Many Myths, Many Truths

The narrative reminds us of universal truths that have existed since the dawn of civilisation

- SHEVLIN SEBASTIAN

In the foreword of Many Ramayanas, Many Lessons, Lauthor Anand Neelakantan states how the impact of the Ramayanas on Southeast Asia has been the most profound. The Ramayana remains 'a holy book for spiritual practice, a guide for value education, as well as an ever-popular source of entertainment'. The author also offers a disclaimer. He says this was not a research book, 'but a mere collection of thoughts, tales and lore of a humble writer'.

The book begins with how the thief Ratnakara meets Sage Narada and plans to rob his Veena. Sage Narada gets into a conversation with Ratnakara and asks him whether what he is doing is right. Thereafter, they meet the family of Ratnakara, who say they don't support his way of earning a living. A shocked Ratnakara goes into a meditative silence, murmuring Rama Rama, as instructed by Sage Narada, by the banks of the River Tamasa. Years later, he becomes a saint. Sage Narada named him Valmiki and asked him to spread the knowledge he had gained.