Adhyatma Ramayanam: 2 volumes
author: K. P. A. Menon
edition: 2003, Nag Publishers
pages: 2642
language: English
ISBN-10: 8170813832
ISBN-13: 9788170813835
Topic: Ramayana
Summary: The Adhyatma Ramayanam is a separate edition of the Ramayana belonging to the Advaita-Vedanta school of philosophy and focuses on spirituality. While the core content is ultimately derived from the famous Sanskrit epic (authored by Valmiki), the Adhyatma Ramayanam (Ramayana) is written around the 13th century.
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Introduction:
About the Book [Part-I]:The Adhyatma Ramayanam is as the title would indicate a spiritual version of the Ramayanam. While Valmiki Ramayanam as an Itihasa was composed with the objectives of giving proper advice on all the four goals of life, Dharma, Arth, kama and Moksa, the Adhyatma version is primarily concerned with the last and final goal. Devotion to the feet of the Supreme Lord in the form of Rama is the surest and easiest means of achieving this objective. To give it a special sanctity, the whole composition is in the form of a dialogue between Goddess Parvati and her lord Siva who himself is described as the greatest devotee of Rama. Included at a later stage as an appendix to the Bramanda Purana, its actual authorship is still a matter of speculation. A palm leaf manuscript of great antiquity which is an heirloom of the translator's family has been utilized for bringing the most authentic version as prevalent in Kerala.
About the Book [Part-II]:
The Adhyatma version of the Ramayanam is in the form of a dialogue between Uma and Mahesvara in seven parts described as Kandas. Though the composer has generally followed Valimiki's version in narrating the story of Rama along with Sita and Laksmana, there are some serious deviations also on occasions. To start with Lord Vishnu is solicited by the Goddess Earth and other two brothers, of the Lord's a conch and discus. In spite of many variations it will appear that ultimately it is a only a modified version of Valimiki epic composed with the objective of giving proper enlightenment on the different paths of liberation, primacy being given to that of devotion. Lord Siva himself refers to it as the quintessence of the Vedas.
Available pages:
Contents of this online book (index):
The full text of the Adhyatma Ramayanam: 2 volumes in English can be quickly summarized in the following table of contents. Becaue these pages are not available to read online, I would recommend you buy the book.
The Truth about Sri Rama [link]
Announcement of the Incarnation [link]
The Incarnation of Sri Rama [link]
Arrival of Visvamitra [link]
Redemption of Ahalya [link]
Marriage with Sita [link]
Overcoming Bhargava Rama [link]
Conversation between Raghava and Narada [link]
Proposal for consecrating Rama [link]
The Obsructed Coronation [link]
Rama's Exile [link]
Rama's Departure to the Forest [link]
Rama at Chitrakuta [link]
King Dasaratha's Demise [link]
Bharata's Arrival [link]
Consecration of the Sandals [link]
The Killing of Viradha [link]
Visit to the Asramas of Sarabhanga and Sutiksna [link]
At the Asrama of the Sage Agastya [link]
Towards Pancavati [link]
Surpanakha's Mutilation [link]
The Commissioning of Mariica [link]
Abduction of Sita [link]
Imancipation of Jatayu [link]
Liberation of Kabandha [link]
At the Hermitage of Sabari [link]
Alliance with Sugriva [link]
The Destruction of Vali [link]
Tara becomes Enlightened [link]
Advice on rituals of Worship [link]
Laksmana's Anger [link]
Search for Sita [link]
Preparing for Self-immolation [link]
The Story of Sampati [link]
Hanuman's Greatness [link]
Hanuman's Crossing the Ocean [link]
Hanuman's Search for Sita [link]
Delivering Srirama's Message [link]
Burning of Lanka [link]
Hanuman's Return [link]
The Army of Monkeys March to Lanka [link]
Vibhisana's Expulsion [link]
Vibhisana Approaches Rama for Shelter [link]
Bridging the Ocean [link]
The Battle Begins [link]
Kalanemi's Mission [link]
Hanuman in Search of the divine Medicine [link]
The Killing of Kumbhakarna [link]
The Killing of Indrajit [link]
Obstructing the Homa of Ravana [link]
The Killing of Ravana [link]
Sita's Fire Ordeal [link]
Hymns Celestials in Praise of Rama [link]
Rama's Return to Ayodhya [link]
The Coronation of Srirama [link]
The Glory of Rama's Reign [link]
The Origin of Racana and other Raksasas [link]
Ravana's Conquests [link]
The origin of Vali and Surgiva [link]
Sita abandoned [link]
Srirama Gita [link]
The Killing of Lavanasura and the Birth of Kusa and Lava [link]
The Glory of Sita [link]
Laksmana's Expulsion [link]
Attainment of Heaven [link]