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The Ramayana

R.K. Narayan

45 Chapters
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Completed on 17 November 2023
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The Ramayana is, quite simply, the greatest of Indian epics - and one of the world's supreme masterpieces of storytelling 'Almost every individual living in India,' writes R. K. Narayan in the Introduction to this new interpretation, 'is aware of the story of The Ramayana. Everyone of whatever age, outlook, education or station in life knows the essential part of the epic and adores the main figures in it - Rama and Sita. Every child is told the story at bedtime . . . The Ramayana pervades our cultural life.' Although the Sanskrit original was composed by Valmiki, probably around the fourth century BC, poets have produced countless variant versions in different languages. Here, drawing his inspiration from the work of an eleventh-century Tamil poet called Kamban, Narayan has used the talents of a master novelist to recreate the excitement and joy he has found in the original. It can be enjoyed and appreciated, he suggests, for its psychological insight, its spiritual depth and its practical wisdom - or just as a thrilling tale of abduction,battle and courtship played out in a universe thronged with heroes, deities and demons. 

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1

RAMA'S INITIATION

9 November 2023
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The new assembly hall, Dasaratha’s latest pride, was crowded all day with visiting dignitaries, royal emissaries, and citizens coming in with representations or appeals for justice. The King

2

THATAKA'S STORY

9 November 2023
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The woman I speak of was the daughter of Suketha, a yaksha, a demigod of great valour, might, and purity. She was beautiful and full of wild energy. When she grew up she was married to a

3

MAHABALI'S STORY

9 November 2023
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This is consecrated ground where Vishnu once sat in meditation. (Although Rama was Vishnu, his human incarnation made him unaware of his identity at the moment.) While Vishnu was thus eng

4

GANGA'S STORY

9 November 2023
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Every inch of ground on earth, as you may have realized by now, has a divine association. Mother Earth has been there since the beginning of creation, being one of the five primeval elements. She

5

AHALYA'S STORY

9 November 2023
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Brahma once created, out of the ingredients of absolute beauty, a woman, and she was called Ahalya (which in the Sanskrit language means non-imperfection). God Indra, being the highest go

6

THE WEDDING !! (1)

10 November 2023
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Mithila, after all the forests, mountain paths, valleys, and places of solitude and silence through which we havetravelled thus far, offers a pleasant change to a city of colour and pleasure, with pe

7

THE WEDDING !! (2)

10 November 2023
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They were bewildered and amused at first, but later became genuinely concerned, when they noticed tears streaming down her cheeks. They found her prattling involuntarily, “Shoulders of emerald, eyes l

8

THE WEDDING (3)

10 November 2023
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Although he had exhibited no sign of it, deeply within he felt a disturbance. His innate sense of discipline and propriety had made him conceal his feelings before other people. Now he kept thinking o

9

THE WEDDING (4)

10 November 2023
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"How do you know it was not a divine inspiration that gave you the thought?" "In all the worlds, is there anyone who can tackle this bow, the very sight of which in Shiva's hand made erring gods and g

10

THE WEDDING (5)

10 November 2023
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He then passed orders: "Let the announcement in appropriate language be made widely that King Janaka has invited for Rama's wedding every man, woman, and child in our capital. Let those able to travel

11

THE WEDDING (6)

10 November 2023
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"Those who were together only a little while ago came together again, and there was no need for any elaborate ritual of speech between them," says Kamban, describing the couple's first meeting at the

12

TWO PROMISED REVIVED !! (1)

10 November 2023
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In his busy life Dasaratha perhaps had never studied his mirror properly. He had had no occasion to scrutinize himself too long in the mirror or engage himself in any introspection. Suddenly one day h

13

TWO PROMISED REVIVED (2)

11 November 2023
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Grown old, my physical body is ready for dissolution...." He had said these things before and was now repeating himself. Rama understood that there must be some deep agitation within him. But out of r

14

TWO PROMISED REVIVED (3)

11 November 2023
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 "Never! how would she dare!" cried Kaikeyi involuntarily. "Let her try!" "By this time tomorrow, it could happen, it's bound to happen sooner or later." Thus Kooni had brought Kaikeyi to the brink of

15

TWO PROMISED REVIVED (4)

11 November 2023
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"You have promised me the granting of two boons, and you have swom to it in the name of Rama-your darling son Rama. And now I'll speak out my mind. If you reject my demand, you will be the first of th

16

TWO PROMISED REVIVED (5)

11 November 2023
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Vasishtha understood, but still asked, "What is the cause. of this change?" Kaikeyi, whose good manners had reached their limit, now said, "If my husband will speak, he can-otherwise please wait. Just

17

TWO PROMISED REVIVED (6)

11 November 2023
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Rama smiled to himself. "She has undertaken to keep me company and may have to go a long way on foot yet." "Still, when a chariot is available, please come. At least you can leave the crowd behind and

18

ENCOUNTERS IN EXCILE (1)

12 November 2023
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They reached Panchvati, set in sylvan surroundings in the proximity of the river. Lakshmana, adept as he had proved to be, had already gone ahead and created a home for them with clay, thatch, leaves,

19

ENCOUNTERS IN EXCILE (2)

12 November 2023
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"Oh, beauty, will you explain why, when you happen to be the sister of that overlord of three worlds, Ravana, you have not come surrounded with attendants and bearers, but all alone, unescorted?" She

20

ENCOUNTERS IN EXCILE (3)

12 November 2023
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" Soorpanaka made one last attempt to gain Rama's love. She said, "Even now it's not too late. My brother Ravana will pardon you for what you have done if he knows we are married; he will also make yo

21

THE GRAND TORMENTOR (1)

13 November 2023
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Ravana, the supreme lord of this and other worlds, sat in his durbar hall, surrounded by a vast throng of courtiers and attendants. The kings of this earth whom he had reduced to vassaldom stood about

22

THE GRAND TORMENTOR (2)

13 November 2023
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The late winter with its light mist and cool wind proved uncomfortable to Ravana, who shouted at it the question, "What wretched season are you?"-whereupon the weather changed to early summer, a rathe

23

THE GRAND TORMENTOR (3)

13 November 2023
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Mareecha, who was now putting forth his best effort to live a new life and practise all the moral and spiritual values, cried, "It's immoral. Coveting another's wife...." "She had no business to becom

24

THE GRAND TORMENTOR (4)

13 November 2023
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Mareecha went to Dandaka forest. In the vicinity of Panchvati, he assumed the form of a golden deer and strutted before Rama's cottage. Attracted by its brilliance, other deer came up and surrounded t

25

THE GRAND TORMENTOR (5)

14 November 2023
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Sita had no ear for any explanation and went on repeating, "Go, go and save him! How can you stay here talking! I'm surprised at your calmness." As Lakshmana kept on asking her to remain calm, she bec

26

VALI

14 November 2023
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The perfect man takes a false step, apparently commits a moral slip, and we ordinary mortals stand puzzled before the incident. It may be less an actual error of commission on his part than a lack of

27

SUGREEVA'S STORY

14 November 2023
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Blessed by the grace of Shiva, there is one who possesses unlimited strength and his name is Vali, the brother of Sugreeva here. In ancient times, when the gods and demons tried to churn the ocean to

28

DUNDUBI'S STORY (1)

14 November 2023
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These are the bones of a monster named Dundubi; he was a powerful demon in the shape of a buffalo. He had sought out Vishnu and said, "I wish to engage you in a war." Vishnu directed him to Shiva as t

29

DUNDUBI'S STORY (2)

14 November 2023
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Tara, his wife, interceded at this moment, pleading, "Please do not go out now. There must be some extraordinary reason why your brother is b manner." 183/272 th Vali shouted, "Oh, my wife, get out of

30

WHEN THE RAINS CEASE !! (1)

15 November 2023
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Sugreeva was crowned with elaborate rituals and festivities. Robed royally, and wearing a scintillating crown, Sugreeva approached Rama, who had stayed outside Kiskinda throughout the celebrations, an

31

WHEN THE RAINS CEASE !! (2)

15 November 2023
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All this was minutely noted by Rama, as indicating a definite change of season and a reminder that Sugreeva had failed to keep his promise to arrive with his army. He said to Lakshmana, "Does it not s

32

WHEN THE RAINS CEASE !! (3)

15 November 2023
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Tara addressed him with all courtesy. "We are honoured and happy at your visit. But the manner of your coming has frightened us. Until we know what you have in mind, we will feel uneasy. Is there anyt

33

WHEN THE RAINS CEASE 4

15 November 2023
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Sugreeva called up the commanders and allotted to each a task, in different directions. Hanuman and Angada were to proceed southward, and that was the most important of the assignments. Before Hanuman

34

WHEN THE RAINS CEASE 5

15 November 2023
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Hanuman and Angada went southward, taking a picked army with them. They crossed mountains and rivers. Wherever they suspected Ravana might be hiding, they fell to in a frenzy and ransacked every nook

35

MEMENTO FROM RAMA.

16 November 2023
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Landing on the soil of Lanka, Hanuman shrank himself to an unnoticeable size and began his search for Sita. He peeped into every building in the city. He saw several streets with houses in which Ravan

36

RAVANA IN COUNCIL.

16 November 2023
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Ravana's capital, after its destruction by Hanuman, was rebuilt by the divine architect Maya. Surveying it now, Ravana forgot for a moment the setback he had suffered, and was lost in admiration of th

37

RAVANA IN COUNCIL. (1)

16 November 2023
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Ravana's capital, after its destruction by Hanuman, was rebuilt by the divine architect Maya. Surveying it now, Ravana forgot for a moment the setback he had suffered, and was lost in admiration of th

38

RAVANA IN COUNCIL.(2)

16 November 2023
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Ravana glared at his brother and said with a bitter laugh, "You began with agreeable sentences and sentiments but you go on prattling away like a madman. Is it out of fear or out of love for those hum

39

ACROSS THE OCEAN.

16 November 2023
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As Vibishana noticed Rama standing at the edge of the sea, brooding, perhaps, on plans to rescue Sita, he kept himself in the background, not wishing to break in on him at just that moment. Later, how

40

THE SIEGE OF LANKA.

16 November 2023
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Ravana deployed the pick of his divisions to guard the approaches to the capital and appointed his trusted generals and kinsmen in special charge of key places. Gradually, however, his world began to

41

RAMA AND RAVANA IN BATTLE.(1)

16 November 2023
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Every moment, news came to Ravana of fresh disasters in his camp. One by one, most of his commanders were lost. No one who went forth with battle cries was heard of again. Cries and shouts and the wai

42

RAMA AND RAVANA IN BATTLE.(2)

16 November 2023
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Ravana suddenly realized that he should change his tactics and ordered his charioteer to fly the chariot up in the skies. From there he attacked and destroyed a great many of the monkey army supportin

43

INTERLUDE.

17 November 2023
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To Link Up the Narrative, an Extract from "Valmiki"12 After the death of Ravana, Rama sent Hanuman as his emissary to fetch Sita. Sita was overjoyed. She had been in a state of mourning all along, com

44

THE CORONATION.

17 November 2023
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Rama explained that he had to adopt this trial in order to demonstrate Sita's purity beyond a shadow of doubt to the whole world. This seemed a rather strange inconsistency on the part of one who had

45

EPILOGUE.

17 November 2023
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Rama entered Ayodhya, after fourteen years of exile, a time during which he rid this world of evil forces that had tormented it for centuries. It was a happy reunion at the capital. The coronation fes

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