The Ramayana

Attributed to: Valmiki

Written: Unknown

Retold by: Ramesh Menon

Publisher: North Point Press (2004 Edition)

Bought from: Book Depository

Introduction

This, together with The Mahabharata, are the two major Sanskrit epics from ancient India. It is attributed to Valmiki (who pops up a few times himself in the story). It is thought that the original story was composed in the 5th or 4th century BC. Some scholars believe the first and last books were added much later.

The events in The Ramayana cannot be timed in our usual sense. According to the story itself, the events take place during the Tetra Yuga, the second of the 4 yuga (eons) of Hindu Chronology.

What is it about?

The story of the Ramayana (or Rama’s Journey) is a simple one. It tells of the age-old struggle between good v evil, of dharma v adharma. On one side: a noble prince (Rama), a faithful wife (Sita), a devoted brother (Lakshmana), a monkey deity (Hanuman) and an army of magical monkeys and brave bears. On the other side: evil incarnate itself (Ravana) and his demons.

Rama and Sita are expelled by a misguided stepmother. Lakshmana joins them. During their exile, Ravana sees Sita and is entranced. He kidnaps her and takes her to his kingdom of Lanka. Rama and Lakshmana enlists the help of various mythical creatures including Hanuman and wage war on Ravana and his horde.

The climatic battle between Rama’s followers and Ravana’s horde is as exciting as any battle in modern classics such as The Lord of The Rings. While the gods do not participate directly in the battle (as the Greek gods did for example in The Iliad), the combatants do battle with unearthly weapons of mass destruction provided by the gods themselves.

The story explores many themes besides good v evil. It is a study in loyalty - to parents, brothers, brother-in-arms and last but not least to one’s husband and wife. The story also obviously has philosophical and religious significance especially for Hindus. The hero Rama is an incarnation (avatar) of the God Vishnu.

What about the book?

This is not a complete translation. Instead, the publisher calls it a “modern retelling”. An unabridged translation may be too long in any event (the original poem is about 5,000 lines long). Ramesh Menon has written in prose that is descriptive yet accessible to the casual reader. There is a useful glossary at the end of the book.

Finally

Highly recommended. The Ramayana is one of the most-loved and influential story in all South and South-east Asia. I vaguely recall childhood stories and movies about Hanuman from Thailand, Indonesia etc.