TAMIL
Epic of Tulasidas
C. L. Ramakrishnan
TULASI RAMAYANAM: Rajam Mahadevan; Pub. by Sri Bhagavath Pada Seva, 16 D, Asha Aprts, Second Street, Tatabed, Coimbatore-641012.
Rs. 250.
THIS BOOK is a facile rendering of Goswami Tulasidas' Ramacharitamanas in simple, flowing Tamil and has widened the reach of this classic to the public. Tulasidas work in `braj bhasha' has seven cantos, as the Valmiki Ramayana. But a couple of cantos have different names such as Lanka Kanda and Lava Kusa Kanda. Moreover, there is variation in the sequence and content in some of the episodes. The author's reference to the text as `manasam' incidentally reveals her devotion to it and its indelible impression on her.
The work is divided into convenient units for reading it in a month. Many philosophical concepts have been explained at suitable places, reminiscent of the statements in the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Towards the end of the book is a conversation between Garuda and Sage Kakapusundi where several doctrines of deep import are discussed, which, in a way, appears to be the essence of the epic.
The glory of chanting the Lord's name has been mentioned, thus stressing the path of devotion. The Hanuman Chalisa aptly supplements the book.
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