The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Appraisal
Book Specification
| Item Code: | IDJ314 |
| Author: | Swami Harshananda |
| Publisher: | Ramakrishna Math |
| Language: | English |
| Edition: | 2016 |
| ISBN: | 9788179070512 |
| Pages: | 89 |
| Cover: | Paperback |
| Other Details | 7.5 inch X 5.0 inch |
| Weight | 80 gm |
Book Description
To The Reader
If you are a scholar looking for a scholastic treat here, you are sure to be disappointed; because this is not a learned treatise written by a scholar for the benefit of other scholars.
If you are a researcher interested in unearthing new facts or discovering new theories, you will find nothing here that can excite you or whet your appetite for a deeper understanding of Ramalogy.
If you are a 'lively as a lark' sort of person, seeking entertainment here, thinking that it contains the exploits of monkeys, bears and hideous demons, you are in for a shock, since this booklet contains more serious things that can make you do some self-introspection.
However, if you are a simple devotee of Rama, believing in the Hindu scriptures as a source of strength and inspiration for life, and the Ramayana of Valmiki as such a scripture, we can assure you that you will not be disappointed.
If this brochure can induce you and inspire you to read Valmiki's original work, we deem that our task is done! -S. H.
| To the Reader | iii | |
| Key to Transliteration and Pronunciation | iv | |
| 1. | Introduction | 1 |
| 2. | Historicity of the Rama Story | 2 |
| 3. | Valmiki and His Work | 4 |
| 4. | Date of the Composition | 7 |
| 5. | The Text | 8 |
| 6. | The Story in Brief | 10 |
| Balakanda | 10 | |
| Ayodhyakanda | 12 | |
| Aranyakanda | 14 | |
| Kiskindhakanda | 17 | |
| Sundarakanda | 17 | |
| Yuddhakanda | 18 | |
| Uttarakanda | 20 | |
| 7. | The Characters of the Ramayana | 23 |
| Rama | 25 | |
| Laksmana | 35 | |
| Bharata | 39 | |
| Dasaratha | 40 | |
| Sugriva | 41 | |
| Hanuman | 43 | |
| Vibhisana | 50 | |
| Ravana | 53 | |
| Kumbhakarna | 56 | |
| Vali | 59 | |
| Sita | 61 | |
| Kausalya | 66 | |
| Sumitra | 68 | |
| Kaikeyi | 68 | |
| Sabari | 71 | |
| Tara | 73 | |
| Mandodari | 74 | |
| 8. | Civilization and Culture as Depicted in the Ramayana | 76 |
| 9. | Ramarajya - the Ideal State | 82 |
| 10. | Literary Grace | 84 |
| 11. | Ramayana Literature | 85 |
| 12. | Ramayana Outside India | 88 |
| 13. | Conclusion | 88 |
