Rāmāyaṇa-Bālakāṇḍa

This is a Bālakāṇḍa (first chapter) text of the Rāmāyaṇa by Vālmīki. The manuscript refers to the text as Ārṣarāmāyaṇa, a title commonly used for the Yogavāsiṣṭha-Rāmāyaṇa; however, the same title is also used for the Rāmāyaṇa by Vālmīki. It contains the complete Bālakāṇḍa. In the colophon, the scribe mentions that it includes up to 77 sargas (sub-chapters) (f. 72b). It appears that the scribe of this manuscript is the same person who wrote Item 2296, as the handwriting in both manuscripts is similar. Based on this, it is possible that Item 2269 was also written at the same time as the present manuscript (dated Śaka 1717/ 1795 CE). This Ms. is written in 13–16 lines per folio. Cover and back page both contain title enclosed in red horizontal and vertical margins forming rectangles. Title also present in the colophon (f. 72b). There are double red vertical margins on each side of the folio. Mistakes are blacked out. Some corrections and additions in the margins.