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Janakiharana
Janakiharana by Kumaradasa is the first Sanskrit Mahakavya that deals with the entire epic of Ramayana.

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Janakiharana was actually written in the Sinhalese language but later on it was translated in south India. The Janakiharana suffers from the trite theme. However his invention is almost insignificant. There are poetic pictures of Dasaratha and his wives and that of Ayodhya. In canto ii Brihaspati appealing to Lord Vishnu for help has been described. The exploits of Ravana has also been revealed. In canto three he employs his themes. The king and his wives enjoy in the garden. Thereafter is the king`s own description of the scene; the poet then describes the sports in the water, the king the sunset, then night and morning are described.

Cantos IV and V describes the birth of Dasaratha`s sons to the slaying of the Rakshasi who curses the hermitage. One can get the picture of naughty Rama. In Canto VI the scene shifts to the place of Mithila where Vishwamitra and King Janaka exchange greetings. In canto vii Sita and Rama meet. Her beauty, love and marriage are described. This is followed by the picture of the joys of their union which ends with a fine description of sunset and night. The next canto brings is again shifted to Ayodhya and in x the poet gives a lecture from Dasaratha, who proposes to crown Lord Rama in order to take over the duties of the sovereign. Here again several events are crowded.

Sita is stolen before the canto ends. Rama`s alliance with Hanuman who fights Bali has been mentioned. The poet thereafter shifts to the theme of the rainy season, which he first himself and then through Rama describes beautifully. Canto xii describes the spring. Thereafter Sugriva suggests an ill advice and Lakshmana reprimands him. Rama feels dejected and in order to cheer him Sugriva describes the mountain. In canto xiv we have the monkeys build the causeway. Canto xv describes the mission of Angada as a representative to Ravana. Canto sixteen describes the revels of the Rakshasas. Cantos xvii-xx speaks about Rama`s triumph.

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