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Ramayana is an unimaginably ancient epic poem, translated here into beautiful English prose. It does not present Hindu theology-- to glimpse Hinduism's ancient essence, one must attempt to understand the more impenetrable Upanishads. Rather, Ramayana presents in a literary, or fictional, work all of the values of right conduct, or 'dharma,' that are essential to happiness in all the worlds. The story so remarkably resembles Homer's The Illiad that it is difficult to believe some ancient wandering poet did not export the story to the near eastern culture of ancient Greece, many centuries after it began being told amongst Indian poets. Consequently, the values of Ramayana reverberate throughout three millenia of Eastern as well as Western literature. Honoring your father, fogiveness, loyalty to wife and husband irrespective of the hardships, devotion to God, knowing God when you see him, rejection of earthly wealth, and reverence for all of nature. These are but a few of the values, dharma, that revisit the reader through one beautiful character after another. Ramayana is essential reading for any ersatz scholar or well-read mind.
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They say the Bible is the greatest story ever told, but...
A Customeron Jul 24, 1997
In King Lear, a promise given by a foolish old man brings catastrophic changes to the world around him. Likewise, a foolish promise by an elderly king launches the epic Ramayana. Both stories bring forth the depth and strength of the human spirit. King Lear is a tragedy. The Ramayana is also; the author places his noble characters in harm's way to demonstrate their greatness. The Ramayana's chief purpose is to demonstrate the proper exercise of Dharma, the Hindu principle that is often loosely translated as 'Law'. The protagonist, Rama, his wife, Sita, his brothers and the army of animals they enlist show through their actions how life is to be spent in the service of truth. Here's the plot (not to give away too much). Rama's father, King Dasratha promises two boons to his youngest wife Kaikeyi. Dasratha abdicates, intending to make Rama king, but Kaikeyi uses her boons on the eve of Rama's ascension to the throne, one to make her son Bharatha king in Rama's stead, the second to banish Rama for 15 years. The king wants to renege on his promises, but Rama refuses to let this happen. He leaves the kingdom willingly. Rama, Sita and Rama's brother Lakshmana live in the jungle for 15 years, in the course of this time, Sita is kidnapped by daemons bent on destroying the world. Rama enlists the help of the bear and monkey kings to recapture her and this is the heart of the story. Now, what makes this story is its characters and their courage. Rama will never break a promise, even when it may cost him his life. Sita and Lakshmana leave the palace for a life spent wearing the bark of trees. The animals, especially the immortal monkey, Hanuman, inspired by the love between Rama and Sita, fight ferociously against their much more powerful foes. They all obey Dharma and their difficult task is the moral lesson of this religious text. What's interesting about Hinduism and the Ramayana in particular is its existential nature. The daemons are masters of Maya, the illusion of the material world. Maya is the daemons' most powerful weapon, they create a disorienting world in which there is precious little grounding. Where does a person find roots in such a world? The Ramayana gives us the example of Rama and the adherence to whatever truth we can find. Practice truth, fight deception, join in the struggle of the world to be conscious of itself. So what is real? For me, the most dramatic incident is one in which the fierce, brave, Hanuman answers the question. Rama gives Hanuman a bracelet as a gift. Hanuman tears it to bits. Rama asks why. Hanuman says, 'though this bracelet looks expensive, it was really worthless, for nowhere on it did it bear your name.' Someone asks Hanuman, 'Why don't you destroy your body as well?'. Hanuman rends his flesh and there, on his bones are the words, 'Rama, Rama, Rama, Rama'. So, too, your computer has become an instrument of truth. Read this book, it is incredible.<P
A Yankee who truly loved and reverenced this Eastern Epic
By Harinder Jadwanion Nov 19, 2002
William Buck's Ramayana is beyond magnificent. He discovered Eastern mythology in 1955 through a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, set himself to learn Sanskrit, and devoted himself to a truly profound study of them. He captures, more than most Indian translators, the spirit of this epic, which (along with the Mahabharata) is the foundation of Indian culture. Buck truly loves the characters and the meaning of the story. He takes a few liberties with detail, but none of these changes alter his overall fidelity to the original composer's intent. He not only captures the wonder and magic of the story, but by his rendering, shows why it continues (unlike, say, the Greek myths which only educated elite in the West might concern themselves with) to enchant the population (even the illiterate) of India, and fill it with unshaken faith in the protagonist, Shri Rama. Nothing, not the Iliad or Odyssey, nor the Tolkien or Wagnerian Rings, can come close to the spiritual and mystical endurance of this tale.
Like Mr. Buck's other retelling - The Mahabharata - The Ramayana is a wonderfully boiled down version of a classic Indian tale. It's a great introduction. Also the illustrations are wonderful in the California Press reprints. I love Hanuman particularly as he is drawn most delicately.
I was enthralled with this story years ago and continue to be. This condensed translation I think is excellent because it allows those who don't want to read an exhaustively long original version to experience this masterpiece of mythology. As an influencial piece in Hindu culture, understanding this writing is crucial for understanding human nature. But I am appalled by the writer from October 2003 who ignorantly trashes the Ramayana and in doing so the whole Hindu culture. Sure there are parts of the Hindu culture that are hard to understand--but must I point out the Christianity is not the easiest to understand? A culture that promotes peace and loving thy brother only if they are Christian--if not kill them--is not one I find any easier to understand than culture that promotes turning away from a raped woman. Oh, and let's not forget the Crusades. Christianity is chock-full of war, rape, and killing--it is called the Old Testament. Importantly, if some readers are constantly turning their mind to their own lives while reading a delicious piece of historical art such as the Ramayana, maybe they should open their minds, realize that these were tales told to teach and build morals (like don't rape women or bad things will happen), and try to learn from other cultures--not to criticize everything your close mind cannot comprehend. So, pick up a copy of this classic for a cultural experience that you'll be thinking about long after you have finished it.
Not only is this book a wonderful read, for students of comparitive mythology it is an invaluable extraction of the key elements of one of the greatest epics of all time. What Buck does is filter out the religious sections, an insurmountable barrier to any but the most dedicated students of theology, and focus in on the narrative. The reslut is the bridge that brings this critically important Eastern perspective on the Epic to western lovers of such works as the Iliad. Do not miss adding this to your library.
I have grown up on the stories of the Mahabarata and Ramayana and I find Bucks's translation to be exceptional. It is easy to read,understand, and for the most part sticks to the true version of the story.
William Buck's translation of Ramayana is a wonderful retelling of an old epic. His interpretation is not scholarly; there are places where Buck's interpretation differs from what the text says. However, these differences are firmly within the tradition of the storyteller, who modifies his stories to suit the audience. Buck is a storyteller, not a scholar. His book should be approached as entertainment, not as a reference. Buck's tone throughout is warm and friendly, humorous and poignant. He manages to bring to life - convincingly - deities, demons, and an army of wild animals. There is humor, wisdom, drama, playfulness, the whole range of human emotions in this retelling. Buck has done a wonderful job of offering us a glimpse into Eastern mythology.
I was first curious about this epic when I read that Sri David Hawkins, in his Power vs Force book, using kinesiology, had given this classic a fantastic rating, 810, a very high consciousness rating, higher than the Bible. So I was wondering why? How could it be? I found out when I read William Buck's retelling of the story, but only because I had this question in mind from the beginning. Because, the thing is, most people reading this, are going to just read it for the story on the surface, and look no farther. They will just read it as the fairy tale that it is, the life of Rama, and see it as no more than this, and otherwise irrelevant. But looking deeper I discovered that this is much more than a fairy tale. It is an allegory, an allegory of ourselves. And this is hugely interesting and relevant. We ourselves are the monster here, potentially; and we are the Divine here, in battle with our monster selves, and it is a life battle. And Sita? This is the rub for most Westerners. Reading the book simply as a superficial story, Rama, the Divine, comes off very badly. But discovering that this is an allegory, we begin to see that this ending is very appropriate. Sita stands for Nature, Prakriti. She is of, and from, the earth. She is born from the earth and returns to the earth, Mother Earth. Rama is spirit itself and must remain Spirit; Spirit and Nature must part company. That is the spiritual endeavor, and that is what we have. Rama and Sita, Spirit and Nature parting company leaving Spirit alone for the remaining years. Very appropriate and how the story should end: Rama vindicated and Divine. Seen in this way, we see that calling Rama, Rama, the mantra, means we are calling our deeper Self, with a capital S. Calling the Reality of our Selves. The Divine Self kills the small monster self, the ego self. And what could be greater than seeing this epic in this way. It's all about ourselves.
I first read Buck's retelling (this is NOT a translation, it is a reimagining of the story) when I was about twelve, and have worn out my original fifty year old hardcover copy re-reading it. This will not disappoint and serves as a worthwhile introduction to one of the greatest human fantasies ever conceived. Do take the trouble sometime to find a real translation, though, and compare - you'll see what Buck left out (and what he added in).
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William Buck offers readers a wonderfully authentic but Western version of one of the greatest works of Indian literature. He captures the essence of the tale in a dramatic and poetic retelling of this age-old story. It is not a translation as such, but a deeply illuminating re-expression of this powerful allegory of the struggle between good and evil, between gods and demons.
Best version of the Ramayana since Valmiki's 3 volumn set, which is lush but tedious. Wm Buck tells it beautifully with more detail than you find in ordinary translations of the Tulsidas version.
I initially read this for a class in college. This is by far one of the most awesome (in awe insipiring sense) stories I have ever had the please of reading. The fantastical and absurd happenings in this story are most captivating. The imagination of this culture is mesmerizing. Thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so that I lost my original years ago and found the same one here. Btw, this translation is really easy to follow and understand. I'm sure there's others out there but Buck's interpretation is smooth.
Item arrived promptly and am very excited to read it. I have read William Buck's Mahabharata and he is an excellent writer. Love reading Indian books in a way that relates to today's reader.
The Ramayana is exceedingly good and this was a good and inexpensive translation. However, I should point out that this is printed in prose rather than poetic form.
Good
Great Story well written
Good condition, suits me for my college class.