Ramayana Unravelled

Excellent masterpiece. Is not that I didn't know the Ramayan. But this concise book summaries Ramayan , gives you so many leadership tips and sessions that it is amazing that author could tell so many things and yet keep it concise.Learnt a new term "bhagireeti prayas " at page 68 ,wah !!! simply awesomeMust read book

Ami Ganatra's skill with words is the first thing one notices when they start reading this book.The way she teaches so much in a few words is truly amazing.Her take on the Ramayan, specially since she read the Sanskrit version of the epic, is very authentic and the way she explains the controversial actions of the most revered characters is simply genius.Her interpretation has made me feel very close to the epic and has increased my fondness for Shri Ram.Highly recommended book!

Just finished few pages and i am really enjoying reading it."Ramayana Unraveled" offers a fresh perspective on the ancient epic, delving into its themes, characters, and cultural significance. The author critically examines the narrative, questioning traditional interpretations and exploring the moral dilemmas faced by key figures. Beautifully written by Ami ji.

I recently finished reading “Ramayana Unravelled” and found it to be a thought-provoking exploration of the lesser-known facets of Rishi Valmiki’s epic. The author, Ami Ganatra, delves into the intricacies of the characters and the narrative with a keen eye, addressing common misconceptions and providing fresh insights into the motivations and actions of the central figures.The book is well-structured and presents a clear and concise analysis of the Ramayana, making it accessible to both those familiar with the epic and newcomers. Ganatra’s writing style is engaging, and she manages to unravel complex themes with ease, offering readers a deeper understanding of this timeless story.One of the highlights of the book is its examination of the relationships between the characters, particularly that of Rama and Sita. It challenges the reader to consider the epic from different perspectives and encourages a more nuanced interpretation of the events and their significance.While “Ramayana Unravelled” is a commendable effort to shed light on the Ramayana’s many layers, it occasionally lacks the depth that a subject of this magnitude deserves. Some areas could benefit from further elaboration, and there are moments where the narrative feels rushed.Overall, “Ramayana Unravelled” is a valuable addition to the body of work surrounding the Ramayana. It stands out for its clarity and the author’s ability to engage with the source material in a meaningful way. I would recommend it to anyone looking to gain a new perspective on an old classic. It’s a solid four-star read that leaves you with much to ponder.

What an amazing bookReally loved it 😍

Ami Ganatra, the author of this book, is an engineer with post-graduation in management, as well as a Sanskrit scholar and yoga instructor. After writing an acclaimed book on the Mahabharata, she has turned her attention to the Ramayana.There are many different versions of the Ramayana, but the original Sanskrit text is attributed to Rishi Valmiki, who was a contemporary of Rama himself. This book is sub-titled “Lesser-known Facets of Rishi Valmiki’s Epic” and the author has taken pains to provide detailed references to specific shlokas composed by Valmiki.Every Indian knows the basic story of the Ramayana, but this book provides many details which enable the reader to understand as well as appreciate the events. For example, the reader gets insights into the compulsions faced by Dashrath when he exiled Rama instead of coronating him, the righteous anger of Lakshmana, the devotion shown by Seeta and – above all – the attitude of Rama himself who carried out the unjust order of his father without a trace of anger or malice. Later, there are detailed insights into the character, as well as the actions, of Hanumana, Vali, Jatayu, Ravana, Vibhishana, etc. From a management viewpoint, these are timeless case studies about ethical dilemmas and their resolution.While the author has largely followed Valmiki’s narration, she has highlighted significant differences with other versions of the Ramayana, e.g. “… there is no mention of Lakshmana Rekha in Valmiki Ramayana. The text simply says that Lakshmana left the ashram praying to the forest devatas to protect Seeta.” The author also mentions another popular belief which does not find a place in Valmiki’s Ramayana, “Vali is said to have a boon through which, in face-to-face combat, he obtained half the strength of his opponent and became stronger, leaving the opponent weaker by half. This boon… was the reason for Rama attacking Vali from behind.”The author has commented on certain aspects of the text, e.g. she says that Valmiki described the battle between Rama and Ravana by using ‘Ananvaya Alankar’, a literary device “in which the object compared and the object with which the comparison is made is one and the same. It is used where the object or phenomenon is such that it has no parallel.”Some of the seemingly supernatural events may be allegorical. In other cases, the author has interpreted them with reference to her own technical background, e.g. the ‘Nala Setu’ connecting Lanka with the mainland has been described “not as magic that defies science but as a civil engineering project par excellence.”Read this book to gather fresh insights into the Ramayana and ponder over its intricacies.

Loved the format. It's an interesting commentary on Ramayana.

if you want a good gist of Valmiki Ramayan and how this itihas compares with other versions and popular stories this is the book to read. Just loved it completely!