Ramayana (ENG)

Dasaratha’s Desire However, despite having all the opulences a man and a king could desire, Dasaratha was not happy. The reason: he couldn’t have children. He had three wives, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi, three women of … Read More

The Narration Of the Ramayana Begins On the banks of the Sarayu stood the city of Ayodhya, capital of the kingdom of Koshala. The opulences of this kingdom were unspeakable, especially those of its capital. Ayodhya … Read More

  Narada had only told him a summary of the story, and Valmiki felt the need to know all the details. So, he sat down in the yoga position and immersed himself in deep meditation. And … Read More

Valmiki’s Mission One day, after finishing his religious rites and ablutions, the sage returned to the hermitage. And there, radiant with the light of a thousand suns, Brahma, the first being born, the one who designed … Read More

Bala Kanda Narada Muni Narrates the Ramayana to Valmiki Long time ago, when the sacred Veda books were studied, those who desired spiritual realization used to retreat to the sacred places of which India is still … Read More

Acknowledgments We could not conclude this introduction without thanking those who made possible the publication of this book in English: Bhaktin Rosario, Isvara Dasa, Madhavendra Puri Dasa, Isvari Devi Dasi. Without them we would not have … Read More

The Structure Of This Edition The literal translation and full prose version of ancient epic poems is always hard work. We did not want to do one thing or the other. This is not to say … Read More

To Dispel Some Perplexities I am perfectly aware that when I affirm the historicity of the Ramayana, I arouse some perplexities in the minds of the readers. There are, in the narrative, numerous ideas that might … Read More

The Ramayana: Allegory or Historical Event? Not a few have referred to the Ramayana as an allegorical work, thus emptying it of its historical value. Many say that the Ramayana is actually a poetic description of … Read More

Can We Learn Something Practical? Rama was an ideal person. How can we not learn something from him? We can learn to love everyone, but also to vigorously defend those principles that lift the human soul. … Read More

India’s Treasures Does India hide something? How many people travel back and forth to that sunny and hot country each year? Why have so many poets, writers, musicians, painters, and artists in general turned to India … Read More

Notes Of Philosophical Nature The Ramayana also offers us some philosophical points which I consider important to address, albeit briefly. Man has always felt the need for a personal God. It could not be otherwise, since … Read More

Geographical Hints Ayodhya is located in the state of Uttara Pradesh in northern India, not far from the large commercial center of Lucknow. It is a large and prosperous city, very beautiful. In Ayodhya the devotees … Read More

After those first fortunate circumstances, on my travels to London, Delhi, and Bombay I bought several editions of the Ramayana and Maha-bharata, and immersed myself in their study. I have read these books a considerable number … Read More