RAMAYAN  THE  EPIC

Foreword

Sri Rama is the God whom Billion Indians know of. Most Worship him. I also heard a friend who said ‘ Ramayana is Mythology ‘ that’s When I got bugged. I asked him only one question, even if you take that as Mythology ‘ Tell me one instance or Story or happening ‘ anywhere in the world ,anytime ,where 4 Brothers say ‘ I Do not want this Property’ . King with his brother and Wife to full fill his Father’s Wishes leaves the Kingdom and roams around in the Forest for 13 years. When his wife is abducted by deceit, assembles an Army of Billions of Vanaras after befriendng their King and goes and defeats the most Notorious Valorous Tyrant King Ravana (whom even celestials and Pathaal(Beneath the Earth Kings) are scared. When I visited Dhanushkodi sea beach on14th Apr 2011(near Rameshwaram South India) then it hit me most; where there in no one Living even today and the vast Sea faces you, scares you, humbles you . Wondered How this Rama crossed this vast sea and beat the King Ravana and did not enter their city after Victory , instead sent his brother to coronate Ravana’s younger brother Vibheeshana as King. It is another Engineering marvel even to this date, the Longest Bridge constructed over the sea with Millions of Vanaras in 5 Days flat and went and laid Siege to Lanka City.

So I wanted to read the original Valmiki Ramayana . I happened to come across the Original Tamil Translation of same written by Sri C.R.Srinivasa Iyengar BA , Ramayana Vilas Mylapore Chennai in 1925 .This book was published by Little Flower Co Chennai and my father apparently purchased the 5th Edition in1984 after his retirement from service in Trichy. By chance I saw this book while shifting my residence to Bangalore. When I started reading this Valmiki Ramayana my Joy knew no bounds. God Brahma grants Boon to Sage Valmiki(who Lived when Rama was alive) to see things as it happened, and also the feelings that went through all the characters in each episode as it was, also whatever he says is nothing but truth and will narrate the entire Ramayana as it happened.This was an authentication I was seeking.

As my daughter and son do not know how to read Tamil and also My grand children do not know Tamil. I thought instead of simply reading and enjoying it and get God’s Belssings, Why not simultaneoulsy translate it into English without wasting time, as assmilation will be better and it is available for posterity. I haven’t searched if Valimiki Ramayana is available in English as narrated by Sage Valmiki with all 537 Sarghams , 21,393 Slokas . This book is in double column version of 1070 pages (Tamil is 1690 Pages) with 4,18,592 words occupying 11.2 MB as it has few pictures to elucidate same. I wanted to read the same and Voice Audio Record in English ,so that interested people can listen while Driving , travelling etc daily as Time is the most precious commodity in today’s fast world. This will take some time to do. This Book will help all People who can read English all over the world to assimilate it. Just read only the 1st Chapter and you will not leave the book until it is finished. The Book is Lucid and Simple, when even i could understand it , I am sure all of you will relish it much more.

I would like Place on record my acknowledgement to LIFCO(Little Flower Co Chennai ) from whose 2 Volumes of Tamil Book on Srimadh Valmiki Ramayana- from here I have translated. My personal opinions have been ear marked **(…..) thus to keep the original flavor in tact as it was in the book. Also Tamil English Dictionary of LIFCO was generously used.

I want to thank Mr N.V.Chandrasekar brother of my classmate Late Sivakumar who helped in Layout, editing, formatting and bringing it to this Form. I also would like to thank my Wife, Children, Grand children, my mother , my brother, my uncles & aunts , my classmates, friends, my neighbour in encouraging me from time to time to be at it. Also my Sister and Brother in Law for giving me an appropriate English word for the original tamil words seen in the book, when ever I asked them. My Salutations to Janakapuri Goddess Sri Raja Rajeshwari Amma New Delhi by being with me 24X7x365x… in my little endevour, which has taken me roughly 9 months @ 5 to 6 hours of reading & simultaneous translation in English daily, except for 2 months when my grand sons had come on summer vacation. I thank Internet which came in handy in translation, getting relevant pictures. This is my 6th attempt in Translation work. Earlier ones have been English Translation of 18 Puranas (550 Pages)in Tamil of Narmada publications Chennai and of Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Bhashyam of Gnyana Bhaskara Book (600 pages)published in Tamil , Thulasi Mahathmiyum ,Devi Mahathmiyum of Sri Anna & Epic on Janakapuri Sri Raja Rajeshwari Amma’s grace .

The Fruits of Reading Ramayana is given in initial Chapter as well as in last chapter by Sage Valimiki. I have personally experienced same time and again while reading/writing this epic. It is not meant for Hindu’s alone but for every Human. It is about Righteous Living and Conduct and how to overcome trials and tribulations without being engulfed in grief and sorrow and blaming others. Sargham 46 in Kishkinda Kandam Sugreeva gives Description of this world which is amazing & fascinating to read. The Topics on Governance , Righteous Living, Friendship, country without a King/Head of State, relationships with brothers , Kith & Kin , war strategies , Weapon Systems,Poisonous Missiles etc are mind boggling that too advanced culture which existed almost 17,50,000 years ref NASA Picture in Yudha Kandham .

Even for fun or inquisitiveness or urge / yearning to know of what it contains or want to see How God behaves as a Human- if one reads this Valimiki Ramayana. Not only You, Your Family and Friends will also benefit from it. This is eternal Turth (Sathyam). Can you beat it my Diabtes HB1AC went as low as 5.8 while writing Ramayana that is the effect of it ,on Human behaviour. Please read the epilogue on Rama Nama Chanting at the end of Yudha Kandham.Also please find Pictures of Places where Sri Rama wnt as they exist is India as on 2010 –Courtsey Mr Velukudi Krishnan –Ardent Devotee Pravachak.

I Pray, May all Houses Lamps Glow, May hearth in everyone’s house be alive daily, May Festivals , Marriages happen in every house hold frequently , May Everyone beget Noble Children, May Lord Rama and Sita with Hanuman Bless each and everyone who reads this immaterial of which religion or region or caste or creed they belong to. Amma Charanam

Bhaktha (Devotee)

Epilogue

Rama Naamam Tharaka Namam

Ragam : Desh Thalam ; Adhi

Rama Naamamay thaaraka Naamam

Taraka Namam (Sri Ram Jai Ram, Jai Jai Rama)is Rama Namam

Odhidu naavil manamay dhinamay

Hey Mun Recite with your Tongue daily

Kama krodhangal jhaiythidum Naamam

Will help overcome Lust & Anger

Kamiyanagal pala amizh thiudum Naamam

Immerse you in Positive achievements for righteous Actions

Maruthi muzhangidum mangala Naamam

Hanuman Resounds with this Holy Nama

Kaarmukhil vannan karunai Naamam

Cloudy Sky hued Lord’s Merciful Nama

Parvathi Nayaakan bhajithidum Naamam

Nama that Parvathi’s Lord recites in HIS Prayers

Bhaktharai pravasamakidum Naamam

Nama makes Bhakthas Ecstatic

Thooya anbharkku thunai varum Naamam

Nama escorts Purest Loving Devotees

Neyarkalai ondru seyrthidum Naamam

Nama Unites the upright Devouts

Ohyaadha thollaikall ozhithidum Naamam

Nama Destroys Unabated Troubles,Worries , Misseries

Sowndhara Nayakan Sathgunah Naamam

Most Handsome Thy Nama is Noble

Shaaswadah padham tharum adbhuda Naamam

Miracle Nama confers Thy Eternal Lotus Feet

Kalangidhum theenarai kaathidum Naamam

Shileds the confused Devouts

Gowri odhidum kalyaana Naamam

Mother Supreeme Gowri recites Thy Nama that brings auspicious Prosperity

Rama Rama Rama Rama

Rama Rama Rama Rama

Kodhanda Rama Kalyaana Rama

Bow Wielding RAMA, Prosperity Showering Rama

Pattabhi Rama Jaya Jaya Rama

Emperor Rama, Ever Victorious Rama

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Rama’s journey from Ayodhya to Lanka