
The Third volume of Devayan covers the remaining five Books of Ramayana, namely the Aranya, Kishkindhya, Sundar, Lanka and Uttar Kandas narrated in an aesthetic, simple language. It differs from the styles of Valmiki, Tulsidas and Kamban in narration. It describes in detail events subsequent to the disappearance of Queen Sita into the mother earth in the Book of Lava (the son of Lord Ram). The fates of Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan the three brothers of Lord Rama are also detailed in this book together with the description about how the sons of Lord Rama - Lava and Kusha - get married and how they grow up to take up their responsibilities.
An interesting episode mentioned is how Kali influenced Rishi Durvasa, feared by everyone for his dreadful anger. He convinced Rishi Durvasa to visit Ayodhya to request the immediate audience of Lord Rama. At the same, Kali himself visited Rama and obtained his promise that under no condition should there be any disturbance in their talks. In case of any disturbance that person would, without fail, be exiled. Lakshman fearing the sage?s wrath forced his way in to inform Lord Ram about the sage?s presence. As Lakshman had disturbed the conversation between Kali and Lord Ram, Lord Rama was forced to banish his beloved brother, resulting in Lakshman?s self-immersion in the river Saryu.
Of great interest and novelty is the conversation between Lord Rama and King Janak. Lord Rama imparts the complete Vedantic knowledge to king Janak. He describes the various paths of yogas ? Raja, Hatha and Bhakti yoga and the ways to obtain complete self-realization. Lord Rama also imparts the knowledge of the Upanishads to King Janak in a very eloquent and understandable manner.
This volume ends with the passing away of Lord Rama, who was mourned by the whole world. After Lord Rama?s demise, Kusha visited Lanka to see for himself the places where his father waged the great war against Ravana and also where his mother, Queen Sita suffered her painful seclusion. At the time of Kusha?s visit to Lanka, the snakes, under the encouragement of Kali, took control of Lanka to rob the precious stones amassed by the Gods, and killed all inhabitants of Lanka except King Vibhishan. He was spared as he had received the boon of immortality. Following Lava?s revenge on all snakes, he himself falls a prey to snakebite and dies. The volume contains many more amazing stories rich in narration, imagery and poetry.