In eternal dusk a ravaged Mandodari sits waiting... sitting there, alone a thousand years… scarred and naked without a shred of clothing, no defense against the elements, animal or man - questioning fate - challenging the ultimate. Her body filled with scars stand testimony to her suffering. Her desolate surroundings echo death and destruction. What were the sins committed by her to warrant such a punishment? Was it the hand of God or man? Would her silence reveal the answer? For the first time, after a thousand years Mandodari breaks her silence… She opens up with the secrets of her life. Was it a regular childhood she had? An ordinary husband? Was an ordinary life possible with Ravana, the great Lord of Lankapuri as her husband? Oh! Ravana – the name that brings loath and fear. Who was he? Did he really have ten heads? Was he the jealous, lustful and selfish one as history says? Is Ravana really an evil demon as he is being portrayed? Was Ravana a loser, just because he didn’t win the war? Was it an ethical war? Why was he murdered? Was it fair dragging Mandodari naked and molesting her in front of the whole army? Who was to blame, Rama or Ravana? Or was it her karma? Who decides karma? Is it always right? It is only Mandodari, who can explain… Enough! The questions of a thousand years will be answered now. History will be re-written. This story is not Ramayana. It is Ravanayana . . . Yes, it is Mandodari’s Ravanayana. . .

Borrowing from Sanghadasa's Jaina version of the Ramayana, Mandodari-one of the least known characters of the Hindu epic-is finally given a voice. Considered to be one of the most beautiful apsaras, she was married off to the mighty Ravana, the legendary king of Lanka. In her story, she speaks about her struggles after her marriage, her insecurities and her pious nature that challenged her husband's growing aspirations. She narrates the rise of Ravana's power and the blunders he made that ultimately caused the downfall of Lanka. Despite her husband's faults, Mandodari loved him and advised him to follow the path of righteousness. Ravana's defeat in a thirteen-day war turned him into a villain. But what if he were the real hero on his side of the war? What if his downfall was a result of scheming to push him out of power? This is Mandodari's story.

The stupendous work by Kavalam Balachandran, in which he endeavours to demythify and reconstrue the saga of Ramayana from a diametrically opposite perspective, is a landmark event. Indeed, it is the fruit of a long haul of research, imagination and logical thought process by which faces, places and events are reoriented to concoct a plausible narrative. Do read it to the end, as this genre of books does not happen every now and then. -Dr. Alex Paikada Writer, Historian and Poet

The volume contains thirty contributions to the theme of the classical Indian epic Ramayana. These are revised and occasionally enlarged versions of papers read at the International Ramanaya Conference, held at the University of Leuven in July 1991 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sanskrit and Indological studies in Leuven and in Belgium. The annotated papers, in English, have been grouped in three chapters: 1. Valmiki's Ramayana and Sanskrit epic literature; 2. International impact: translations and adaptations, reception of Sanskrit language and literature in the scholarly world; 3. Universal human values in Ramayana. The index of names, titles and key words will prove useful for reference and occasional cross-reference.

This translation originally published: 1976.

This book is based on the dynasty of Ishvanku ‘s rullar life story and the origin of the Ikshvaku dynasty along with the life story and struggle of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Here ,the author only considered the human features and characters of Lord Rama. As Lord Rama was considered the greatest king of Ikshvaku dynasty, though there are many great kings who were born in this gynecology, but the way Rama followed his commitment and truthfulness, he became immortal on the earth and god-like futures. The scarification of Rama and Sita and their ascetic life give steer people to become decent men. Though there were many great kings like Ishvanku, Mandhata, Bhagirathi, Dileepa and Harishchandra in this great dynasty, the god-like feature of Rama is always adorable for everyone. Rama was not only a decent son, a husband , brother ,king and father but also a great solitaire and successful ruler of Kosala.)

Indian mythology is a teeming storehouse of heroes and heroines, who are psychological studies in themselves. Did you know, for instance, how Krishna’s son, who was his father’s alter ego, tackled the curse to be the destroyer of his entire clan? Did you know that sage Gargi was the only lady amongst legendary sages who competed for the prize for the greatest sage in the sub-continent? Did you know that Sahadev, the youngest Pandava, had qualities lacking in any of his other, better-known brothers? Did you know that Shakuni is actually a tragic hero? Myth and the Mind is a collection of six short stories about very interesting personalities in Indian mythology. These men and women are all great, and they are all human beings in whom we will all discover a small part of ourselves.