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
How to Understand the Ramayana? To understand these poems is necessary, first of all, to have at least a minimum of knowledge of Vedic philosophy, of the concept of God the person, of His energies, of … Read More
How Can the Ramayana be of Importance in Modern Reality? Despite its antiquity, the Ramayana is not obsolete. These poems exert a great fascination and possess an ever new freshness, so wonderful that they transcend the … 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
One day, along the path that skirted Rama’s hut, Surpanakha, Ravana’s sister, the king of the Raksasas, happened to pass by chance. Surpanakha was a monstrous and evil being, a worthy sister of Ravana. Her features … Read More
I had always dreamed of recounting the Ramayana in a simple book, within everyone’s reach, sure, as I still am, that the beauty of the story would have fascinated anyone. I heard the Ramayana – and … Read More
It was at that time when the great Visvamitra, the sage of immortal fame who had reached the highest peaks of ascetic perfection, arrived in Ayodhya. His austerities were so severe that the Devas were frightened … Read More
“I’ve heard of Tataka,” said Rama curiously, “and I’d like to know more about her. Tell me the story of her life.” Stopping at where they were, the Rishi looked at Rama and Laksmana and recounted … Read More
And the sacrifice began. Dasaratha and his queens were at the edge of the arena. They were anxious and worried about the eventual success, but the confidence in the famous ascetic who led the yajna was … Read More
Only one Raksasa named Akampana managed to escape. He possessed mystical powers thanks to which he could travel through the air at great speed. He fled to Lanka, Ravana’s kingdom. Akampana told the king all that … Read More
The three decided to visit Agastya, one of the most powerful sage in history. When they saw him, they understood how he had been able to accomplish so many prodigious deeds. They admired him sitting in … Read More
They entered the Krauncha forest, full of dangers of all kinds. That same day they bumped into Ayomukhi, a horrible Rakshasi who, seeing Laksmana so beautiful, fell in love with him and tried to force him … Read More
Following Agastya’s advice, Rama, Laksmana, and Sita went to Pancavati. As they made their way to their destination, they encountered a giant vulture watching them menacingly. It was so big that Sita began to tremble with … Read More
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 and built … 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 as … Read More
The violent and vindictive character prevailed over reason, and Ravana yelled at his assistants to prepare the battle chariot. So, with all that paraphernalia, he went back to Maricha’s. Seeing him arrive, Maricha understood that a … Read More
But Sita insisted and accused him again harshly. Filled with pain and anger, Laksmana decided he had to leave. “So be it. I’ll go find my brother in the forest. I will disobey his orders knowing … Read More
10 questions and 10 answers on the Valmiki Ramayana Question Hare Krsna. Maharaj, Accept my most humble and respectful obediences, all glories to Srila Prabhupad. In my Ramayana reading, these questions came to me: There are … Read More
