Ramrajya by Ashutosh Rana, Translated by Tarang Sinha Book Review

Genre: Spirituality, Religion
Publisher: Kautilya Books
Publication Date: February 2024
Original Hindi version: January 2020
Pages: 312
Buy at: Amazon | Add to Goodreads

Why did Kaikeyi, who adored Ram, suddenly demand a fourteen year exile for him? Why did Ram decide to abandon Sita? If you have read the Ramayan or watched the TV series, I am sure you would have had these questions on your mind at some point in time.

Author Ashutosh Rana needs no introduction. With Ramrajya, he attempts to answer these questions and more in a unique retelling of the great epic. Translated by Tarang Sinha from the original written in Hindi, the book traces the story of the epic beginning just before Ram’s exile and culminating in the renouncement of Sita.

Ramrajya. Utopia. There are numerous perspectives on what it constitutes. What makes a good king, a good leader, a good ruler. We explore the author’s perspective on politics, governance, culture, and the human psyche through conversations between the characters. Some are as relevant today as never before. There is a fair deal of creative liberty in conversations between Ravan and Mandodari and those with Indrajeet. Each conversation is a deep dive into the characters. Breaking stereotypes, particularly about Maarich and Kumbhakarn.

There have been numerous retellings of the Ramayan exploring practically every character’s point of view. What sets the book apart (in addition to the philosophical lessons), is unlike most retellings it does not paint one character black to venerate the other. One of the few books that explore the gray in each. You are sure to have a deeper understanding of the characters of Kaikeyi, Shurpnakha, and even Ravan as you finish the book.

Although just over 300 pages in length, Ramrajya is not a book you can read in a day. You need to take it slow to absorb it all in. That said, the mechanizations of Shurpnakha do have you turning the pages.

Kaikeyi and Suparna (Shurpnakha)

While the book has a balanced approach to the perspectives of Ram, Ravan, Hanuman, Kumbhkarn, and Vibheeshan; there is a detailed focus on Kaikeyi and Suparna (Shurpnakha). The two vilified women of the epic have always been painted all black.

Kaikeyi is often depicted as a power-hungry mother who exiled her stepson for the sake of her own son. Instead, the author explores through the medium of some truly interesting conversations with Ram, a mother’s guidance, and her reluctant approval. A mother who takes the blame on herself for eternity so that her son can follow his true dharma.

Shurpnakha’s character has a lot more depth. Instead of a lust-filled, scorned woman, she is depicted as a shrewd warrior. A woman who would stop at nothing to avenge the murder of her husband.

The author also explores an interesting play of words. Was it disfiguring in the true sense or a ruse to instigate her brother? After all, “naak kaatna” (cutting off someone’s nose) is referred to as publicly disgracing someone. This makes for an interesting read and I will leave that for you to explore. There is also a hint of magic realism that adds to the narrative.

Ramrajya and the Current Times

The world has been divided like never before. Religion is the purview of a select few who decide how one needs to follow it. The radicals define the religion. The moderates get caught in the crossfire. Often asked to prove our allegiance and choose sides.

The book is a classic example of how our religious texts need to be read and interpreted. Religion is personal. Some of us are more spiritual than religious. Being religious is not a crime it is made out to be. Being radicalized is.

Quoting the author “I strongly believe that the day we start following his conduct, instead of merely appreciating it; the day we adopt his character and vision instead of merely worshipping his idols, would be the day when Ram Rajya will be established in its truest sense.”

The Translation

The sign of a good translation is when you cannot differentiate if it is a translated text at all. A crisp and free-flowing writing. A book like Ramrajya can get heavy to read. It is well translated making it easier to understand and grasp.

There is a generous use of Hindi words and phrases with meanings included inline or in footnotes. Words that would lose their meaning if literally translated. Tarang is a skilled translator who has retained the essence of the original.

The Verdict

I highly recommend you pick up the book. A book that makes you think. It makes you question things. Are we following rules just because they are expected to be followed?

Some Quotable Quotes

I end the review with the quotable quotes. Ranging from politics to human nature to the epic itself. There were so many excellent quotes that it was difficult to limit them to just a few. Here are some that have stayed with me.

“Ravan wants to gain powers through his devotion and Ram wants to use his powers towards devotion.”

“A powerful king and the capital do not signify the strength of a state. There is a difference between someone’s Raj and someone’s Rajya. The rectitude and integrity of a state in the presence of the king is a proof of the efficiency of the King. However, if the citizens are strong, safe, creative, prosperous, and positive even in the absence of their King, then it is the proof of the success of his state. In Raj, the King is important, while in Rajya, the citizens play an important part.”

“Power doesn’t make you disciplined, however, discipline has the power to teach you to handle Satta and Sinhasan in a better way. Discipline acquired after receiving the throne is a farce, whereas the power obtained from discipline is enlightenment”

“When you are enthroned, even your request sounds like a command. But even when you stand by society, shoulder to shoulder, then, even your order feels like an evocation”

“Being ambitious is human nature. A man is always insecure about his powers and influence. He doesn’t even hesitate to ignore the ethics when it comes to the establishment of his power. His own nescience converts his merits to demerits, and thus causes his destruction.”

“A person in power is not a person anymore, he becomes a small machine in a large system. Then there is a disparity between his words and actions.”

“Today, Purushottam Ram had to embrace defeat for the sake of victory and decorum”

A unique retelling of the great epic. Ramrajya by @ranaashutosh10, Translated by @TarangSinha #BookReview @KautilyaBooks #BookishLeague Share on X

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About the Author

Ashutosh Ramnarayan Neekhra, known professionally as Ashutosh Rana, is an Indian actor, producer, author and television personality. He has worked in Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi films along with working in various Indian television shows. Besides his acting career, he is an author and philanthropist. Some books written by him include Maun Muskaan Ki Maar and Ramrajya.

Follow him online at her Amazon, Twitter, Instagram, or Goodreads.

About the Translator

Tarang Sinha is a bilingual writer, translator, and a self-taught painter. Her articles and stories have been published in Juggernaut Books, Good Housekeeping India, Child India, The Hindu, Woman’s Era, and New Woman. She writes Hindi stories for a popular radio show Yaadon Ka Idiot Box with Neelesh Misra.

Follow her online at her Blog, Amazon, Twitter, Instagram, or Goodreads.

I received a copy of the book from the translator in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile.

Photo credit: Canva.com