( The N in this name is pronounced hard like 'n' in 'turn'. The D is pronounced like 'd' in 'dump'. )
In our radition, Various scriptures are divided into different parts . The nomenclature used to describe the parts varies. Usually a lengthy book is divided into some parts. In Samskritham literature, some classical books have their own nomenclature of such divisions. Kaanda is one such name of divisions of a book. In Raamaayanam, its parts are named as Kaandas and their chapters are named as Sargas. Note that some Vedas are divided into Kaandas too.
For example, The Rigveeda is divided into Mandalas or Ashtakas which are sub-divided into Anuvaakas or Vargas and so on. The Shukla Yajurveda is divided into Adhyaayas which are sub-divided into Anuvaakas and Khandikas. The Krishna Yajurveda is divided into Kaandas with further sub-division into Anuvaakas and Khandikas.
Many Puraanams were divided into Khandas with sub-division of Adhyaayas. some Puraanams like Bhaagavatham were divided into Skandhas. The Mahaabhaaratham was divided into Parvas.
Similarly, the Raamaayanam was divided into seven parts named Kaandas. Each Kaanda has its own name and is divided into some chapters named Sargas. Each Sarga consists of some Shlokas varying in number, from as few as sixteen to as many as two hundred. As a matter of guidance, a table showing names of all the Kaandas and the number of their Sargas and shlokas is given hereunder.
Baala-Kaanda is also named Aadi-Kaanda and Yuddha -Kaanda is also named Lankaa-Kaanda.
Observe that the name of a Kaanda is indicative either of the location or incidents or stage of life . But, Sundara-Kaanda is an exception. The name Sundara (=graceful or beatiful) has nothing to do with the incidents described in that Kaanda or their locations . Some scholars, of course, say that Sundara indicates Hanumaan!
Serial Number Name of the Book Story covered by the book Number of Sargas Number of Shlokas 1 Baala or Aadi Kaanda Upto the marriage of Raama 77 2 276 2 Ayodhya Kaanda Upto Raama's entering the Dandaka forest 119 4 279 3 Aranya or Aaranya Kaanda Upto Raama's reaching the Pampa lake 75 2 479 4 Kishkindha Kaanda Upto the Vaanaras' reaching the Southern sea 67 2 486 5 Sundara Kaanda Upto Hanumaan's return from Lanka 68 2 832 6 Yuddha or Lanka Kaanda Upto Raama's coronation 131 5 798 7 Uththara Kaanda Upto Raama's Renunciation 111 3 543 Total 648 23 693 "We bow to the cuckoo of Vaalmeeki that rests on the branch of poetry and gives out the sweet cooing of the beatiful sounds of "Raama" , "Raama" for our pleasure. "
DEDICATED TO MY LATE MOTHER Smt JOGAMMA