The stories
Vasishtha teaches Rama mostly by telling stories, and the people inside those stories tell more. These are the named narratives, in the order they come in the text, each with the chapters it actually occupies.
Vishvamitra tells Rama the story of Shuka, son of Vyasa, to show him that his own mind needs only a little clearing.
Book 3 · Utpatti · chapters 15–59The Story of Queen LilaFearing her husband's death, Lila performs austerities to Sarasvati and wins a boon that his life-force will never leave their inner chamber, even…
Book 3 · Utpatti · chapters 68–83The Story of Karkati the DemonessKarkati, a huge, terrifying demoness living on the Himalayas who cannot satisfy her hunger to devour all beings.
Book 3 · Utpatti · chapters 104–121The Story of King LavanaAt the court of the righteous king Lavana, a magician called Shambarika appears, sent by Indra to trouble a king who is performing the Rajasuya…
Book 4 · Sthiti · chapters 5–16The Story of Bhrigu and ShukraWhile the sage Bhrigu performs deep austerities on Mount Mandara, his son Shukra sits beside him in meditation.
Book 4 · Sthiti · chapters 25–30The Story of Dama, Vyala and KataShambara, a demon king of Patala whose army the gods keep destroying whenever he leaves it unguarded.
Book 5 · Upaśama · chapters 8–12The Story of King Janaka's AwakeningJanaka, the wise and prosperous king of Videha.
Book 5 · Upaśama · chapters 22–29The Story of BaliBali, son of Virochana, ruled the three worlds as king of the demons for ages, effortlessly conquering all realms.
Book 5 · Upaśama · chapters 30–43The Story of PrahladaHiranyakashipu had conquered the gods and ruled the three worlds with overwhelming pride, scorching the worlds with his power while the gods,…
Book 5 · Upaśama · chapters 44–49The Story of GadhiGadhi, a learned, detached Brahmin of Kosala who goes to the forest and immerses himself in a lake to perform penance.
Book 5 · Upaśama · chapters 51–55The Story of UddalakaUddalaka is introduced as a quiet, intelligent young ascetic who, troubled by worldly sorrow, longs for a state beyond bondage and rebirth.
Book 5 · Upaśama · chapters 82–89The Story of Sage VitahavyaVitahavya, who withdrew into a cave in the Vindhya mountains, mastered his restless senses through inquiry, and sat in unbroken meditation.
Book 6 · Nirvāṇa I · chapters 14–28The Story of Bhushunda the CrowCurious, Vasishtha travels to Mount Meru and finds Bhushunda in his nest in a wish-fulfilling tree on the mountain's peak.
Book 6 · Nirvāṇa I · chapters 52–58The Story of Krishna's Teaching to ArjunaTo relieve the earth's burden, Hari will take two bodies: Vasudeva's son Krishna, and the Pandava Arjuna, wielder of the Gandiva bow.
Book 6 · Nirvāṇa I · chapters 62–64The Story of the Hundred RudrasIn a dream he lived on as a Brahmin, then a king, then the king's queen, who in turn dreamed herself a doe, then a bee, then an elephant crushed and…
Book 6 · Nirvāṇa I · chapters 70–73The Story of the Vetala's QuestionsVasishtha, teaching Rama about inquiry and liberation, recalls a story about questions once asked by a Vetala.
Book 6 · Nirvāṇa I · chapters 74–76The Story of BhagirathaRama asks Vasishtha how King Bhagiratha brought the Ganga down to earth through the power of his mind.
Book 6 · Nirvāṇa I · chapters 77–110The Story of Shikhidhvaja and ChudalaThe couple rule happily for years, and both practise inner reflection, but Chudala alone reaches self-realization, becoming able to move through the…
Book 7 · Nirvāṇa II · chapters 180–185The Story of Kundadanta and the Eight BrothersRama tells Vasishtha of once meeting a wandering Brahmin, Kundadanta, who told this story.