Many Ramayanas, Many Lessons by Anand Neelakantan | Book Review
This book presents insightful stories from our epic. I enjoyed reading the ones involving Ravana and the Vanaras, as they are my favorites. Just like the title, these are not mere stories, but a lot of lessons are imparted through Ramayana.
But despite the constraints of time and the need for brevity, Neelakantan has been able to touch upon the important events in the life of Lord Rama and has interspersed the text with the lofty philosophical lessons that we can draw from this divine epic.
He throws light on the enduring life lessons that we can draw from this magnum opus. The nuggets of moral lessons the author highlights truly sparkle all through the narrative. The recurrent theme that forms a common thread all through the narrative is the concept of “Karma” and “Karma Phala” – the unending cycle of action and the results of those actions. In the Hindu concept, even Gods are not spared the negative impact of any undesirable act that has knowingly or unknowingly been committed by them.
As we know, there are many versions of Ramayanas, and the one in the book is the one that Anand was raised with, from his father, tending towards Valmiki's version. Reading Ramayana from Anand is a different vibe itself. His excellent knack of storytelling elevates the spirit of reading. This is the main reason I recommend young adults to read his books.
As we know, there are many versions of Ramayanas, and the one in the book is the one that Anand was raised with, from his father, tending towards Valmiki's version. Reading Ramayana from Anand is a different vibe itself. His excellent knack of storytelling elevates the spirit of reading. This is the main reason I recommend young adults to read his books.
Overall, Neelakantan’s Many Ramayanas, Many Lessons is more than just a retelling—it is a scholarly yet accessible exploration of how mythology adapts to time, place, and ideology. With his signature engaging style, the author presents well-researched insights that shed light on lesser-known aspects of the Ramayana, making this book a must-read for history buffs, mythology lovers, and cultural enthusiasts alike.
This entire book was an absolute delight. Reading this helped me brush up my basics and keep up my knowledge. The writing is simple and keeps the readers going.
This entire book was an absolute delight. Reading this helped me brush up my basics and keep up my knowledge. The writing is simple and keeps the readers going.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Purchase Many Ramayanas, Many Lessons here.
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Your insights into how Neelakantan delves into the multifaceted nature of the Ramayana, especially through characters like Ravana and the Vanaras, highlight the depth of his storytelling. I appreciate how you emphasized the author's ability to weave philosophical lessons, particularly the themes of "Karma" and "Karma Phala," into the narrative. Your recommendation for young adults to explore his works, given his engaging storytelling style, is spot-on. This review has definitely piqued my interest in revisiting these timeless epics through Neelakantan's perspective.
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