped by Rama, and he regained the kingdom from Vali, who had driven him away; and he, in return, promised to help Rama. They searched the country all round, but could not find Sita. At last Hanuman leaped by one bound from the coast of India to the island of Ceylon, and there went looking all over Lanka for Sita, but nowhere could he find her....he found Sita under a tree, pale and thin, like the new moon that lies low in the horizon....Hanuman came nearer to Sita and told her how he became the messenger of Rama, who had sent him to find out where Sita was; and Hanuman showed to Sita the signet ring which Rama had given as a token for establishing his identity....she gave him a jewel from her hair to carry to Rama; and with that Hanuman returned."

"So, Rama, at last, fell in with these monkeys. They told him that they had seen flying through the sky a chariot, in which was seated a demon who was carrying away a most beautiful lady, and that she was weeping bitterly, and as the chariot passed over their heads she dropped one of her ornaments to attract their attention. Then they showed Rama the ornament....the monkeys told Rama who this demon king was and where he lived, and then they all went to seek for him."

"When Rama and Lakshmana returned to the cottage and found that Sita was not there, their grief knew no bounds.... After long searching, they came across a group of "monkeys", and in the midst of them was Hanumân, the "divine monkey". Hanuman, the best of the monkeys, became the most faithful servant of Rama and helped him in rescuing Sita. His devotion to Rama was so great that he is still worshipped by the Hindus as the ideal of a true servant of the Lord...the "monkeys" and "demons" are meant the aborigines of South India."

"...the giant king [Ravana], who had taken the form of a mendicant monk, stood at the gate and asked for alms. "Wait awhile," said Sita, "until my husband comes back and I will give you plentiful alms." "I cannot wait, good lady," said he, "I am very hungry, give me anything you have."... But the mendicant monk after many persuasions prevailed upon her to bring the alms to him, assuring her that she need have no fear as he was a holy person. So Sita came out of the magic circle, and immediately the seeming monk assumed his giant body, and grasping Sita in his arms he called his magic chariot, and putting her therein, he fled with the weeping Sita. Poor Sita! She was utterly helpless, nobody, was there to come to her aid. As the giant was carrying her away, she took off a few of the [[w:Ornaments|ornaments from her arms and at intervals dropped them to the grounds."

"Then Lakshmana laid a circle of fire round the cottage, and he said to Sita, "Today I see something may befall you; and, therefore, I tell you not to go outside of this magic circle. Some danger may befall you if you do." In the meanwhile, Rama had pierced the magic deer with his arrow, and immediately the deer, changed into the form of a man, died."

"Rama was the most powerful of mortals; there were no giants or demons or anybody else strong enough to conquer him. So, the giant king had to resort to subterfuge. He got hold of another giant who was a magician and changed him into a beautiful golden deer; and the deer went prancing round about the place where Rama lived, until Sita was fascinated by its beauty and asked Rama to go and capture the deer for her. Rama went into the forest to catch the deer, leaving his brother in charge of Sita."

"On the banks of the river they built little cottages, and Rama and Lakshmana used to hunt deer and collect fruits. After they had lived thus for some time, one day there came a demon giantess. She was the sister of the giant king of Lanka (Ceylon) [Ravana]. Roaming through the forest at will, she came across Rama, and seeing that he was a very handsome man, she fell in love with him at once. But Rama was the purest of men, and also he was a married man; so of course he could not return her love. In revenge, she went to her brother, the giant king, and told him all about the beautiful Sita, the wife of Rama."

"Wherever Rama goes, there goes Sita. How can you talk of 'princess' and 'royal birth' to me? I go before you!" Sita in reply to Rama’s exclaiming "How can you, a princess, face hardships and accompany me into a forest full of unknown dangers!""

"Rama was the life and soul of the old king and when this wicked request was made to him, he as a king felt he could not go back on his word. So he did not know what to do. But Rama came to the rescue and willingly offered to give up the throne and go into exile, so that his father might not be guilty of falsehood. So Rama went into exile for fourteen years, accompanied by his loving wife Sita and his devoted brother Lakshmana, who would on no account be parted from him."

"Then, Rama took his bride to his home, and his old father thought that the time was now come for him to retire and appoint Rama as Yuvaraja. Everything was accordingly made ready for the ceremony, and the whole country was jubilant over the affair, when the younger queen Kaikeyi was reminded by one of her maidservants of two promises made to her by the king long ago...the servant suggested to her to ask from the king the two promised boons: one would be that her own son Bharata should be placed on the throne, and the other, that Rama should be sent to the forest and be exiled for fourteen years."

"Now, there was another king, called Janaka, and this king had a beautiful daughter named Sitâ. Sita was found in a field; she was a daughter of the Earth, and was born without parents....When she was of a marriageable age, the king wanted to find a suitable husband for her...There was an ancient Indian custom called Svayamvara, by which the princesses used to choose husbands....There were numbers of princes who aspired for the hand of Sita; the test demanded on this occasion was the breaking of a huge bow, called Haradhanu. All the princes put forth all their strength to accomplish this feat, but failed. Finally, Rama took the mighty bow in his hands and with easy grace broke it in twain. Thus Sita selected Rama, the son of King Dasharatha for her husband, and they were wedded with great rejoicings."

"There was an ancient Indian town called Ayodhyâ... There, in ancient times, reigned a king called Dasharatha. He had three queens, but the king had not any children by them. And like good Hindus, the king and the queens, all went on pilgrimages fasting and praying, that they might have children and, in good time, four sons were born. The eldest of them was Rama....Now, as it should be, these four brothers were thoroughly educated in all branches of learning. To avoid future quarrels there was in ancient India a custom for the king in his own lifetime to nominate his eldest son as his successor, the Yuvarâja, young king, as he is called."

""Arise, O sage! "Thus aroused he exclaimed, "Sage? I am a robber!" "No more 'robber'," answered the voice, "a purified sage art thou. Thine old name is gone. But now, since thy meditation was so deep and great that thou didst not remark even the ant-hills which surrounded thee, henceforth, thy name shall be Valmiki — 'he that was born in the ant-hill'." So, he became a sage...."Thou art a wretch," he cried, "without the smallest mercy! Thy slaying hand would not even stop for love!" "What is this? What am I saying?" the poet thought to himself, "I have never spoken in this sort of way before." And then a voice came: "Be not afraid. This is poetry that is coming out of your mouth. Write the life of Rama in poetic language for the benefit of the world." And that is how the poem first began. The first verse sprang out of pits from the mouth of Valmiki, the first poet. And it was after that, that he wrote the beautiful Ramayana, "The Life of Rama"."

"The oldest of the epics is called Ramayana, "The Life of Râma". There was some poetical literature before this — most of the Vedas, the sacred books of the Hindus, are written in a sort of metre — but this book is held by common consent in India as the very beginning of poetry. The name of the poet or sage was Vâlmiki. Later on, a great many poetical stories were fastened upon that ancient poet; and subsequently, it became a very general practice to attribute to his authorship very many verses that were not his. Notwithstanding all these interpolations, it comes down to us as a very beautiful arrangement, without equal in the literatures of the world."

"“After all, the vulgar opinion of the Gentiles, touching the God Ram, is that he was produced, and came out of the Light, in the same manner as the Fringe of a Belt comes out of that Belt; and if they Assign him a Father whom they call Desser (Dasharath), and a Mother named Gaoucella (Kausalya); that is only for form sake, seeing he was not born: And in that consideration, the Indians render him divine Honours in their Pagods, and elsewhere; And when they salute their Friends they repeat his Name, saying Ram, Ram. Their Adoration consists in joining their hands, as if they Prayed, letting them fall very low, and then lifting them up again gently to their mouth, and last of all, in raising them over their head.” (Part III, p. 65)"

"Ram, a king so famous for piety and high attempts, that to this day his name is exceedingly honoured, so that when they say Ram Rame, ’tis as if they should say, “all good betide you”. (p. 47)"

"You cannot count on the physical proximity of someone you love, all the time. A seed that sprouts at the foot of its parent tree remains stunted until it is transplanted. Rama will be in my care, and he will be quite well. But ultimately, he will leave me too. Every human being, when the time comes, has to depart to seek his [[fulfillment in his own way."

"The Ramayana tells the story of the deeds of Lord Ram who, having devoted himself to fighting demons, defeats in a mighty war Ravan, the demon king of Lanka (present day Sri Lanka), who had kidnapped his wife Sita."

"Am a servant of Rama, Accredited to His Court, What for should I Be a Courier of man?"

"Yes, there is the name of Lord Rama, The gracious, the essence of scripture, more pure, efficacious."

"The story of Ramachandra [Rama], as narrated in the Valmiki Ramayan and the Adhyatma Ramayan, after reinforcing and revitalizing it with the essence of whatever the Puranas, the Vedas, and other scriptures could give, I, Tulsidas, am writing for the delight of my own soul."