A story titled "ramyana" ..

It’s 1am and I’ve just finished 6 parts of Ramayana today .

And here I am , wide awake …replaying the entire epic in my mind

Ramayana always meant something special to me . I never saw it on tv…or read it .My entire knowledge of it ( and quite a substantial one at that ) came from what I heard from my nani’s mother …

She was frail , ancient , always wrapped in a spotless white sari . And somehow the story she narrated stuck with me . I don’t remember the words ..or the expressions ..or where did she tell it .

But the Ramayana I have always known …is her Ramayana .

So when I picked up this series ..I was excited . To see as to how much of my memory actually adhered to the main story .

Halfway through , I was lost …in an ecstasy so divine I could feel it pulsating in my brain  .

For it is a book of idealism …which shows you that if you are right …NOTHING …and I repeat ,nothing can touch you.

It is your faith in yourself and your principles that brings you victory .

Dasaratha , the ancient legendary warrior king fighting a losing battle between his ‘dharma’ and his love for his sons ( and wives )

Kaushalya , the kshatriya queen who bears it all with grace .

Kaikeyi , the warrior queen … assertive , proud , untamed . and yet a mother misled by those around her .

Manthara , the shrewd selfish cunning wielder of words ( and power )

Lakshman , the fighter ..who holds his head high . and love for his brother utmost .

Sita , the warrior princess who upholds her honour , dignity and her conviction for her husband .No matter what crosses her path !

Hanuman , the witty , all powerful  , braveheart who serves his Lord with a devotion so strong .. it manifests as his own shakti !

Jambhvan , the age old wise bear who watches it all with sad eyes and lends a hand to those lost around him .

Ravana , a maharishi in Himself . The sage…the sinner…the artist..the warrior…the just…the cunning … the master strategist ..the impulsive punisher .

Mandodhari , beautiful , serene , head-strong … knowing her place in the palace and yet ruling it all with an iron fist !

Suparnakha , the sexy lusty revengeful yaksi-rakshasi …ever on the lookout .

So many …so many more of them . Each character is a book in itself !

As you see the internal politics … the bravery ..the loyalty … the treachery ….every element of drama that unfolds …

You will realize that the book is all about how you FACE your fears . How it is easy to slip on the wrong path …and yet everyone has the inner courage to stick to what they believe is right .

How an army of puny vanars and bears went clashing against the mighty asuras .

Based on just the ove and devotion for that one figure , Rama

Read it … I am out of words to express what I want to . But you will realize it once your turn the pages …

And as far as Rama is concerned … I can’t ( or rather , won’t )describe him

For to all of us … He is what we want Him to be …

“Jai siyaram ”