
Bala Kanda
The origins of King Dasharatha, the fire sacrifice for sons, the birth of Rama and his brothers, their education, and Rama's marriage to Sita.
The epic begins with the birth of Rama and his brothers to King Dasharatha. Sage Vishwamitra trains the young princes in warfare and divine weapons to protect his sacrifices from demons. The chapter culminates in the Swayamvara (marriage contest) where Rama breaks Shiva's bow and weds Sita.