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The triumph of wit over might, of brain over brawn, is a recurring theme in literature. Sometimes, as in the fable of David and Goliath, the gigantic Goliath is defeated with a sling and stone. But more often, like with Tenali Raman, it is done with nimble wit.

Tenali Raman was Telugu poet and jester at the court of King Krisnadevaraya of Vijayanagara. He was renowned as the “Birbal of the South” and many stories that have passed into folklore are attributed to him. Some of these are obviously invented to show his ready wit, like the one about his encounter with Goddess Kali.

This story describes the series of events that first bring the poor young lad Ramalingam of Tenali to the court of King Krishnadevaraya.

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Specification:

• Publisher : Sri Ramanasramam
  
• by : T. M. P. Mahadevan
  
• Cover : Paperback
  
• Language : English
  
• Edition : 1999
  
• Pages : 182
  
• Weight : 540gm.
  
• Size : 5.5 x 8.5 inches
  
• ISBN-10: 8188018279
  
• ISBN-13: 978-8188018277

Description:

Taking cue from the Ulladu Narpadu and its supplement written by Ramana Maharshi, this book reflects on the sage’s philosophy of existence. It is considered as the quintessential scripture of Ramana Maharshi.

"Under whatever name we worship It,It leads us on to knowledge of the nameless,formless Absolute.
Yet to see one's Self in the Absolute,to subside into it and be one with it,this is the true knowledge of the truth."

This is a typical translation by the Author of the Tamil original verse,Ulladu narpadu (Forty Verses of Existence) authored by Sri Ramana Maharshi.Sri Ramana hardly contributed any writings and probably this is the only major work.His Philosophy and Spirituality were more expounded by clearing the doubts of devotees by way of Questions and Answers.

About the Author

Dr.T.M.P.Mahadevan was Director,Centre of Advanced Study in Philosophy University of Madras.Tasmilnadu.South India.He has authored many books focussed mainly on exposition of Indian Scriptures and Eastern Philosophy.

Specification:

• Publisher : Sri Ramanasramam
  
• by : Arthur Osborne
  
• Cover : Paperback
  
• Language : English
  
• Edition : 2002
  
• Pages : 253
  
• Weight : 510gm.
  
• Size : 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
  
• ISBN-10: 8188018112
  
• ISBN-13: 978-8188018116

Description:

It is an account of the life and teaching of Sri Ramana Maharshi, which has a special relevance to our age with its dominant mood of wistful reluctant skepticism as Dr S. Radhakrishnan observes.  It also outlines Hinduism based on the Indian scriptures, which is essentially spiritualSri Ramana Gita without ceasing to be rational and ethical.

The author has packed into this small volume all of the essential information relating to the teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi(1879-1950),the great Indian sage. The life of Sri Ramana Mahrshi fills us us with wonder.As a teenager,hardly seventeen,he realised the self through a spontaneous act of Self-enquiry without any conscious effort on his part,or any trainining imparted by a teacher. He left his home in 1896,came to Arunachala (Tiruvannamalai)where he lived as an all-renouncing sage,in a state of continuous self-absorption for a period of fifty four years until his mahanirvana in 1950. The instructions given by Sri Raman to his early devotees are all portrayed by the author.They have a lasting value.Also included are Paul Brunton's experiences. Sri Maharshi's message is that self-knowledge is not something to be acquired afresh.It is only becoming aware of one's own natural state of Pure Being,through self-enquiry. The spirit of this simple but profound message has been captured by the author in his presentation.

About the Author

Arthur Osborne(1906-70) was an ardent devotee of Sri Ramana Maharshi and particularly well known as the Founder Editor of the Mountain Path, the spiritual journal of Sri Ramanasramam. An Oxford scholar, he was on the faculty of Chulaongkon University in Bangkok, Siam, before he came to India in 1945 and had his darshan of Maharshi.
He is the Editor of The collected works of Ramana Maharshi and Author of Teachings of Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi in His Own Words and other works.

Specification:

• Publisher : Indica Books
• By :  John Grimes
• Cover : Hardcover
• Edition : July 1, 2010
• Pages : 320
• Weight : 600 gm.
• Size : 8.7 x 5.5 x 1 inche
• Language : English
• ISBN-13 : 978-8186569955
• ISBN-10 : 8186569952
• Product Code : BK14217

Description:

Ramana has often been described as “an incarnation of Advaita”. The description is an intriguing philosophical oxymoron as the thunderous truth of Advaita boldly declares that no one has ever been born, lived, or died, and yet it is, without doubt, an astonishingly powerful image in conveying the profound affinity that exists between the teachings of Advaita and Ramana. As one passes the philosophically relevant portions of Ramana’s life and teachings through the lens of Advaita, they will be seen to be in perfect accordance with the essence of Advaita’s philosophical teachings. What is all the more astonishing is that Ramana’s teachings emerged spontaneously as the fruit of his sudden Great Awakening and only subsequently, almost by accident, did he learn of the ancient Upanishadic and Advaitic teachings. This book is an attempt to view, to see (have darshan) the life and teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharsi through the lens of the philosophical system (darshana) known as Advaita Vedanta. Not only does the word darshan mean “being in the presence” of a sage or deity, but it is also the nearest equivalent Sanskrit word for “philosophy”. Darshana, from the Sanskrit root drsh meaning “to see” implies not only vision (which includes insight, intuition, and vision of the truth), but also the instrument of vision (such as viewpoint, world-view, doctrine, philosophical system).

About Author:

John Grimes received his B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Indian Philosophy from the University of Madras. He has taught at universities in the United States, Canada, Singapore and India. His book publications include: The Vivekacudamani: Sankara’s Crown Jewel of Discrimination; A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy; Ganapati: Song of the Self; Problems and Perspectives in Religious Discourse: Advaita Vedanta Implications; Sapta Vidha Anupapatti: The Seven Great Untenables; Sankara and Heidegger: Being, Truth, Freedom; and The Naiskarmyasiddhi of Suresvara. He currently spends his time writing and travelling between California and Chennai.

Ramanuja (1017-1137), the great vaishnava saint-philosopher, upheld bhakti (loving surrender to God) as the sole path to the realization of God. His school of philosophy is known as Vishishta-Advaita (qualified monism and his followers, the Srivaishnavas.

He wrote commentaries on the Brahmasutras, the Upanishads and the Bhagwad Gita. It was his view that these three philosophical texts proclaim bhakti as the chief means of realizing God.

In is life and teachings, Ramanuja upheld that all humans are born equal and that caste or social status has no role in determining one’s relationship with God. He accepted Kanchi Purna, who was not Brahmin, as his guru. One of his most worthy disciples, Dhanurdasa, was non-Brahmin form a lower caste. For Ramanuja, a Vaisnava (man of God) is worthy of respect; But be defined as true Vaishnava only one who has abundant love for God.

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.

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.

SPECIFICATION:

Publisher :  Maple Kids
Cover : Paperback
Language : English 
Pages : 152 pages
Weight : 180 Gram
Size : ‎ 14 x 2 x 22 cm
ISBN-10 : 9390292677
ISBN-13 : 978-9390292677

Culled from Devipurana by sage Veda Vyasa, this epic of Lord Rama brings alive the greatness of the divine cosmic goddess known as Durga who was actually responsible for the slaying of the 10-headed demon king Ravana of Lanka by Lord Rama. It established and lays down the foundation for goddess worship as well as of the well known and popular festival of Dusahara. In India which is observed during the auspicious nine- nights called the Navaratra during which Goddess During is worshipped throughout the country.

This Ramayana describes in detail how Goddess is to be worshipped during this period, besides enumerating the sacred hymns dedicated to her and used by the eternal Vedas, Brahma the creator, visnu the sustainer, Siva the concluder, and even by Lord R. ma himself to pray to the great cosmic Goddess and pay obeisance to her. A priceless gem of ancient Indian heritage, culture and tradition, this Ramayana glorifies the great cosmic ‘Sakti’ aspect of creation which is practiced in India even today. The book also has, in a separate appendix, the hymn known as ‘Rama Kavaca’, literally meaning the impregnable shield or amour that protects the devotee if he invokes Lord Rama with these verses. The make readable for those not knowing the language by their transliteration in English, and the main text in English has diacritical marks to authenticate the pronunciation of Sanskrit words. This makes these volumes a veritable for the English reader.

"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 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.

SPECIFICATION:

Publisher :  B Jain Publishers Pvt Ltd
Cover : Hardcover
Language : English
Pages : 192 pages
Weight : 650 Gram 
Size : ‎  24.7 x 15.9 x 2.7 cm
ISBN-10 : 8131937020
ISBN-13 : 978-8131937020

DESCRIPTION:

Ramayana is the most important epic of ancient India. It is an account of the life of Rama and his family. On the command of his father, Rama went to exile for fourteen years with his spouse, Sita, and younger brother, Lakshamana. In the forest, Sita was abducted by demon king Ravana. A fierce battle ensued between them.