Title – Many Ramayanas Many Lessons
Author- Anand Neelakantan
Genre- Mythology
As the title suggests, the book explores various adaptations of the epic Ramayana. Like the Kamba Ramayanam, Jain version, Srilankan, Philipino, Budhist Ramayanam…
Along with Valmiki ‘s version, every Kaandam is accompanied by variations in other versions.
From Dasaratha slaying Shravan Kumar, to the birth of Shanta, to Ravana’s slaying, to Uttara Ramayana, the whole of Ramayana has been encompassed in the book, to the minutest detail. At the end of every chapter, the variations have been mentioned.
I particularly enjoyed how Sita Devi’s Agnipariksha has been discussed and debated. There is a possibility that many such incidents which point to the few instances patriarchy in Ramayana got added in the medieval era when gender bias gradually started taking form in India. But some other adaptations do not have Agnipariksha at all.
Hanuman torching Lanka being Adharma, or Rama slaying Bali being wrong, all indicate that SriRam was human after all, who could err. Perhaps that’s how Valmiki perceived this Avatara of Vishnu. Then, which adaptation began glorifying Rama as God?
The book keeps you engaged with healthy, unbiased conversations about many factors that often arouse questions in our minds regarding Sita’s treatment at the hands of Rama and Ravana. Was Sita indeed Ravana’s daughter, well some folklore says so. And there’s evidence…
The language is simple and soothing. It’s so well researched, looks like there have been changes in the story all the time, as generations progressed.
I would look forward to reading the book everyday, it’s magical how Ramayana calms your soul, when narrated effectively. And Anand Neelakantan Sir has done a great job with his work. Hindu mythology is indeed very vast and he delves deep into its secrets, combining different facets of one great epic.
Definitely worth a Read.
My rating: 4/5
