Sagara started a sacrifice. He sent his 60000 sons to guard the horse, but the horse got stolen. What happened when the sons found the horse?
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
From Summary to Analysis: Exploring Indian Vernacular Texts
For over a decade, these blogs have been a home for the
English translation of the [Kashidasi Mahabharat / Krittivasi Ramayan]. I am
grateful to the thousands of readers who have used this space as a concise
reference for these Bengali vernacular classics.
While this archive will remain online for those seeking a short,
direct telling of the text, I am excited to announce a new project that
takes this work much deeper.
Introducing: Written by Babu
At my new site: Written by Babu,
I am revisiting these texts. Instead of a translation, I am now detailing the
epics page-by-page and chapter-by-chapter, providing:
- Expanded
Narratives: A more immersive retelling of the stories.
- Deep
Analysis: Insights into the regional nuances of Bengali traditions.
Which site should you use?
- Stay
here if you need a quick, complete summary of the chapters.
- Join
me at Written
by Babu if you want to explore the "why" behind the
stories with three new detailed posts every week (Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday).
Thank you for being part of this journey for the last eleven
years. I look forward to seeing you in our new, more detailed home.
Tuesday, 5 August 2025
My Krittibas Ramayana Retellings Now on Substack
For those who enjoy my retellings of the Ramayana by Krittibas , I have news! I've started a Substack page. I'll be sharing these stories there, piece by piece, as a new way to follow along.
Come join me on Substack!
https://writtenbybabu.substack.com/
Monday, 14 November 2016
Rama goes back
Having lived a long life, Rama gave himself up. Many sages went with Rama. Many others wanted to go with Rama, but Rama asked them to stay back.
In Vaikuntha Rama showed himself as Vishnu. Sita came there as Lakshmi.
Rama said Where will the people go, who came along with me?
Brahma said I have created a part of the heaven for them. Also, all those who hear the Ramayana will go there. All vedas are one side and your name is heavier than that.
One who listens to the seven kandas of Ramayana will have the same gain as one gains from the Ashwamedha yagna.
With this the seven kandas of Ramayana end.
In Vaikuntha Rama showed himself as Vishnu. Sita came there as Lakshmi.
Rama said Where will the people go, who came along with me?
Brahma said I have created a part of the heaven for them. Also, all those who hear the Ramayana will go there. All vedas are one side and your name is heavier than that.
One who listens to the seven kandas of Ramayana will have the same gain as one gains from the Ashwamedha yagna.
With this the seven kandas of Ramayana end.
Sunday, 13 November 2016
Lakshmana banished
Time or Kaala came to Rama in the guise of the sage. Rama was in court and Lakshmana was standing guard. The sage came to Lakshmana and asked for audience with Rama. Lakshmana went to Rama and said there was a visitor. Getting permission from Rama, Lakshmana brought the visitor inside.
The sage said to Rama, I have something personal and private to discuss with you. Promise that if anyone interrupts, that person will be banished for ever. One person is to stand guard at the door and not let anyone inside.
Rama asked Laksmana to stand guard. He said Please stand guard and do let anyone inside. If anyone enters, that person will be banished forever. Stand guard and be careful.
The sage and Rama went inside a room. The sage aid Rama, I am Time. I have come to remind you that your time on this earth is getting over. You need to return to your celestial kingdom.
Rama said he would do the same.
Brahma then sent the sage Durvasa there. The sage came and met Lakshmana. He said he wanted to meet Rama. Lakshmana said Rama was busy and would come meet him, when he was free.
Durvasa was angry and said He would burn the city of Ayodhya if he was not allowed to go inside.
Lakshmana thought If he was able to save the city from being destroyed, he was fine to take the banishment on his shoulder.
Lakshmana took Durvasa inside. Seeing Durvasa, Time left. Rama greeted Durvasa and asked what he wanted. Durvasa said he was hungry and had not eaten for a year and needed to be fed. Durvasa was fed.
Rama was in a dilemma. If he did not banish Lakshmana he would be known as a person who did not follow his word. If on the contrary he banished Lakshmana, he would be dead.
He asked the sages in the court what to do. They said It was proper for Rama to banish Lakshmana.
Lakshmana said It would be proper to listen to the sages.
Rama had tears in his eyes. All people in the city had wet eyes. Lakshmana took leave of all. He stepped into the flowing waters of the river Sarayu.
Rama was heartbroken. He said there was no point in leading this life anymore. Bharata said If Rama went, he would leave also.
Rama asked Bharata to send for Shatrughna. Shatrughna crowned his Subahu the king of Mathura and left for Ayodhya.
Messages were sent everywhere that Rama had decided to end his life. Vibhishana with his rakshsas and Sugriva with the vanaras came there.
To Vibhishana Rama said Rule Lanka wisely.
To Hanumana, Rama said As long as people remember me, your name will also be taken.
Hanumana said Wherever your name is taken, I will make myself present there.
Rama said By the boon of Brahma You will be immortal. Till Sun and Moon are shining, you will remain here.
To Jambuvana, Rama said Be young again. If I am on this earth again, I will meet you once more,
Rama divided his kingdom among Lava and Kusha and decided to leave.
The sage said to Rama, I have something personal and private to discuss with you. Promise that if anyone interrupts, that person will be banished for ever. One person is to stand guard at the door and not let anyone inside.
Rama asked Laksmana to stand guard. He said Please stand guard and do let anyone inside. If anyone enters, that person will be banished forever. Stand guard and be careful.
The sage and Rama went inside a room. The sage aid Rama, I am Time. I have come to remind you that your time on this earth is getting over. You need to return to your celestial kingdom.
Rama said he would do the same.
Brahma then sent the sage Durvasa there. The sage came and met Lakshmana. He said he wanted to meet Rama. Lakshmana said Rama was busy and would come meet him, when he was free.
Durvasa was angry and said He would burn the city of Ayodhya if he was not allowed to go inside.
Lakshmana thought If he was able to save the city from being destroyed, he was fine to take the banishment on his shoulder.
Lakshmana took Durvasa inside. Seeing Durvasa, Time left. Rama greeted Durvasa and asked what he wanted. Durvasa said he was hungry and had not eaten for a year and needed to be fed. Durvasa was fed.
Rama was in a dilemma. If he did not banish Lakshmana he would be known as a person who did not follow his word. If on the contrary he banished Lakshmana, he would be dead.
He asked the sages in the court what to do. They said It was proper for Rama to banish Lakshmana.
Lakshmana said It would be proper to listen to the sages.
Rama had tears in his eyes. All people in the city had wet eyes. Lakshmana took leave of all. He stepped into the flowing waters of the river Sarayu.
Rama was heartbroken. He said there was no point in leading this life anymore. Bharata said If Rama went, he would leave also.
Rama asked Bharata to send for Shatrughna. Shatrughna crowned his Subahu the king of Mathura and left for Ayodhya.
Messages were sent everywhere that Rama had decided to end his life. Vibhishana with his rakshsas and Sugriva with the vanaras came there.
To Vibhishana Rama said Rule Lanka wisely.
To Hanumana, Rama said As long as people remember me, your name will also be taken.
Hanumana said Wherever your name is taken, I will make myself present there.
Rama said By the boon of Brahma You will be immortal. Till Sun and Moon are shining, you will remain here.
To Jambuvana, Rama said Be young again. If I am on this earth again, I will meet you once more,
Rama divided his kingdom among Lava and Kusha and decided to leave.
Saturday, 12 November 2016
Kingdom divided among sons
Rama ruled the kingdom for eleven thousand years. Slowly Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra passed away.
One day the king of Kaikeya came to Rama and asked for his help. His land was being attacked the Gandharva Lomesha.
Rama called Bharata. He said Go to the land of your mother. Defeat the Gandharva and then make your sons the kings there.
Bharata went there and defeated the gandharvas. The sons of Bharata - Pushkara and Taksha were made kings there.
Sons of Lakshmana, Angada and Chadraketu were also made kings. The kingdom of Malya was given to Angada and Chandraketu got the land of Ahshwa.
Shatrughati and Subahu, sons of Shatrughna took over the kingdom of Mathura.
Ayodhya and Nandigrama was divided between Lava and Kusha.
One day the king of Kaikeya came to Rama and asked for his help. His land was being attacked the Gandharva Lomesha.
Rama called Bharata. He said Go to the land of your mother. Defeat the Gandharva and then make your sons the kings there.
Bharata went there and defeated the gandharvas. The sons of Bharata - Pushkara and Taksha were made kings there.
Sons of Lakshmana, Angada and Chadraketu were also made kings. The kingdom of Malya was given to Angada and Chandraketu got the land of Ahshwa.
Shatrughati and Subahu, sons of Shatrughna took over the kingdom of Mathura.
Ayodhya and Nandigrama was divided between Lava and Kusha.
Friday, 11 November 2016
Grief of Lava and Kusha
Throwing their veenas. the two brothers fell on the ground. How will we live without you? We know no one else other than you. You fed us when we were hungry. You brought us up and when it is time for us to look after you, you left us.
Rama asked the boys to be sent to Kaushalya. The Queens of Dahsratha consoled the boys. Lakshama, Bharata and Shatrughna went to the boys and tried to console them.
The boys were crying away. Seeing no other option, they called Rama. Rama came and all there were in tears.
Rama then decided to tear open the earth and get Sita back. Brahma seeing this came to Rama and said You are the who takes care of all, why do you destroy the creation.
The sages said to Rama, Do not grieve. Listen to the complete Ramayana again tomorrow. You will feel good.
Early morning, Rama sat in the court and his sons They had stopped at Sita's banishment. They sang the complete song about how Rama would banish Lakshamana.
The sages who had come left pleased with the song.
Rama asked the boys to be sent to Kaushalya. The Queens of Dahsratha consoled the boys. Lakshama, Bharata and Shatrughna went to the boys and tried to console them.
The boys were crying away. Seeing no other option, they called Rama. Rama came and all there were in tears.
Rama then decided to tear open the earth and get Sita back. Brahma seeing this came to Rama and said You are the who takes care of all, why do you destroy the creation.
The sages said to Rama, Do not grieve. Listen to the complete Ramayana again tomorrow. You will feel good.
Early morning, Rama sat in the court and his sons They had stopped at Sita's banishment. They sang the complete song about how Rama would banish Lakshamana.
The sages who had come left pleased with the song.
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