Ramayana Books

SPECIFICATION :

• Publisher: Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan
• By : Ajai Kumar Chhawchharia
• Cover : Hardcover
• Language : English
• Edition : 2015
• Pages : 968
• Weight : 2 Kg
• ISBN-10 : 9383721766
• ISBN-13 : 978-9383721764
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00URQCALY

DESCRIPTION:

Present book is a rare and unique compendium on the theme of Lord Ram who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Lord of creation. It would cater to lovers of literature as well as devotees of Lord Ram because it brings under a single roof all major works of Goswami Tulsidas such as Ram Charit Manas, Geetawali, Kavitawali, Dohawali, Barvai Ramayan and Vinai Patrika, as well as Lord Ram's Upanishad Known as Ram Uttar Tapini Upanishad, the Padma Puran and Anand Ramayan which have wonderful hymns dedicated to the Lord.

It has three sections section 1 presents the life, time and deeds of Lord Ram sections 2 has the hymns dedicated to the Lord based on Tulsidas' books and section 3 has hymns from the Upanishads pertaining to Lord Ram, highlighting his Divinity.

About the Author

Ajai kumar Chhawchharia born on 8th August, 1955 in Burdwan district of west Bengal, is a humble and unpretentious bachelor, who has dedicated his entire life to the service of Lord Ram. At present he is residing in the holy pilgrim city of Ayodhya since 1985.

Adhbut Ramayan authored by sage Valmiki, who is famous for his classic epic ‘Ramayan’. Describes a highly strange, mysterious and fantastic version of the epic story of Lord Ram, the legendary king emperor of Ayoydhya and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the supreme Lord in creation. It reveals many hitherto little known events in the life of Lord Ram and his divine consort Sita which Valmiki knew but desisted from incorporating them in his earlier epic. He wrote this classic work ti fill that gap and put the record straight.

This classic book can be broadly divided into two parts. The first (canto 1-16) elaborately describes some mysterious and strange circumstances pertaining to the birth of Lord Ram and Sita; it also contains profound Vedanta philosophies when Sri Ram preaches Hanuman about them. the second part (canto 17-27) presents the story of Sri Ram’s campaign against the thousand headed demon king Ravana of Pushkar who was the elder brother of the ten headed Ravana of Lanka, and much stronger and powerful than latter. In this war, Sita assumed the form of mahakali, the dar-skinned Goddess worshipped as Shakti, to slay this Ravana and his demon force. The demon army has been described in great detail.

The climax of the book and the aspect which makes it so unique and holy is when lord Rama prays to the cosmic Goddess or Shakti uning 1008 divine names or mantras which describe and enumerate the various glories virtues and attributes of the magnificent Shakti of Mother Nature. This is the only classic Composition where the Shakti has been worshipped using there profound mantras. This volume describes the text in great detail, incorporating commentary explanatory & relevant notes when requi

"Compared to the western epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata are more complete story of Hindu, religious, cultural and social imagination and more exact narration of evolutionary rise of man. In this book, William Buck has succeeded better than anyone else in conveying the spirit of the
original.

The task of presenting a faithful image of the original text, its metaphysical nuances as well as its chronological sequence the world`s largest epic in a small book is a stupendous task.

Mainly as a narration, the version of William Buck will serve as an interesting and complete tale to the English speaking reader. Valmiki was called the Adikavi or ""first poet"" of Sanskrit literature and some of his remarkable talent shines forth in the English rendering. The reader will find pleasure in reading it aloud to himself or the others.

Review:

""To say the Ramayana is one of the great epics of India may be a misleading understatement, for it is of far greater importance to India than the Greek epics are to Western thought... Buck has succeeded better than anyone else in conveying the spirit of the original."" - Choice

""For the purpose of the general reader, the book is flawless: a marvellous tale, told with all the elan of Tolkien, charmingly but unobtrusively illustrated, and with an introduction by a prominent Sanskritist."" - Pacific Affairs

""The Ramayana is simply a fascinating story of courtly intrigue, fierce battles, and sacrifice on an heroic scale... Buck has done a real service in making available to the English-speaking world this imcomparable Indian epic."" - The Virginia Quarterly Review

""The task of presenting a faithful image of the original, though so greatly reduced in size, is here on the whole fulfilled to a truly remarkable degree... To call it inspired is no overstatement."" - The Asian Student

""This is divine storytelling at its finest. When he finished his manuscripts, William Buck wrote, 'Based on the words of ancient songs, I have written books. I tried to make them interesting to read. I don't think you will find many other books like them.' He was absolutely correct."" - Bo Lozoff

""This cannot be called a literal translation of the epic, but a retelling of it in the form of a story. And what a retelling! The language is simple and poetic and will delight both the grown up and the young alike."" - Swami Satyamayananda, Prabuddha Bharata Vol.108, May 2003

""The work is not only a mere translation but stands as a literary work of great significance. The author has full command over the language of his expression and he has accomplished the tough task of rendering it into English with a commendable effort."" - Prof. Ravinder Kaur, Journal of Religions Studies Vol.31, No.122, Spring-Autumn 2000
"

"The Oracle of Rama, is perhaps the greatest Oracle of India, as well as one of the simplest and easiest to use. Like the I Ching, it consists of various verses that one can get to answer one's questions. While the I Ching uses the symbolism of the world of Nature for providing its forecasts. The Oracle of Rama uses the symbolism of Lord Rama, a Divine incarnation, and the Yoga of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga) as its symbolism. It condenses the laws of karma into the story of Rama and his noble deeds. Rama's story, the Ramayana, is one of the great classics of world literature. The importance of The Oracle of Rama is that Rama, its central presiding symbol, is a figure of heroic proportions--a perfect man. His life is an example of perfect action under every difficulty and misfortune, overcoming all the forces of evil and ignorance. As such, his Oracle is very safe and reliable, and provides the most wholesome and trustworthy guidance.

Review:

""The Oracle of Rama uses the insights of Tulsidas, one of the greatest seers of the Vedic tradition, to unlock the secrets of the realm of unmanifest intelligence and open up for us all the creative potentials of the universe. The Oracle shows us how we can make karmically appropriate choices so that we can live a life of joy and fulfilment on all levels of our being. Dr. Frawley offers us a beautiful English version of this classic for our everyday use."" - Deepak Chopra, MD, Author of the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success."

"SHRI RAMACHARITAMANASA of Tulasidasa is the single most popular book of the Hindus, which, for over four centuries, has greatly appealed equally to the rich and the poor, the educated and the illiterate, the old and the young, and the scholar and the common man.

Its popularity is by no means limited to India, nor are the Hindus its only readers. The message of the RAMACHARITAMANASA is all the more relevant today as it reiterates man’s faith in the soundness of moral order that sustain the world. Dark and evil forces may, and will, on occasions, threaten to disrupt that order but divine intervention will ultimately chasten and subdue those forces.

Keeping in mind people’s ever-increasing quest for the epic, this unique edition of the RAMACHARITAMANASA with verse to verse Hindi and English translation along with Tulasidasa’s original text has been prepared. The translation rendered by an accomplished scholar maintains the intrinsic richness of the original. Special care has been taken for making it useful to the Indian brethren living abroad to whom the dialect of Tulasidasa’s original may be somewhat incomprehensible. There has been a long-standing demand from the vast Indian community settled abroad for a standard and authentic edition of the RAMACHARITAMANASA. The present edition has been designed to meet their requirement by using the most modern printing and processing techniques to make it a work of international standard.

A special feature of this edition is the inclusion of Lavakushakanda, Shri Hanumanchalisa and Shri Ramashalaka Prashnavali. The mode of its recitation is given as a separate appendix. Adding to its uniqueness is the important section containing Indian, and European and American Scholar’s criticisms on Tulasidasa’s RAMACHARITAMANASA . A glossary of important proper nouns and epithets is given at the end.

Dr. R.C. Prasad translated SHRI RAMACHARITAMANASA into simple and lucid English and Hindi. He was a University Professor of English in Patna University where he taught for about three decades. He was an eminent author, translator and editor. He had a good number of books to his credit.

Review:

""Now we have an excellent rendering of the original into simple Hindi and English with its two disputed chapter in the appendices along with opinions of scholars both Indian and European"" - Kushwant Singh, The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, December 10 , 198"

A masterly translation of the Tamil version of Ramayana The epic story of Rama, which is part of the Indian collective consciousness, has been retold in many regional languages. Pre-eminent among the many vernacular retellings of the Ramayana is the twelfth-century Tamil version by Kamban. The son of a temple drummer, Kamban is reputed to have had an impressive mastery of Tamil and Sanskrit classics. Fascinated by the lore of Ramayana, he immersed himself totally in it. Though Kamban acknowledges his indebtedness to the Sanskrit version of the Ramayana by Valmiki, his is an independent work, enriched by various religious, philosophical and literary influences. The Kamba Ramayana differs from Valmiki’s in significant ways. Though cast in the heroic mould of a Purushotama or ‘the best among men’, Valmiki’s Rama is still a man. Kamban, on the other hand, never allows the reader to forget the godhood of Rama. His Ravana too, though flawed, is a heroic figure. While Valmiki’s diction is sparse and direct, Kamban’s exuberant prose sparkles with wit and inventiveness. Translated into English by the late P.S. Sundaram, this edition has been abridged and edited by his long-time friend N.S. Jagannathan. Though pared down from the original six volumes to a single one, this translation retains the magic and poetry of the original.

Born on October 4, 1916, at Bangalore and educated in that city, the author had the privilege of studying under the distinguished Professor B. M. Srikantiah, Professor and Head of the English Department, Central College, Bangalore, and top litterateur in modern Kannada. She developed early in life an avid taste for English literature and particularly love for Shakespeare’s plays.

In 1937, she married Dr. V. S. Subramaniam, the renowned E.N.T. Surgeon of Madras.

Preoccupation with family affairs did not come in the way of her literary pursuit. She wrote a series of “Imaginary Conversations” on the modern of Lando’s for the Triveni under the pen-name “Ketaki.”

Smt. Kamala Subramaniam’s condensations of the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam, both Bhavan’s publications, have won wide acclaim and with her Ramayana she successfully concludes her magnificent triad on the Epics and Puranas of India this latest offering marks a distinct landmark in her great voyage of self-discovery on which she set off long years ago.

The Epics and Puranas epitomize our culture. They are suffused with spiritual fervour, their heroes and heroines are exemplars of nobility, sublimity, valour, heroism, steadfastness and chivalry. And anyone reading them will find himself a little better, a little nobler. They have moulded our outlook, our way of life from times immemorial.

It is this priceless treasure of the spirit Smt. Kamala Subramaniam has tried to recapture for the benefit of the younger generation who, alas are deprived of this spiritual inspiration and nourishment.

A master story-teller, Smt. Kamala Subramaniam has retold the story of the “Perfect” man – the ideal man of the conception of the ageless Valmiki – lucidly, simply, elegantly.

If her Mahabharata established her as a born narrator and in her Srimad Bhagavatam she has soared to ecstatic devotional heights, in her Ramayana she has excelled herself in retelling the story of Sri Ramachandra – a story so soul-stirring, so ennobling, so elevating. Each one of the characters stands out for the quality predominant in him/her, but the focal point is the intensely humane hero, the shining symbol of dharma, Rama.

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, popularly known as "Rajaji" or "C.R" was a great patriot, astute politician, incisive thinker, great visionary and one of the greatest statesmen of all time. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, hailed as conscious- keeper of the Mahatma. As an ardent freedom-fighter, as Chief Minister of Madras, as Governor of West Bengal, as Home Minister of India and as the first Indian Governor-General of India he rendered yeoman service to the nation and left an indelible impress on our contemporary life.

Rajaji was closely associated with Kulapati Munshiji and he was among the distinguished founder-members of the Bhavan. The Bhavan had the privilege of publishing 18 books (see page ii) by him so far, the copyright of which he gifted to the Bhavan.

All of Rajaji's works, especially of Marcus Aurelius, the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads are popular. In Mahabharata, he has displayed his inimitable flair for story-telling and applying the moral of stories to the needs of modern times. In the present book Ramayana, Rajaji captures for us the pathos and beauty of Valmiki's magic in an inimitable manner. Written in homely style, the work is striking in its originality and beauty of expression. A fitting successor to Mahabharata.

Rajaji passed away in 1972 at the age of 94.

This book has identified ''the good of all'' as the single most important criterion of excellence of any socio-spiritual approach to life's problems-particularly in the context of the conflict-ridden society of today. The comprehensive coverage of this criterion, as presented in this study, has strong links with (like Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati) three life-sustaining streams of thought. The first stream refers to the lokasamgraha-message of the Gita which has been formulated in that scripture from ten different but inter-connected angles. The second stream refers to the jagmangal-message of the Manas which is simpler to grasp and which can also be explained from the same ten angles as are applicable to the Gita. The third stream refers to the repeated expressions of the concern for ''the good of all'' which began with the Vedas and which continued as an integral part of the Indian tradition--a steady source which strengthened the calls of the Gita and Manas also. By putting all these ideas together and by maintaining the interest of the readers, this book has opened the door to a new field of study and research, viz. the Indian contribution to the theory and practice of ''the good of all.''

The monkey-god Hanuman, one of contemporary Hinduism's most popular deities, has a long history in Indian art and literature. This study traces Hanuman's gradual evolution from his role as helper and messenger of Rama in the Valmiki Ramayana in the 3rd century B.C.E. to his more dominant function in Tulasi Dasa's Ramacaritamanasa, written circa 1575 C.E. The study begins with a concentrated overview of Hanuman's non-Aryan origins and later associations. It then illustrates and elucidated the growth of his character from Valmiki to Tulasi Dasa through several intermediary stages. The greater part of the book comprises a careful scene-by-scene comparative textual analysis of the Sanskrit and the Avadhi versions of the Rama legend which has been so immensely influential in Hindu culture. In the course of time, Hanuman changes from a perfect messenger to the ideal devotee who becomes an embodiment of his master in his complete surrender to Raghupati.

Though the scholars in the country have tried to trace the genesis of the Ramayana from the Vedic and post-Vedic literature, with the fragments of the story of Rama found scattered in these texts, but the most important job in the composition of the story of Rama was done by the sage Valmiki, who happened to be the foremost of the Indian Sanskrit poets. He composed the work on the basis of the brief of Rama's story provided to him by the sage Narada, as well as the fragments of the story collected by him with the extensive travelling of the country which immensely added to its popularity with the masses. After the sage Valmiki, several subsequent poets brought out Ramayana texts in Sanskrit as well as in the regional languages. The work composed by Madhava Kandali in Assamese language happens to be one of the earliest works of medieval period, having been composed in the fourteenth century AD. The Ramayana of Krttivasa was composed in the fifteenth century, while the Ramacaritamanasa by Tulasidasa in the sixteenth century AD. The work of Madhava Kandali was composed on the basis of the Valmiki Ramayana, though some variations are noticed here and there. The present work is an English translation of the Madhava Kandali Ramayana in Assamese. Printed Pages: 600.

The book contains the role of the Ramacaritamanasa in the lives of Hindi-speaking indentured labourers and their progeny in South Africa; and their perceptions of Sri Rama and the Ramacaritamanasa. The South African Hindus of Hindi-speaking origin cherish the Ramacaritamanasa as scripture, and delve deep into the lake of Sri Rama's Acts to gain solace and guidance. Its role as an agent of religio-cultural continuity amonst Hindi-speaking Hindus clearly indicates its importance in the years to come.

The Ramayana of Valmiki is the first and the most ancient epic of India. If seers of the past wished that it should live as long as hills and dales' it is because the epic, on the main, concerns with Man and his life in this world. Its emphasis is on Dharma or righteousness in its varied forms as bind man-to-man in day-to-day social relationships. It contains precepts for the regulation of our conduct in all actions and conditions. It makes us alive to what we owe to others-to our parents, wife and children, to our friends, to mankind and to our country at large. It also teaches us to love and practice virtues and how, that way, the good ultimately becomes victorious over evil and peace reigns on earth. This study is calculated to show to the present generation how in this age of seething doubts we may still draw inspiration from that ancient epic and how most of the problems that are baffling modern society can be solved by understanding and following the precepts held out by it. It also shows how the western ethics compare with the ancient ethical notion of the Ramayana. Printed Pages: 229.

The world is the stage on which the Lord played the part of Rama as the ideal son, brother, husband, step-son, and king. The story of Rama and Sita is verily the story of humanity. Sita, Rama's devoted consort, enacted the role of the dutiful, chaste wife who cared for nothing but her beloved Rama. Lakshmana was the perfect brother, and Bharata and Shatrughna were exemplary in their devotion to their step-brother, Rama.

The next main character, Hanuman, is the embodiment of a surrendered devotee the pinnacle of Bhakti Yoga. The ten-headed Ravana, who plays the antagonistic role, symbolizes our ten senses (5 senses of knowledge and 5 senses of action). During the war, Rama beheads Ravana, which is characteristic of a yogi conquering the senses.

The characters in the Ramayana relate to our own human drama. The Ramayana teaches us a way of life. It shows how to have pure love among family members and toward society and gives us a
method to control the ten senses and the mind for inner peace and spiritual bliss.

Singing the Lordís name on the gross plane can bring us to the transcendental level where sound manifests as pure energy. The name and form disintegrate in Pure Consciousness and ultimate peace is experienced. Repetition of the Lord's name in the form of japa or kirtan will bring the transcendental, blissful experience attained by the great devotees and saints like Bhakta Mira
Bai, Tukaram, and in the present time, Sri Sant Keshavadas, Santji has followed the tradition of our great saints and devotees of the past and has now brought the story of the Ramayana for 20th century man.

The Ramayana or the story of Rama, has been dominating the Indian religious scene from the time immemorial. Before composition of the work of poetic excellence to be the pioneer of the same, the story was available in fragments in different parts of the country. Though the sage Valmiki was inspired by the sage Narada for composing the Ramayana but Valmiki had to collect several fragments of the story from various regions of the country. Once the story was composed in poetic form, there was a great boost in the popularity of the theme and soon there arose the urge with the people to listen or to recite the Ramayanas in the languages they spoke. As a result of this, several Ramayana in the regional languages were brought out from time to time in the past particularly in the medieval period. The Giridhara Ramayana in Gujarati comes under such types of works, which was composed by Giridhara, a great son of soil, in Gujarati language. The most astonishing aspect of this work has been that it provides occasionally the study of the selected events as discussed in other works, which highlights its unique nature. The English version of the text now produced, will securely interest the readers in country and abroad. Printed Pages: 517.