The work presents in a critical and analytical way a comprehensive picture of ancient Indian culture and civilization as reflected in the Ramayana of Valmiki. In forming an estimate of the social and political consciousness of the Ramayanic people the author has not been guided by the obiter dicta interspersed throughout the poem but by the actual behaviour of the various characters of the poem. In his treatment of every social and political institution the author has tried to give in the beginning a brief resume of its evolution from the vedic times to the epic period.

"Part of the 'Ramayana of Valmiki', this book recounts the adventures of the monkey hero Hanuman in leaping across the ocean to the island citadel of Lanka. It describes the opulence of the court of the demon king, Ravana, the beauty of his harem, and the deformity of Sita's wardresses. It contains an introduction, notes, and a bibliography." --

Discourses on an ancient Sanskrit epic.

The sixth book of the Ramayana of Valmiki, the Yuddhakanda, recounts the final dramatic war between the forces of good led by the exiled prince Rama, and the forces of evil commanded by the arch demon Ravana. The hero Rama's primary purpose in the battle is to rescue the abducted princess Sita and destroy the demon king. However, the confrontation also marks the turning point for the divine mission of the Ramavatara, the incarnation of Lord Visnu as a human prince, who will restore righteousness to a world on the brink of chaos. The book ends with the gods' revelation to Rama of his true divine nature, his emotional reunion with his beloved wife, his long-delayed consecration as king of Kosala, and his restoration of a utopian age. The Yuddhakanda contains some of the most extraordinary events and larger-than-life characters to be found anywhere in world literature. This sixth volume in the critical edition and translation of the Valmiki Ramayana includes an extensive introduction, exhaustive notes, and a comprehensive bibliography.

Over the ages, a number of versions of the Ramayan have been written by great sages such as Valmiki and Tulsidas. All versions provide a multidimensional view of the perfect life. In Living Thoughts of the Ramayana, Sukhadeva enlightens the reader about the real nature of the man and the world. He aims at reforming the present worldconsciousness and ultimately creating universal peace and happiness. Notably free from doctrines, this work is a penetrating study of the importance of the Ramayana and its relevance to social structures, political administration and spirituality. The teachings of Swami Vivelananada are also an important source of inspiration for the author. All readers will enrich their live both materially and spiritually by reading this unique work.