The story of Rama, narrated by sage Narada to Valmiki, made such an impact on him that he started composing it without any delay. Having performed Achamana, Valmiki seated on Kusha grass, with folded palms invoked the powers of his penance, which enabled him to visualize many past events.In his mind's eye, the great Valmiki saw Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, king Dasaratha, his wives, and his kingdom; their joys, their experiences and their endeavors. He wrote of events and their consequences, that wove the life and saga of an embodiment of dharma, that the world would one-day revere as a god. He saw Rama the holy one, bound by truth and righteousness, his trials and tribulations, his entry into Dandakaranya followed by his beloved wife Sita and faithful brother Lakshmana.Ecstatic at the glorious visions of Sri Rama's life, possessed by divinity he launched on the saga of Rama and the world came to see the birth of the Ramayana, in the same form as told by Narada. Valmiki went on to describe the birth of Rama, of his benevolence, compassion, forbearance, and his attachment to truth and righteousness. His physical beauty combined with self-effulgence was stunning. Many an astonishing story was told of Rama's association with Visvamitra, the breaking of the great bow, of Sita becoming his consort the appearance of Parasurama shaking with fury, their confrontation and of Rama's return to Ayodhya.

The divine narration goes on to say how Rama's coronation was interrupted, of his banishment to the forests to gratify Kaikeyi's wishes, and of the anguish and lamentation of Dasaratha at the sudden turn of events. Great was the misery and greater the grief of Dasaratha, who unable to bear the separation from his beloved son, succumbed to his sorrow and the people of Ayodhya witnessed the passing away of a great and venerable king.After his banishment it describes Rama reaching the forest, with Sumantra as the charioteer, followed by the sorrowing people of Ayodhya, who had come to bid them farewell. It tells of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana meeting Guha, the Nishada chief, who readies his boat to ferry them across the river Ganga while Sumantra and the others from Ayodhya bade them a tearful farewell.

Rama crossing the Ganga meets the sage Bharadvaja at whose instructions, he goes on to mount Chitrakuta where a hut is constructed for their dwelling.Bharata stricken with grief arrives to request Rama to return to the kingdom to offer libations to their father. He refuses to rule Ayodhya but consoled and convinced by Rama, goes back taking with him the sandals of Rama, to install them on the throne at Nandigrama and rule on behalf of his brother.The slaying of Viradha was the first act of Rama upon entering the forest. Later after paying homage to Sarabhanaga he arrives at the hermitage of Sutikshana.

Rama journeys to Panchavati and meets sage Agastya. Surpanakha appears and is disfigured, after her conversation with Rama. Khara and Trisira are slain. Ravana begins his treacherous efforts to cause harm to Rama and in its wake come the destruction of Maricha and the abduction of Sita. Rama is grief stricken at the death of Jatayu and agonizes over his separation from Sita. He encounters Kabandha, and advised by him arrives at the river Pampa where he meets his great devotee, the pious Sabari and mighty Hanuman.

Rama departs to Rishyamuka and meets Sugriva, with whom he forms a pact of friendship. In the battle that ensues between Vali and Sugriva, Vali dies and Sugriva is crowned king of Kishkinda. Rama sojourns at mount Prasravana while Hanuman crosses the sea to Lanka to seek Sita and present her with the Chudamani. The lord of the sea appears and advises the construction of a bridge across the sea to Lanka to bring Sita back with the help of Nala. Rama and his forces cross the bridge and lay siege to Lanka. Noble Vibhishana provides clues for the destruction of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghanada.Sita is united with her lord Rama. Vibhishana is crowned king of Lanka and the Pushpaka carries Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhya.

Rama returns and Bharata is delighted at the reunion. Ayodhya celebrates the arrival of Rama.Feasts, festivity and joy rule Ayodhya on the eve of Rama's coronation. Monkey forces are disbanded and sent away and the glorious reign of Rama begins. Supreme happiness prevails. One more major and poignant event of the Ramayana is the abandoning of Sita in the forest. Even before the abandonment of Sita, sage Valmiki had documented the many facets of Rama's glorious life and rule on this earth, in seven Kandas. The events yet to happen are chronicled, in the Uttarakanda of the Ramayana.