Book review
Ramayana, the earliest epic poem in Sankrit, is the oldest work of genuine poetry and in that sense its author, the sage Valmiki is known as the ‘Adi Kavi’ or pristine poet. Ramayana, the earliest epic poem in Sankrit, is the oldest work of genuine poetry and in that sense its author, the sage Valmiki is known as the ‘Adi Kavi’ or pristine poet. It is said that the poem gushed out of the compassionate heart of Valmiki as he witnessed the sorrow of a female ‘Krauncha’ bird when its mate was killed by the merciless arrow of a hunter. It was a ‘spontaneous overflow of powerful emotions’ and it went on to create a powerful epic which has continued to inspire the soul of India for the past 2000 years.Ramayana is so much an integral part of our heritage that even out apparent diversities are reflected in the slightly differing versions to be found n the different languages. The Ramayanas of Kamban, Tulsidas, Kirtivas or Tunchan, are all but variations of on the same theme. This lofty theme embodies in the character of Rama and Sita, the highest ideals of ‘man’ and ‘woman’. The idea that God fulfils Himself in the best of men is conveyed by the life of Rama and that is the story of Ramayana.The story, narrated in the following pages, is based on Ramcharit-Manas of Tulsidas.