Ramayana: The Hymns of Himalaya

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I have had the privilege of cursorily going through the pages of this great work. Learned Author, otherwise, an expert in mitigating disability, bringing comfort to mankind, in his maiden effort has done a commendable job. His great work depicts how medical science is intertwined with spirituality and Vedic Science. At long last, India has once again produced a writer of international caliber, who would win the highest laurels for his country. The story is unfolded in a lucid and interesting style. Reader gets completely involved in the verses, ultimately translated into inner satisfaction of oneness and harmony towards mankind. Lord Ram's depiction as the man of Dharma has philosophical underpinnings. The spiritual guidance offered by the poem is unmatched and is elucidated upon in the line--"Where wrong prevails and truth fails flat, There swift and sure cometh doomed fate." In this age of excessive individualism and materialism the work presents us with questions which are food for thought. It delves deeply into the ever elusive proposition of who the real Self is and what is Bhakti? The answers provided are surprisingly simplistic. The work introduces the readers to the deep spiritual message contained in the Epic and its presentation broadens our horizons on our ancient wisdom which is our true heritage. I am not only sure but confident that it would be received well by the Readers.

Pen in hand I wonder if I can really do justice in expressing my deepest thoughts of admiration, awe and ecstacy that were aroused as I perused through the pages of this wonderful miracle of expression both in content and in form. The Ramayan is suffused with a peculiar universality. The Author, who spent some seven years of his precious life in putting this epic into English verse form, has really rendered a yeoman's service not only to the present generation but also to hundreds of generations yet to see the light of the day. The ideal characters represented in this great work present a true picture of the Indian way of life-a way of life that is sure to serve as a beacon light to millions and billions of people who seem to have been lost in the mad, cut throat race of commercialism, lust and materialism. 1 congratulate the poet of epic for having so assiduously worked on this great work and having brought out a wonderful treatise written in excellent, flawless verse using simple English diction and a commendable style.

Enough!...!! Let's talk spirituality now. Enough we have talked of energy, nuclear power, weapons, weapons against weapons, ozone layer, strokes, drugs, life beyond and so on.

Now, let's talk spirituality, all above sects, faiths, paths and fragments of religions and its man-made cruelty. Divorced from God, we have endless hunger for lust and greed. May the hunger for Truth prevail, now.

Spirituality is the life-blood of India, the ancient land, where wisdom (the Gyaan) made its first home before it went into other parts of the globe. The great seers of ancient India saw so far ahead of their time that the world has to wait centuries yet to appreciate their wisdom.

Let's talk about the approach of those pure seers and seekers of this land of uplifted mankind. Let's explore into India and Indian valley of civilisation, by the rolling rivers, by the pinnacles of temples, by the chanting Ashrams, on the material planes as well; from sub- Himalayan terrains to the ghats of the three oceans, having geographical limits of the land frame.

Let's visualise into the vast treasure of India through the window of the epic, 'Ramayan', the very temple among books. From the time of the ancient bard Valmiki, the Ramayan has been told retold and retold in many ways, in many a languages of the world. The poetic excellence of Valmiki can be seen reflected in the later poets of different parts of India, who have chanted hymns of Ramayan in their own tongue e.g. Ezhuthachan (Malayalam), Kamban (Tamil), Shri Moll (Telugu) and many more, to come to Ramcharitmanas of Goswami Tulsidas, who had poured 'Bhakti; (the devotion with surrender) to it's brimming level.

Through the present work the author has done a signal service to both modern English literature as well as to the cause of spiritual awakening by presenting a versified version of the unique epic "Ramayana".

Dr. Gumashta's creative rendering "Ramayan - the hymns of Himalaya" is the latest literary work on the Ramayana. Casting a glance at both prose and poem, verbal translations, and original and imaginative rendering spread all over the world literature, both classical and modern, Ramayan has no equals. The tradition still continues unabated as we see in these latest poems.

Ramayan, universally accepted as the Adikavya or epic, has fascinated people of all countries and of all times. So far as countries of the Asian continent are concerned, Ramayan has not only captured their imagination but also influenced profoundly their creativity and produced everlasting contributions in all fields of life. The reason for this phenomenon is not far to seek. It is deeply ingrained in human nature. Man is potentially Divine. There is a dominant desire in every individual to manifest this spark of divinity. He seeks out ways and means to express the same. He yearns for perfection. Perfection can be achieved by emulating persons who are embodiments of such perfection. The quest for such icons is inherent in the heart of every man. It is this quest that makes Ramayan so attractive, and so fascinating, and draws people everywhere to the personality of Sri Ramachandra, who was the very personification of the highest ideal one can imagine. In fact, that is how the story begins. Valmiki, the first among poets, asked the all-knowing Narada about such an ideal person with no faults or foibles. Unhesitatingly Narada pointed out Sri Ramachandra as the "Maryada Purushothama". He epitomised the highest perfection that man is capable of achieving.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages