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http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/br/stories/2003070800030300.htm

Study of Ramayana 

RAMAPIRANAI KARPOM (Tamil): Paravakkottai Srimad Andavan Gopala
Desika Mahadesikan; Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam, 43-A/13, Asramam
Road, Srirangam, Tiruchi - 620006. Rs. 250. 

IN THE book under review, the great and versatile scholar, Sri
Parvakottai Andavan Swami, deals with the Ayodhya Kanda of Ramayana.
Of the seven Kandas, the Ayodhya Kanda is full of suspense and
unexpected twists and turn of events, like the proposed coronation of
Rama and subsequent cancellation, Rama's repairing to the forests,
Dasaratha's death, failure of Bharata's efforts to bring back Rama
from the forest and the eventual coronation of Rama's sandals. 

The contents of the book had earlier appeared serially in a Tamil
magazine and it is a pleasure now to read the same in book form,
which is a sequel to the earlier book, dealing with Balakanda of the
Ramayana, titled Sita Kalyanam. 

The book opens with Dasaratha's desire and decision to crown his
darling son, Rama. The learned author takes up important slokas from
the Valmiki Ramayana and furnishes elegant and detailed
interpretation, maintaining continuity of the sequential events. 

Quoting profusely from the Kamba Ramayana and the Tirukkural, he
compares and contrasts the intricate and finer points found in these
treasures. 

Apt and illustrative stories are recounted at appropriate places, to
prove the point. Such stories, as a diversion, sustain the reader's
interest and act like spices, in kindling his attention. 

Pertinent passages are quoted from Ananda Ramayana, Adhyatma Ramayana
and Bhoja Champu at several places and their implications are
explained, synthesising the same with the main stream of events. 

The two important points of Vaishnavite philosophy viz.
self-surrender and service to devotees of God are highlighted at
appropriate places, drawing parallels from other holy texts. The
titles given to each chapter are themselves interesting and pregnant
with meaning. 

The several alternative interpretations given by the author to two of
the famous slokas in Valmiki Ramayana viz... "Striyam purusha
vigraham" (Ayodhya Kanda 30-3) and "Ramam Dasaratham Viddhi... "
(Ayodhya Kanda 40-9) are novel, engrossing and thought provoking. 

Rama's comprehensive and elaborate advice to Bharata on the duties
and responsibilities of the ruler of the country is of perennial
interest and importance and is applicable even today. 

Some of the quotations have been given without indicating the source.
It would have been useful if the source had been indicated. Similarly
the exact verse number in the Kamba Ramayana could have been given,
in addition to indicating the chapter (as has been done). 

While transliterating the Sanskrit verses in Tamil, words have not
been properly separated and spaced out in many places. 

Colour photos of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman in the several
famous temples adorn the book, providing a visual treat. 

The beauty of the book lies in that the Swami explains even intricate
and difficult points in simple Tamil, which can be understood and
appreciated by all. 

V.N. GOPALA DESIKACHARIAR 

________________________________________________________________________
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