Ramayana

by C. Rajagopalachari

Life story of Lord Rama

Genres: Classics, History, India

Paperback

Published January 1, 1983

About the author

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, informally called Rajaji or C.R., was an Indian lawyer, independence activist, politician, writer, and statesman. Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General of India. He also served as leader of the Indian National Congress, Premier of the Madras Presidency, Governor of West Bengal, Minister for Home Affairs of the Indian Union, and Chief Minister of Madras state, and as such, he rendered yeomen service to the nation.

Rajagopalachari founded the Swatantra Party and was one of the first recipients of India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. He vehemently opposed the use of nuclear weapons and was a proponent of world peace and disarmament. During his lifetime, he also acquired the nickname 'Mango of Salem'.

Rajaji was a great patriot, astute politician, incisive thinker, great visionary, and one of the greatest statesmen of all time. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, hailed as conscious-keeper of the Mahatma.

Rajaji was closely associated with Kulapati Munshiji and he was among the distinguished founder-members of the Bhavan (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan). The Bhavan has published 18 books by him so far, the copyright of which he gifted to the Bhavan.
Rajaji wrote not only in English but also in chaste Tamil, his mother-tongue. He was at his best as a short-story writer.

Rajaji passed away in 1972 at the age of 94.

Reviews

[Somya Sahu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and loved the comparisons and personal commentary by CR. Wish he had more commentary in it.

[Rishab Sabharwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramayana, in general, is more enchanting than the Mahabharata. Though not relegating the Mahabharata, I found the Ramayana more enchanting. Rajaji did well with his translation, and I align with his decision not to translate the Uttara Kanda. You'll enjoy every bit of it if you haven't read the unabridged version.

[Agyat Luitel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only good thing about this book is that it merges both contrasting views of Valmiki Ramayana and Kamba Ramayana. Otherwise just a average translation. I guess it was one of the first translation of the epic, so the three stars are for the write for his decision.

[Ramachandra Sarma · Rating 2 out of 5]

The translation and the essence of the original Valmiki's Ramayana was quite understood by the Rajaji but at some points he had a controversial opinion and I believe that they are not right and portrayed by Valmiki in Ramayana.
Overall the book is not bad.

[CountMonitor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest stories I've ever read.

[Neeraj Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant, very well written.
Read a few years back.

[Deep0ctave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as thrilling as the Mahabharata but certainly an essential read to understand Indian culture. Perhaps I need to read the original/detailed version to apprentice it. 3.5/5

[Sanjana Sankaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this version, made it very simple to understand while maintaining the philosophical themes.

[Dhruv · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful translation of the great epic Ramayana

[Mahfudz Dwi Cahyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

bruh, Sinta, just leave him