Though the story of Rama is much loved and well known, questions remain: Why did Rama agree to go to vanvas-was it only to obey his father or was there more to it? What was the relationship between Rama and Seeta? Was Seeta a pitiable, oppressed woman or an assertive woman with her own mind? Is the Ramayana inherently misogynist? What led to the downfall of Ravan? Ramayana Unravelled attempts to draw out insights from the epic as narrated to Rishi Valmiki to answer these and other such questions. It also explores other aspects of the Ramayana such as the events of Rama's youth that shaped his values as a king, Lakshmana's character, Hanumana's wit and the making of the nala-setu.

Dilesh Sudhakar Telwane has revolutionized Asana study with thorough scientific explanations for each asana, from beginner to advanced levels, in unprecedented detail. This book is the culmination of his life’s work on the study and practice of Asanas. Asanas Unravelled: The Comprehensive Asana Manual covers more than 200 asanas. Each posture has a step-by-step explanation, along with modifications, progressions, benefits, contraindications, FAQs and photographs. The highlight of the book is the Q&A section after each asana that deals with all possible queries a practitioner might have. This is a comprehensive asana manual that will prove extremely useful for yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, health professionals, yoga therapists, health coaches and medical practitioners due to the scientific explanations of the techniques and effects of each asana on the human body. Your search for the go-to book for asana practice ends here.

Did Krishna fail in his negotiation skills? Could the war have been avoided? As the two women stood in the court of King Solomon of Israel, both claiming to be the mother of the child, what strategy did the monarch follow to crack the case? Though he couldn't reach the water which was at the bottom of the pitcher, how did the crow in Aesop's fables finally quench his thirst? How did the Zen master make the businessman realise the virtues of having an open mind? When Buddha was insulted by the angry young man, how did he react to the provocation? In a world that is riddled with uncertainties and challenges, just knowing your job may not be enough. It is one thing to read management books and quite another to stay inspired and be on top of your game every day. How do you communicate at work? How do you show empathy? How do you effectively network and build lasting relationships? How can a conflict situation be managed? Can you master the art of getting along with people? Ancient Secrets of Soft Skills Unravelled teaches you all that and brings you stories from the Mahabharata, the teachings of Zen and Buddha, the wisdom of King Solomon, the survival tactics learnt from the Aesop's fables and the author's lived experiences too in an attempt to present soft skills as an essential tool to life skills. Anecdotal and relatable, it brings alive a range of skills and strategies dating back to centuries that are relevant even today, underlining the efficacy of soft skills and the need to acquire it early on in life.

This book has been written with the thought process to synergize ancient teachings of the Ramayana with modern world covering characters of Ramayana and their characteristics in the present corporate world for example Prabhu Shree Ram: Values, ethics and leadership style to be practiced and learned in corporate, professionals, academics and among policy makers. Hanuman Ji as a benchmark in chief executive functions in planning, organizing, dedication, communication and coordination. Jambavant Ji's role as a senior advisor to be replicated in the present system for senior leadership as motivator and strategic planner, Lakshman Ji as strength of valor and wisdom, Angad Ji depicts in negotiation style and international relations. The objective of this book is to propagate Ramayana as an epicenter of management principles in simple terms. This book will also analyze Prabhu Ram and Ravana's style of management.

The Rāmāyana, an ancient epic of India, with audiences across vast stretches of time and geography, continues to influence numberless readers socially and morally through its many re-tellings. Made available in English for the first time, the 16th century version presented here is by Candrāvatī, a woman poet from Bengal. It is a highly individual rendition as a tale told from a woman's point of view which, instead of celebrating masculine heroism, laments the suffering of women caught in the play of male ego. This book presents a translation and commentary on the text, with an extensive introduction that scrutinizes its social and cultural context and correlates its literary identity with its ideological implications. Taken together, the narrative and the critical study offered here expand the understanding both of the history of women’s self-expression in India and the cultural potency of the epic tale. The book is of interest equally to students and researchers of South Asian narratives, Rāmāyana studies and gender issues.

This book is the first to present current scholarship on gender and in regional and sectarian versions of the Rāmāyaṇa. Contributors explore in what ways the versions relate to other Rāmāyaṇa texts as they deal with the female persona and the cultural values implicit in them. Using a wide variety of approaches, both analytical and descriptive, the authors discover common ground between narrative variants even as their diversity is recognized. It offers an analysis in the shaping of the heterogeneous Rāma tradition through time as it can be viewed from the perspective of narrating women's lives. Through the analysis of the representation and treatment of female characters, narrative inventions, structural design, textual variants, and the idiom of composition and technique in art and sculpture are revealed and it is shown what and in which way these alternative versions are unique. A sophisticated exploration of the Rāmāyaṇa, this book is of great interest to academics in the fields of South Asian Studies, Asian Religion, Asian Gender and Cultural Studies.

"Divine Dawning: The Saga of Ramayana" presents the timeless tale of Lord Rama. This poetic journey delves deep into the essence of virtue, epitomized by Rama, a figure revered across ages for his adherence to ethical and moral principles. Throughout the epic, we witness Rama navigating a life filled with trials, yet standing unwaveringly tall against the tempests of adversity. He embodies the ideal son, a devoted husband, a just ruler, and a compassionate brother, showcasing an exemplary character in every aspect of life.The book portrays Rama not just as a legendary hero but as a beacon of ethics, whose actions and decisions provide a guiding light through life's complexities. His conduct in the face of war and conflict highlights his honor and divine nature, even towards his enemies."Divine Dawning: The Saga of Ramayana" transcends mere storytelling to become a vessel of profound life lessons, offering wisdom that resonates beyond religious and temporal boundaries. It encourages the modern reader to explore, internalize, and emulate the virtues exemplified by Rama. This book is not just a recount of an epic; it is a journey through the virtuous saga of a timeless hero, whose ideals continue to inspire and guide humanity through the ages.

In The Kali Ramayana: Volume 1 – The Rise of Shyam, the ancient world of gods, demons, and cosmic forces is brought to life in a stunning modern retelling of mythological fiction. This epic saga follows Shyam, an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary journey of spiritual transformation, cosmic battles, and ultimate destiny. Disillusioned with the monotony of modern life, Shyam embarks on a quest for truth and enlightenment. Guided by Ram and the immortal sage Parashurama, Shyam soon learns that his destiny is intertwined with the cosmic battle between light and darkness. His journey is filled with profound encounters that push him to the limits of his physical, mental, and spiritual capacities. Shyam’s path crosses with powerful allies and terrifying enemies alike. He is protected by Kaalyavana, a celestial guardian who sacrifices himself to save Shyam in moments of peril. Kaalyavana’s undying loyalty becomes a beacon of hope as Shyam faces insurmountable odds. The celestial arbiter of karma, Shani, challenges Shyam to confront the karmic debts of his past, pushing him to reckon with his soul’s imperfections. Through these trials, Shyam learns the weight of karma and the importance of transcending his inner flaws. Shyam also finds guidance from the mighty Hanuman, whose immortality is restored by Shyam’s sacrifice. Hanuman serves as a mentor, preparing Shyam for the cosmic battles ahead, while Ayyappa, the embodiment of balance and righteousness, leads Shyam to spiritual revelations that deepen his understanding of divinity and discipline. At the heart of this epic tale is the rise of the dark lord Kali, who threatens to plunge the world into chaos and destruction. As the embodiment of cosmic justice, Kaala Bhairava steps in to halt the conflict, wielding his divine power to restore balance in the universe. With each encounter, Shyam edges closer to fulfilling the prophecy of Kalki, Vishnu’s final avatar, who will bring an end to the dark age of Kali Yuga. But first, Shyam must confront the shadows within himself and the forces of destruction that rise to meet him.

The Rāmāyaṇa traditions of South India and Southeast Asia are examined at multiple levels in this volume. The research presented here offers in-depth investigations of chosen moments in the development of the epic tradition together with broader trends that help in understanding the epic’s multivalence. The journey and localization of the Rāmāyaṇa is explored in its manifold expressions – from classical to folk, from temples and palaces to theatres and by-lanes in cities and villages, and from ancient to modern times. Regional Rāmāyaṇas from different parts of South India and Southeast Asia are placed in deliberate juxtaposition to enable a historically informed discussion of their connected pasts across land and seas. The three parts of this volume, organized as visual, literary, and performance cultures, discuss the sculpted, painted, inscribed, written, recited, and performed Rāmāyaṇas. A related emphasis is on the way boundaries of medium and genre have been crossed in the visual, literary, and performed representations of the Rāmāyaṇa. These are rewarding directions of research that have thus far received little attention. Bringing together 19 well-known scholars in Rāmāyaṇa studies from Cambodia, Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, UK, and USA, this thought-provoking and elegantly illustrated volume engages with the inherent plurality, diversity, and adaptability of the Rāmāyaṇa in changing socio-political, religious, and cultural contexts and with shifting norms, tastes, traditions, and ideologies.

Fresh perspectives on the classic Indiana epic.