Author: Ram Verma
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): Vandana Sehgal
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 2010
Language: Bi-Lingual
Pages: 327
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788129116161
Description
Millions of people in India and elsewhere believe that Rama, the hero of Valmiki's ancient Sanskrit epic, Ramayana, was a historical figure like jesus Christ, and Valmiki's timeless epic, like the New Testament, a faithful account of Rama's life, his trials, tribulations and triumph.
Confining within the four corners of the original story. Ram Varma brings in a refreshing whiff of realism in his retelling, washing off the artificial veneer of obscurantism that has distorted and obscured Valmiki’s picture. The reader gets a glimpse of real Rama without the props of godhead provided in the Punanic age.
Contents
Acknowledgement
Timeline
Foreword
Prologue
1. Chaitra
1. Invocation
2. Ayodhya
3. Aja and Indumati
4. Dashratha ascends the throne
5. Dashratha’s expedition against the Asuras
6. Dashratha kill Shravana
7. Yearning for a son – Ashvamedha Yajna
8. Kaushalya
9. Keikeyi
10. Sumitra
11. Birth of Rama and bothers
2. Vaishakh
1. Vishwamitra comes calling
2. Journey of Siddhashram- Stories of Vishwamitra’s life
3. Rama Kills Tataka
4. Journey to Mithila
5. Rape of Ahalya
6. Janak finds a new-born babe
7. Sita’s Swayamvar
8. Sita meets Rama
9. Rama’s arrow goes on target
10. In Janak’s Palace
11. Rama weds Sita
3. Jyaishtha
1. Life in Ayodhya
2. Sita
3. Vishwamitra takes his leave
4. Bharat and Shatrughna leave for Girivrija
5. Rama Involves in State affairs
6. Dashratha plans retirement
7. Kaikeyi traps Dashratha
8. The Play
9. Kaikeyi asks for two boons
10. Dashratha calls for Rama
11. Rama’s exile-Vanavasa
12. Sita wants to go along
13. Lakshman’s fury
14. Taking leaves of Father
15. Rama leaves Ayodhya
16. Night at Tamasa’s bank
17. At Ganga’s bank – Shringaverpur
18. Crossing the Ganga
19. Bhardwaja Ashrama
20. Crossing the Yamuna
21. Chitrakoot – The cottage upon Mandakini’s bank
4. Ashadha
1. Dashratha’s Demise
2. Bharat’s dream
3. Return to Ayodhya
4. Bharat gives Mukhagni to Father
5. Bharat’s Coronation
6. Bharat Goes to meet Rama
7. At Bharadwaja ashram
8. Chitrakoot
9. Reunion at Chitrakoot
10. Bharat’s entreaty for Rama’s return
11. Janak arrives at Chitrakoot
5. Shravana
1. Life in Chitrakoot
2. Peace of Paradise shattered
3. Thunder, rain and the Fire God
4. Autumn and Spring-hand in hand
5. Beyond Chitrakoot – Dandakaranya
6. Attri’s ashrama
7. Other Ashramas – Other abodes
8. Yajna in Honour of Rama
9. Sita’s plea on ahimsa
10. Killing of Viradha
11. Sharbhanga ashrama
12. Sutikshna ashrama
13. Agastya’s ashrama
14. Panchavati
6. Bhadrapad
1. A Shadow of evil
2. Injury and insult
3. Khara and Dushana Killed
4. Shroopnakha heads for Lanka
5. Ravana hatches a plan – rushes to Janasthan
6. Ravana stalks his prey
7. Sita’s abduction
8. Jatayu’s rescue bid
9. Rama is surprised by Lakshman
10. Search for Sita
11. Jatayu dies in Rama’s arms
12. Sita’s unending Journey to Lanka
13. Ravana’s Proposition
7. Ashvin
1. Search for Sita
2. Encounter at Pampa Lake
3. A Cave on Mount Rishyamook
4. Alliance with Sugriva
5. Rama kills Vali
6. Scouting for Sita
7. Hanuman crosses the sea
8. A Yajna in Mahakaal temple
9. Meeting Sita in Ashoka Vaika
10. Hanuman’s adventures
11. Arrest and Punishment
12. Hanuman returns
8. Kartika
1. Hanuman brings Sita’s news
2. March on Lanka
3. Ravana’s debaucheries
4. Ravana makes overtures to Sugriva
5. Ravana in Council
6. Vibhishan seeks refuge
7. The causeway repaired
8. Rama’s army reaches Lanka
9. Gifts from surprise visitors
10. Angad takes Rama’s message
9. Margashirsha
1. Assault on Lanka fort
2. The moat breached
3. Meghnada fires naag-paas – Hanuman brings herbs
4. Meghnada exults – Ravana
5. Ravana’s hopes belied – His generals killed
6. Ravana enters the fray
7. Ravana summons Kumbhakarna
8. Kumbhakarna’s tranquilizers
9. Kumbhakarna goes to battle
10. Ravana Mourns Kumbha’s death
11. Ravana Grieves for his four sons
10. Pausha
1. Meghnada performs sacrifice
2. Meghnada strikes again
3. Meghnada slays ‘Sita’
4. Lakshman kills Meghnada
5. Ravana goes to battle
6. A Ratha for Rama
7. Ravana returns to battle
8. Rama kills Ravana
11. Magha
1. Women wailing for Ravana
2. Rama goes to bring Sita
3. Lakshman crowns Vibhishan / Shroopnakha visits Rama
4. Saudamini meets Rama
5. The return to Ayodhya
6. Urmila in Ayodhya
7. Hanuman meets Bharat
8. The Coronation
9. Sita revives in love’s shower
10. the aftermath
11. Rama wanders ingognito
12. Sita’s exile
13. Lakshman takes Sita to Valmiki ashrama
14. Sita is left alone
15. Sita meets Valmiki
16. Rohini
17. Janak sends Shatananda to bring Sita to Mithila
18. Sita delivers twins
12. Phalguna
1. Rama awaits Lakshman’s return
2. Rama sends Shatrughna to Madhura
3. Rama sends Bharat to fight Asuras
4. Kaushalya’s demise
5. Rama performs Ashvamedha Yajna
6. Lava and Kusha recite Ramayana
7. Rama meets the rishis
8. Rama sends Lakshman to bring Sita home
9. Sita kills the sacrificial horse
10. Janak’s demise / Journey to Mithila
11. Sita’s demise
12. Floating on Saryu’s waves
Author’s Note
Glossary