The Flag Of Ananta: A Sceptic's Journey to Her Roots

by Mitra Desai

An integral part of the Indic renaissance which is often talked about in recent years have been fresh initiatives at dating various events pertaining to our Itihasa as described in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Geography plays a crucial role in such initiatives as the geological and environmentalchanges which our planet has undergone over millenia can be well traced through markers such as changing sea levels, glacial retreats, sedimentation of bays, dried river beds, etc. Understanding the geography of the wider world as it existed during the time of the Ramayana or Mahabharata becomes asimportant as astronomical and cultural reference points. An example of this is the detailed geographical description of various continents, islands and far-away lands in all four cardinal directions as advised by Sugriva to Vanara scouts on the look-out for Mata Sita in the Valmiki Ramayana.

Mitra Desai’s “Flag of Ananta” takes this quest forward by basing this geographical atlas of Sugriva as the foundation of an exceptionally well researched and engaging book. The book is important in not just consolidating various advances made in the interpretation of the geography of the Ramayana but also in continuing to demolish the colonial mindset of dismissing Itihasa as “Mythology” or “Non-historical”. The book is hence not just a “great read” but a “must read” in the midst of bitter culture wars where threats to Hindu historical identity are increasing alarmingly from various quarters.

116 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Ganesh V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subbu Publications have been on the forefront of publishing many books related to our Itihasas and Puranas. The Flag of Ananta is the latest offering which had piqued my curiosity after the recent launch. The first striking feature of the book is the classification as Indology which is a very welcome change as compared to Mythology as quoted for another book I am currently reading.

The Flag of Ananta is a Indology-fiction genre about the journey of a girl athlete, a journey of discovering our ancient roots through Ramayana. Like any modern child, she has her own apprehensions on Valmiki’s magnum opus whose secrets and riches are unravelled through some conversations and unique experiences. Unlike the other common books, the major character from Ramayana in this book is Sugreeva. The main protagonist has an astral travel experience where she comes face to face with Sugreeva and the rest of the book is about her journey where she has a ring-side view of Ramayana as it unfolds over the various kandas of Ramayana.

The author should be appreciated for integrating the various verses from Kishkinda, Sundara and Yuddha kandas along with geographical findings of the modern era which is still trying to explain some of the unique marks across the world like Paracas Candelabra. The author has also interspersed a tribute to Dr. Padmakar Vishnu Vartak whose astral travel experiences are legendary and definitely would appeal to the interest of readers.

In a very recent podcast, Anuradha Goyal ji mentioned that every character in Mahabharatha is named with a specific intent. I could relate to this anecdote when I read this book. I do feel that the name of the main character who is a martial artist, as Bhuvaneshwari is by design, inspired by Bhavani Devi, Gold medallist in fencing. Similarly, the journalist Neeta Prakash is perhaps inspired by the ace journalist Smita Prakash. Each of the characters are quite well brought out (albeit with a one specific observation) and their conversations are quite illuminating.

I do have a couple of observations about few aspects of the book. First, the character of the father is mentioned in only 2 places. I feel that the author could have fleshed this out a little better and could have employed the character to further the narrative with his own unique perspectives.

Next, the book mentions that Ramayana occurred 14000 years ago. This specific dating could be quite contentious as various texts have varied interpretation. While we do have a concept of recurring Ramayana across Manvantharas, Devi Bhagwatha Mahapurana has a specific time line for Vaivaswata Manvnathara i.e. 19th Chatur Yuga, which is a long time back as we are in 28th Chatur Yuga now.

S.D.B. 4.16.14
yugē caikōna vinśēStha trētākhyē bhagavan hariḥ jamadagnīsutō jātō rāmō nāma mahabalaḥ

S.D.B 4.16.19
trētayugē raghōrvanśō rāmō daśarathātmajaḥ

Even if we consider 28th CY, the duration of Dwapara is 2000 Deva Varusham which again a large spectrum of time. I do understand that there are different schools of thought, but I am referring to the ones from our Puranas.

Lastly, I personally wasn’t very happy about generalising the Vanaras as forest dwelling tribes who wore masks and tails as appendages as part of appearance. While this could indeed be true, I refer to the original Valmiki Ramayana. In the first sarga of Kishkinda Kanda, the great Rsi has written

तौ ऋष्यमूकस्य समीप चारी चरन् ददर्श अद्भुत दर्शनीयौ |
शाखा मृगाणाम् अधिपः तरस्वी वितत्रसे नैव चिचेष्ट चेष्टाम् || ४-१-१२८

स तौ महात्मा गज मन्द गामि शखा मृगः तत्र चिरन् चरन्तौ |
दृष्ट्वा विषादम् परमम् जगाम चिन्ता परीतो भय भार मग्नः || ४-१-१२९


शाखा मृगाणाम् - Translates to the ones on the branches of trees, which is Monkeys. I personally believe that Ramayana is from an era where Monkeys were as evolved and knowledgeable as humans. I am highlighting these aspects as the book shouldn’t lead to a dilution of the original epic. Like how the guiding characters of the book emphasise repeatedly, one should learn from the originals.

These minor aspects aside, this book is a VERY GOOD read. If we can love Da Vinci code, I feel there is a much richer, more nuanced imagination about our ancient knowledge systems in this book. This is VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED book. Kudos to Subbu for the fine quality of the book too !!!

[Sobham Panja · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a must read in my opinion. One, who questions the existence and happenings of Ramayan, might find facts which will, to the very least, create a room and thirst for researching and diving deep into our ancient scriptures.
You will surely understand how important our ancient scriptures and their meanings hold.

[Aniket Ramakrishna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't really into history books before, but 'Flag of Ananta: In Sugriva's Footsteps' totally changed the game for me. The whole time-travel thing with Bhuvaneswari getting thrown back into Ramayana times? Absolutely hooked me in. Mitra did some serious homework to make the old-school India vibe feel real and relatable, even for a history newbie like me.

Honestly, though, a map for all the ancient names and places would've been helpful for someone not clued up on Indian epics. But I'm glad I picked this up. It has opened my eyes to a whole new world of stories I was missing out on. Never thought I'd enjoy a history book this much. 'Flag of Ananta' is like that unexpected chat with someone who's supposed to be all serious, and then you find out they're actually a blast to hang out with.

[Deepali Patwadkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having delved deep into the epic of Ramayana through my own writings, I approached 'Flag of Ananta' with a blend of anticipation and scrutiny. What I discovered was a narrative that not only honoured the essence of the Ramayana but also expanded its horizons into uncharted territories of time travel and historical inquiry. Mitra has crafted a masterpiece that resonates with both the heart and the mind, weaving a tale that bridges millennia.

My personal journey with the Ramayana began in my childhood, under the guidance of my grandfather, who first introduced me to its vast world. Much like Bhuvaneswari's journey in 'Flag of Ananta,' my path was filled with questions, doubts, and a relentless quest for truth. Reading Mitra's book, I felt as though I was walking alongside Bhuvaneswari, experiencing her revelations and transformations as my own.

Over time, I have come to know her as not just a fellow author but a dear friend. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to tell a compelling story is evident in every page of 'Flag of Ananta.'

This book is an invitation to explore the very soul of our civilization. For anyone who has ever been captivated by the Ramayana, Mitra Desai's book is a beacon, illuminating the path back to our ancestral roots with grace, insight, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

[YOGESH APTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

My life is deeply rooted in science and evidence, much like Bhuvaneswari's initial skepticism in 'Flag of Ananta.' This book, however, opened my eyes to the seamless blend of history or itihasa and the truths that lie within our ancient texts, mirroring my own journey of discovery in the vast world of medicine. The personal connection for me was profound; growing up, I always had a keen interest in the stories of our past, but like Bhuvaneswari, I sought empirical evidence. 'Flag of Ananta' provided that bridge between belief and understanding, between science and shraddha.

Having known Mitra for several years, I've been privileged to witness her dedication and meticulous research firsthand. Her passion for uncovering the truth behind our itihasa is infectious, and her ability to weave these elements into a compelling narrative is unmatched.

'Flag of Ananta' is not just a book; it's a journey—a journey that I found enlightening and profoundly moving. It's a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of our heritage. Kudos to Mitra and best wishes for the next one.

[Ajitabh Pandey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a treasure trove of information regarding the Ramayana period. The information is based on Valmiki Ramayan and then the same is correlated with various geographical locations across the world indicating that during the time of Ramayana the Indian culture and civilization had access and reach across the world.
The presentation of the information in the form of a story and dialogues between characters in the book failed to hold a readers attention. Alternatively the information could be presented in a research text format. This is the reason I have given the book only a three star.

[RUSHIKESH APTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book in today's context, and written in a very engaging flow. The Flag of Ananta is deceptively small in length - the thought process it kickstarted for me is vastly disproportionate to the time I took to read it! Mitra Desai has raised some fundamental questions that someone is (finally) asking.

[Manu · Rating 4 out of 5]

English not being the native language of the writer, it shows. Book is well researched, but at times it feels that the writer is trying to include whatever she has researched bit forcefully, even if it does not fit the current narrative.
But the book is gripping and keeps the reader interested.

[Shraddha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers geography in 'Ramayana' and is engaging to a certain extent. The background plot could have been better but definitely worth a read if one is interested to know more about the connection between Ancient India and South America.

[Ashish Iyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun reading this book. Beautiful blend of Ramayana in a fiction story. Love the concept of the story within a story. This will definitely encourage people to read Valmiki Ramayana to know more. Go for it.