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"Valmiki's Ramayana" by Arshia Sattar

book review by Riley Burnham 3/9/2023

wow(!!!!) so glad i bought/read this one

a Hindu epic, along the lines of the Odyssey, Iliad, & King Arthur... this tells the story of the journey of Rama, from his heavenly throne to his mortal life on Earth... extremely good

Rama upholds dharma, which is god's law, & so is archetypically wise & diligent; in addition to his near-immortality [he fights tens of thousands of Rakshasas alone]

aided & accompanied by friends ranging from kings to sages to gods themselves, Rama meets monkeys who guide him to his stolen beloved Sita

this book features the exploits & heroism of Hanuman, the son of the wind god Vayu, as he jumps across the ocean to Lanka, where Ravana [king of wealth's brother] lives on his fortified island

Hanuman is considered as the epitome of devotion, which is an example of the colorful & interesting characters presented here -- likewise w/ Rama's brother Lakshmana, who is his right-hand man & devoted servant; loved beyond self

really i'd just have to recommend this book to anyone -- fun & good(!!)