Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Author's comments, May 1, 2001
Ramayana must rank as one of the most loved and revered books of all time. A part of India's ancient Vedas, it is a beautiful story of romance and adventure. It recounts the history of Rama, said be an incarnation of the Godhead, and his divine consort Sita. Filled with magic and mysticism, it entrances the reader and stirs deeply moving emotions. At the same time its profound spiritual messages leave one feeling uplifted and enriched. This is a novelisation of the classic. It contains all the essential narrative of the original Sanskrit poem, but written in a contemporary style. Whilst adhering closely to the original, I have tried to make it as readable as possible, using the techniques of character development and dramatisation to draw the reader into the action. By weaving in other spiritual commentaries on this sacred text, I have also tried to offer the reader the benefit of the wisdom of India's seers and sages. As I am sure you will discover when your read the book, that wisdom is as relevant in today's stressful world as it was thousands of years ago, when it was first written.It was my love for this wonderful book which prompted me to write my adaptation, and I hope I have been able to share that love with others. Whether you enjoy it simply as a great adventure story, or you enter deeply into its spiritual meaning, you will surely find it an engaging read. All in all, I would say that this is as authentic and complete a version as you are likely to find outside of scholarly translations, but it is a lot easier to read. If you enjoy this, then you might like to try my novelisation of the Mahabharata, the other great Indian epic, which is also published by Torchlight.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everyone should read this Ramayana!, December 29, 1999
If you've ever read Ramayana, or if you've never read Ramayana, this is the book you need to read! Written in a contemporary style so that Westerners can relate to it, it tells a captivating story involving political intrigue, true romance, and incredible adventures. Mixed in with all that are the qualities of nobility and purity of character that we all wish we and/or our children could develop. The action scenes in this book sometimes make your hair stand on end; at other times, you find yourself weeping in sympathy with its characters. The author uses his excellent storytelling skills to absorb you completely in this grand tale. Reading this Ramayana is a highly rewarding experience in many ways. And if you find this book un-put-downable, as I did, then be sure to try Krishna Dharma's Mahabharata---another treasurehouse of adventure and spiritual wisdom!
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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Heartbreak of the King, March 23, 2002
Rama is the most perfect of King Dasarath's sons. He is wise and kind, devout, respectful, and a fearsome warrior. In the course of his youthful exploits he has fallen in love with Sita, who he now brings back in triumph to his father's city of Ayodhya. But, on the very day he is to be named Dasarath's heir, treachery takes place. Banished from Ajodhya by the machinations of one of Dasarath's jealous wives, Rama and Sita undertake an unconceivable adventure to rid the world of evil and return to Rama what is rightfully his.And so begins one of the oldest and most spectacular adventures in literary history. Perhaps the oldest Indian epic, 'The Ramayana' is a grand story, a cautionary tale, and a vivid picture of the Vedic culture of one of the world's larger countries. This story, like told in 'The Mahabharata,' is deeply embedded in Indian culture. The tales display many of the key beliefs that have shaped Indian thought for centuries. For a student of the area, searching for common threads, they are required reading. For many this is still a text of religious importance. As Dharma quotes, "This legend is the bestower of longevity, the enhancer of fortune, and the dispeller of sins. Certainly, in addition to these virtues, 'The Ramayana' is a font of creative ideas. For those of us who get bogged down in Western approaches and answers it is an opportunity to see how other cultures have come to deal with questions that are common to all. As such it is a lesson in the ingeniousness of the human mind and the great commonalties of the human spirit. The difference in context and the epic scale can be a source of inspiration as well as outstanding entertainment. This edition was created by Krishna Dharma, a Vaishnava priest and well-known translator of Sanskrit writings, is not so much a word for word translation as it is a detailed retelling. As such its style and rhythm is better adapted to Western tastes than stricter, more academic fare. On the other hand, Krishna Dharma leaves little out, and truly captures the feeling of the original. As such this is a massive accomplishment. The inclusion of various illustrations, both black and white and color enhance its value and impressiveness. Previous to buying this copy my exposure to the legend has been via excerpts, descriptions, and reenactments. These were adequate to their purpose, but reading the story in its proper sequence has added much to my experience.
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