Series:Ramayana-The Game Of Life
Book Name: Rise of the Sun Prince
Author: Shubha Vilas
Publisher: Jaico Publishers
Price: Rs.250
The story begins with
the luminous Valimiki muni who seeks
to understand the true qualities that make a hero. Can a hero be virtuous and
at the same time powerful, grateful, determined, truthful and compassionate?
Can he display exemplary conduct and benevolence, wisdom and competence, self
satisfaction and courage? Can such a person be radiant in beauty and at the
same time free from vices? The book begins with the quest for a hero who is
all-perfect and enlightenment dawns as the all-encompassing Lord Rama. So when
Lord Brahma manifests himself to entrust Valmiki with the responsibility to
render the saga of Lord Rama in verse, the epic Ramayana is born.
What makes the saga
truly fascinating is that it traces the lives of all its characters; their
vices and penances, their tragedies and salvation. The infamous Ratnakar who
finds peace chanting ‘Mara’ and becomes the spiritual master Valmiki (and yet goes
on to shape the epic Indian saga Ramayana), the bereft Lava and Kusha who traverse
the lands singing praises of their father Rama, the lonely Rama who listens to
their ballad unaware that they are his own sons recounting his glory start off the story enchantingly and we are transported to the celebrated days of
Dasaratha as Lava and Kusha narrate the Ramayana.
Book One of the six
volume Ramayana-The Game of Life draws inspiration from Valmiki Ramayana’s
Bala Kanda. So does Bala Kanda trace Rama’s childhood? Is he the central hero
of Rise of the Sun Prince? The answer is no. The hero of this book is
Vishwamitra, the imperfect sage who fights his inner battles and rises from an
angry sage (bala) to a purposeful spiritualist. The imperfect teacher, whilst
mentoring Rama and Lakshmana, discovers true devotion under Lord Vishnu
incarnate Rama.
Dasaratha fights his
own inner demons as father and king while Sita walks a thin line between love
and convention as the ever-abiding dutiful wife. The footnotes in the book
decode the eternal wisdom of this saga and its thought-provoking directives.
The narrative is gripping and I’m unable to find flaws in the story for
Ramayana is in our blood and we can read this saga again and again without
exhausting the wisdom and resources that are to be gained from this epic.
So what makes
Ramayana-The Game of Life so different from other tales retold time and again?
For me the difference lies in the insight that the author takes time to reveal
through the characters and their deeds in the story. For me the difference lies
in visualising Vishwamitra as the hero under the overpowering presence of Lord
Rama. And most importantly, the difference to me lies in the perception and
knowledge that I have gained from the story. Till yesterday, Ramayana to me was
a saga; today, it is a pot brimming with wisdom.
Do take time to read
this book for what can be more fascinating than reliving your history? What can
be more fascinating than the Ramayana that has enthralled us yet time and
again?
Well written review, Anusree. I have been seeing this book in couple of place and was wondering how it would be like :) I guess I shall have to wait for the rest of the series before buying it as I hate reading just one and being left hanging.
ReplyDeleteHaha.. Ya wait for the series!! I'm waiting too!! :* ;)
DeleteQuite a number of reviews about this book. Yet to read this, Anu...
ReplyDeleteThe Ramayana is definitely a must-read.
Yes it is Anita.. Do read it! Its awesome.. :)
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