First, I would like to start this review by humbly surrendering and bowing down to the magnificence of Sri Rama, whose stories inspires and energises generations. I strongly feel it was his will and immense blessings on Dr. V. Raghavan to come up with this rarest precious gem. AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE. As I complete the book, an overwhelming sense is sweeping over mind, which is still grappling with some serious questions. Just how did Dr. V. Raghavan come up with this book in that age? We need to understand the complexity and enormity of the task at hand. This book is constructed from the lectures delivered by Dr. V. Raghavan in 1977. Of course, I am reminded of similar magnificent book, “Lectures on the Ramayana” by Rt. Hon. V. S. Srinivasa Sastri. However, the intellectual depth and breadth exhibited by the author is just too enormous to even comprehend, let alone fathom.
The book is about Dr. V. Raghavan’s analysis of the most popular Ramayana renditions across various stalwarts of Sanskrit & Prakrit literature namely, Kalidasa, Pravarasena, Kumaradasa, Bhatti, Abhinanda, Bhoja and Ksemendra. In each of these works, Dr. V. Raghavan provides a very clinical analysis of similarities and differences / deviations of the renditions with the golden reference of Valmiki Ramayana. It should be noted that Valmiki Ramayana itself has multiple recessions, which are thoroughly cross-referenced by the author. Considering that this work was done in a pre-computer era with no digital documentation or searching, everything boils to the scholarship, dedication and absolute devotion to the topic at hand. COMPLETE BRILLIANCE.
Dr. V. Raghavan takes every single event from each of the epics above and compares with the traditional telling of Valmiki Ramayana. For example, Ahalya episode, Manthara, Sampati conversation.. Every single aspect is analysed in depth. In fact, Dr. Raghavan goes to the extent of breaking down the individual verses / words and analysing the potential interpretations, delving into the thought process of the geniuses who composed these classics centuries ago. The consistency in ensuring that the same key event (another example is the Crow episode) is analysed across all epics under consideration. While the analytical and comparison is thrilling enough, Dr. Raghavan also highlights the poetic brilliance of the authors to extend the narrative or blend in their own imagination to potentially explain some of the unknown facets of Ramayana.
This book is a prime example of how research and analysis should be performed. The intellectual depth can’t even be imagined. If you are a student of Sanskrit / Prakrit literature or Ramayana enthusiast or an ardent devotee of Sri Rama, this book is a MUST HAVE, MUST READ book on your shelves.
ABSOLUTE BRILLIANCE. My humble salutations to the author whose genius we are lucky and blessed to savor.
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