THE RAMAYANA VOL 1: BALA KANDAM

The Bala kanda begins with the ascetic Valmiki questioning the famous sage Narada if there is any man who is truly virtuous. Narada replies that there is such a man, and that his name is Rama. He then goes on to briefly describe Rama's physical characteristics and to briefly summarize the story of the Ramayana. Next, the book describes how Valmiki wrote the Ramayana and taught it to Lava and Kusha who soon enough launch into the full story.