Ramayana

The Ramayana is one of the most important and revered texts of ancient India. It is an epic poem composed in Sanskrit that tells the story of Rama, a prince and avatar of the god Vishnu, and his wife Sita. The Ramayana is considered to be one of the two great epics of Hinduism, along with the Mahabharata. The story of the Ramayana has been retold and adapted in countless ways over the centuries, and it continues to inspire and captivate people around the world.

The Ramayana is attributed to the sage Valmiki, who is said to have narrated the story of Lord Shri Ramchandra in a poetic format around 500 BCE. The poem is divided into seven books, or kandas, and consists of over 24,000 verses. The Ramayana is a work of great literary and spiritual significance, and it is revered by Hindus as a sacred text.

 

The story of the Ramayana begins with the birth of Rama, the eldest son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. Rama is believed to be an incarnation of the god Vishnu, and he is destined to restore order and justice to the world.

As Rama grows up, he falls in love with Sita, the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila. Sita is known for her beauty and intelligence and is believed to be an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi. Rama and Sita get married in a grand ceremony, and everything seems perfect until one day when Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, kidnaps Sita and takes her to his kingdom.

 

The main conflict of the story revolves around Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, who kidnaps Sita and takes her to his kingdom. Rama, with the help of his loyal brother Lakshmana and the monkey god Hanuman, sets out to rescue Sita and defeat Ravana. The story of the Ramayana is a classic tale of good versus evil, with Rama representing the forces of righteousness and Ravana representing the forces of darkness and chaos.

One of the central themes of the Ramayana is the importance of dharma, or righteous behavior. Rama is portrayed as the ideal ruler, who always acts in accordance with dharma and who is devoted to his duty as a prince and husband. Sita is also portrayed as an ideal wife, who is faithful and devoted to her husband despite the hardships she faces.

The Ramayana is also a story about love and loyalty. Rama and Sita are deeply in love, and their relationship is an example of the ideal marriage. Even when Sita is kidnapped by Ravana, Rama never wavers in his love for her and is determined to rescue her at all costs. Similarly, the relationship between Rama and his brothers is a testament to the power of loyalty and brotherhood.

 

 The Ramayana is also a story about the triumph of good over evil. Ravana is portrayed as a powerful and cunning villain, but in the end he is defeated by the forces of righteousness led by Rama. The story shows that no matter how powerful evil may seem, it will ultimately be overcome by the forces of good.

The Ramayana has had a profound influence on Indian culture and society. It has been retold and adapted in countless ways over the centuries, and it continues to be an important part of Hindu mythology and tradition. The story of the Ramayana has also inspired countless works of art, music, and literature, and it has been a source of inspiration for people around the world.

The Ramayana is also a popular subject in Hindu philosophy and theology. Many scholars have written commentaries on the epic, exploring its various themes and interpretations. The story is also an important part of Hindu religious festivals, such as Diwali, which celebrates Rama's victory over Ravana.

Here are some of the notable authors who have written Ramayana in different languages:

Valmiki: The original version of the Ramayana was written by the sage Valmiki in Sanskrit. It is believed to have been composed around 500 BCE.

Tulsidas: Tulsidas was a medieval poet and saint who wrote the Ramcharitmanas in Hindi. This version of the Ramayana is widely read and revered in North India.

Kamban: Kamban was a Tamil poet who wrote the Kamba Ramayanam in Tamil. This version of the Ramayana is known for its poetic beauty and is considered a classic in Tamil literature.

Ezhuthachan: Ezhuthachan was a Malayalam poet who wrote the Adhyatma Ramayana in Malayalam. This version of the Ramayana is considered one of the most important works of Malayalam literature.

Sarala Das: Sarala Das was a 15th century Odia poet who wrote the Vilanka Ramayana in Odia. This version of the Ramayana is known for its unique style and has influenced Odia literature for centuries.

Madhava Kandali: Madhava Kandali was a 14th century Assamese poet who wrote the Kotha Ramayana in Assamese. This version of the Ramayana is notable for its simplicity and accessibility.

Ranganatha Ramayanam: Ranganatha Ramayanam is a Telugu version of the Ramayana written by the poet Gona Budda Reddy in the 14th century. This version is known for its lyrical quality and is considered a classic in Telugu literature.

Pampa: Pampa was a Kannada poet who wrote the Pampa Ramayana (a Jain version of the Hindu epic Ramayana called Ramachandra Charitapurana ) in Kannada. This version of the Ramayana is known for its poetic beauty and has been praised for its ability to convey complex philosophical ideas in simple language.

The Ramayana has been translated into dozens of languages and dialects, and continues to inspire writers and artists across India and beyond.

 

About the Author 

Physical Books over E Readers

Reading books was a hobby in our family from our childhood days. My earliest memory of reading books dates back to the mid-1970s when my mother would buy Children’s World, Champak, Amar Chitra Katha and Indrajaal comics. Later we joined the local library at Manav Seva Sangh at Sion, which had several Enid Blyton, Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew novels.

In the next few years our (Ramu) mama fuelled our passion by introducing us to Alistair Mclean, Agatha Christie, Fredrick Forsyth, Issac Assimov, Jeffrey Archer, R K Narayan, Jules Verne, etc. We added several Indian & foreign authors and different subjects to our repertoire. Over a period of time after reading several authors across genres, hundreds of books, thousands of pages we learnt to identify a good book from the millions available. 

               A customised storage for physical books with arrangement to sit & read in our old house

These were the days of physical books - a traditional book that is made of printed paper or other materials consisting of text and/or image. We used to buy these books typically from bookstores or borrow them from libraries and friends. Now a days these physical books are often used as decorative items, and are normally passed down through generations as family heirlooms.

 

We were first introduced to an e book reader when a family friend suggested gifting a Kindle on my son’s birthday in March 2015. Over a period of time, we got used to reading books in iPad and android tablets. My personal favorite is the Samsung tablet which I am presently using.

An e-reader, or electronic reader, is a device designed for reading electronic books (e-books). It is a handheld device that allows users to read digital versions of books, magazines, and other publications. E-readers typically use electronic ink technology to display the text, which is designed to mimic the appearance of ink on paper. E-readers have a battery life that can last several weeks, and they often offer features such as adjustable font sizes, built-in dictionaries, and the ability to store thousands of books in a single device.

Technology has advanced to a point where it has transformed the way we do almost everything, including reading books. Although e-readers have become more popular in recent years, I still prefer physical books.

Physical books provide a unique sensory experience that e-readers cannot replicate. When you hold a book, you can feel its weight, flip through its pages, and smell the paper and ink. These sensations can make you feel more connected to the book, and enhance your reading experience. E-readers, on the other hand, offer a less engaging reading experience that lacks these physical aspects.

Reading a physical book can reduce eye strain because it doesn't emit blue light like e-readers do. Illumination from e-readers can cause eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns, especially for those who read before bed. So, choosing physical books instead can be a healthier option for one’s eyes and sleep.

Physical books are easier to navigate compared to e-readers. Even though e-readers can hold many books, they can make it difficult to find a specific section or page, or to move back and forth between chapters. With physical books, I find it easy to flip through pages and often use bookmarks or sticky notes to mark the place. This makes it simpler to reference important information or re-read a section that I really enjoy.

 

Reading a physical book can reduce distractions. E-readers can be distracting because they have notifications and social media, which can interrupt one’s reading. Physical books are different because they offer a more immersive reading experience that's free from these distractions. This has helped me focus better and concentrate more, making it easier to fully engage with the book.

Physical books are a better choice for the environment. E-readers need electricity to work, which can harm the environment by creating carbon emissions. Also, e-readers are made of plastic and other materials that are hard to recycle. Physical books are more environment friendly in the sense that they are made of paper and can be recycled or reused. They also last much longer than e-readers.

Mostly physical books remind me of the past and give a feeling of nostalgia. I find going to the library or bookstore and finding new books by browsing through the shelves an enriching experience. Physical books can bring back these memories, making them a comforting and familiar choice. I do not get this nostalgic feeling when reading in an eReader.

 

Even though e-readers are more popular and convenient now, physical books will always be important to several readers, like me.

About the Author

 

Multi Tasking or Mono Tasking

Multi Tasking or Mono Tasking

People still wonder whether they should live life quickly or slowly. There is so much information around us that we want to use our time well. Many people believe multitasking is the answer to this, but it can be confusing to know if we should work fast or focus on one thing at a time.

Even though the world is very fast these days, more and more people are interested in activities like yoga and meditation. This has led researchers to question whether fast and stressful ways of working, such as multitasking, are really the best. Many people want to slow down and find balance in a world that can sometimes feel too busy. This change shows a growing desire to be more mindful in our approach to work.

It is important to explore the pros and cons of each approach to better understand what works best for you.

Multitasking: Pros

Some people are proud to be able to do many things at the same time. They think it shows they are better than others. It can be useful sometimes, but it's not just about being more productive. Multitasking can also help to improve creativity. Doing several things at once can help you solve problems and come up with new ideas. This shows that it can be good to be more flexible in how you approach work and life.

Multitasking can make you feel like you're doing more and saving time, but it may not actually make you more productive.

Multitasking: Cons

Acknowledging the impact of taking on too many tasks is important, as it can lead to reduced focus and productivity. A 2016 study revealed that even a brief interruption of two or three seconds when interrupting one task with another can cause a doubling of mistakes. This suggests that multitasking can result in lower quality work.

When you attempt to do multiple tasks at once, it can be challenging to prioritize and you may end up doing less important tasks before urgent ones. This is because there isn't enough time to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information. Even though multitaskers have an active working memory, retaining information can be difficult as details can be lost when switching tasks.

Monotasking: Pros

Monotasking helps you conserve energy by avoiding the distraction of constantly switching between tasks. Instead, by focusing on one task at a time, you can save time and energy since you don't have to constantly refocus your brain on the new task at hand. This means you can avoid the foggy seconds that come with constantly switching between tasks, and you'll be able to complete your work more efficiently.

Focusing on one task at a time through monotasking can improve the quality of your work by helping you avoid mistakes. It also allows you to practice prioritizing tasks by spending a few minutes identifying and tackling the most important ones first.

By doing fewer things at once, you can actually accomplish more. This may seem unusual, as we tend to overwork ourselves. However, when you concentrate on one task at a time and give it your full attention, you are more likely to finish it faster and effectively. This will give you more time to focus on other tasks and complete them to the best of your ability, without feeling stressed or overwhelmed by trying to do everything at once.

Monotasking: Cons

Focusing on one task at a time can be challenging because our brain is used to doing multiple things at once. Even simple tasks like speaking require different parts of the body to work together. For example, when you speak, your lungs fill with air, your diaphragm helps you breathe, and your vocal cords vibrate to make sounds that match the words you say.

To successfully monotask, you need to be disciplined and avoid distractions while having a clear plan. Without a plan, you may waste time. However, today's world is not built for monotasking because we are used to multitasking. We need to learn how to effectively monotask again.

So… which one is better?

You can choose whether to multitask or monotask based on your needs and preferences. It's important to understand yourself to determine what works best for you. Striking a balance between the two approaches is crucial. Whether to use each approach depending on the situation is a personal decision.