Araṇya-Kāṇḍa, or The Forest Episode, is the third book of the epic poem Ramayana. It is also found in the Rāmcaritmānas. It follows the legend of Rama through his fourteen-year exile in the forest, joined by his wife and his brother. Rama overcomes challenges and demons by upholding standards of behavior. Nearing the end of his exile, Rama's wife is kidnapped, and he learns of what happened. The story continues in the next book, Kiśkindhā Kāṇḍ.