Sri Ramachandra: The Sculptor of our National Character
An evocative essay that shows why Bhagavan Sri Rama is the sculptor of Bharatavarsha's national character
Decoding the Many Versions of the Ramayana
Much confusion, debates and distortions have occurred owing to the hundreds of versions and retellings of the Ramayana that have appeared in all Indian (and foreign) languages. This episode begins a detailed decoding of several of these versions and attempts to arrive at the most accurate and origin
The Aesthetic Elements of the Ramayana
Adikavi, Maharshi Valmiki provided the first great model for composing poetry imbued with all the nine Rasas. He authored the Ramayana at a time when the formal academic discipline of aesthetics was nonexistent. This essay brings out a beautiful exposition of the aesthetic and artistic elements of t
Sri Rama: The True National Integrator
As long as our emotions remain relevant to us, the Rāmāyaṇa will remain in currency. Sri Rama was truly the national integrator. He belonged to the Sūrya-vaṃśa and just as the world cannot exist without the Sun, it cannot exist without Rāma and the Rama-Tattva.
What does the Ramayaṇa stand for?
The journey of Rāma is the story of Sītā; the epic captures their extraordinary life as an ideal couple. Rāvaṇa’s interference disrupts their life, their journey and their story. Maharshi Valmiki points out in a splendid manner how the wicked deeds of an individual can have cascading effects on innu
How to Understand the Wholesome Essence of the Ramayana
Srimad Ramayana is an immortal work of poetry imbued with great artistry. It is not a treatise on history, geography, anthropology, flora and fauna although these elements occur profusely in the epic. Neither the Rāmāyaṇa nor the Mahābhārata has claimed itself to be a treatise on biology, geography
The Transformation of Valmiki Births the Universal Epic Ramayana
According to the Puranas, Valmiki was a robber initially. He was enlightened by the Rishis after which he sat in meditation chanting the sacred name of Rama with such intensity that an anthill grew around his body. As he emerged out of the anthill or Valmīka, he came to be called Vālmīki. Having thu
Srimad Ramayana: The First Poem. Maharshi Valmiki: The First Poet
Srimad Ramayana has been justly hailed as the Adi Kavya (The First Poem) and Maharshi Valmiki as the Adi Kavi (The First Poet). The Rāmāyaṇa, however, paved a hitherto untrodden and unrealised path – the path of artistic charm, where everything worldly is sublimated to the spiritual. This poetic pa
The Essential Ramayana: An Introduction
This is the introductory episode of a series exploring the various nuances of Maharshi Valmiki's immortal epic, Srimad Ramayana. It is part of the Prologue written by scholar and researcher, Sri Arjun Bharadwaj's latest work titled "The Essential Ramayana."
Richard’s Seduction of Anne and Manthara’s Brainwashing of Kaikeyi
The episode of Richard III's seduction of Anne and Manthara's slow and effective poisoning of Kaikeyi's mind offers a brilliant comparative analysis of the genius level grasp of literary Masters over human impulses and their real life operation.