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The Renunciation
Enveloped in the serene surroundings of Sage Valmiki’s ashram, resides a quiet story; a story of a woman that encompasses love, struggles, and separation. She raises her twin sons, who remain blissfully unaware of her extraordinary past—her true name, her divine origins, or even the blotched truth of her renunciation as the forsaken wife of the beloved and divine king of Ayodhya. But as destiny plays its twisted games, her young boys are to encounter their father— both unaware of their connection to sing in his honour. As she grapples with the reality of truth coming to light, she is forced to revisit all the memories. In the pages of Valmiki’s Ramayana lay the bare facts of her life, her husband’s galore triumphs and the injustice that life put her through. As painful as those memories are, she still has a way to go. For years, she spent her life raising her boys with the thought of it all being over, only for fate to yet again puts her through the unimaginable. This is the story of Sita. A story of revelations, reunions and renunciations.
312 pages, Paperback
Published November 5, 2025
6 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 21, 2025
Reading " The Renunciation" didn’t feel like reading a myth I already knew. It felt like sitting quietly beside a woman who has lived a full life and is finally allowing herself to look back without flinching. This is not a story that rushes or tries to impress. It unfolds slowly, gently, almost like a confession whispered rather than declared.
What struck me first was where the book begins. We meet Sita after everything has already happened after exile, after loss, after she has given more than anyone ever asked of her. She is living in Valmiki’s ashram, raising her sons, carrying memories that don’t demand attention but refuse to leave. That framing changes everything. You’re not waiting for events to shock you; you’re watching someone make sense of a life shaped by silence, duty, and emotional restraint.
Sita here feels deeply human. She isn’t raging against fate or questioning the gods at every turn. She’s tired. She remembers small things. She wonders when loyalty slowly turned into invisibility. That quietness made her pain feel sharper, not softer. The book doesn’t turn her into a modern icon or a loud symbol of resistance. She doesn’t break the world apart she simply stops bending for it.
The relationship between Sita and her sons, Luv and Kush, forms the emotional heart of the story. Her love for them is tender, protective, and layered with fear and hope. Some of the most moving moments are the simplest ones watching her mother them, watching her guard them from a past that still aches. There’s a beautiful irony in Valmiki teaching the twins to sing the Ramayana, unknowingly narrating their own parents’ story, and Sita standing quietly at the center of it all.
I also appreciated the restraint in how the other characters are written. No one is made into a villain for convenience. Ram is not cruel, but bound by duty, reputation, and fear. The harm comes not from monsters, but from a system that rewards obedience and punishes doubt and that felt painfully familiar.
The writing is slow and inward-looking, and at times it lingers but that slowness feels intentional. It matches the emotional space of Sita’s life: a life lived in pauses, not peaks. By the end, her final renunciation doesn’t feel like defeat or tragedy. It feels necessary. Conscious. Empowered in its own quiet way.
This book stayed with me long after I closed it. It made me think about how often women are praised for enduring quietly, and how rarely we ask what that endurance costs them. If you enjoy mythology that values emotion over spectacle and silence over grandeur, this one is absolutely worth reading.
What struck me first was where the book begins. We meet Sita after everything has already happened after exile, after loss, after she has given more than anyone ever asked of her. She is living in Valmiki’s ashram, raising her sons, carrying memories that don’t demand attention but refuse to leave. That framing changes everything. You’re not waiting for events to shock you; you’re watching someone make sense of a life shaped by silence, duty, and emotional restraint.
Sita here feels deeply human. She isn’t raging against fate or questioning the gods at every turn. She’s tired. She remembers small things. She wonders when loyalty slowly turned into invisibility. That quietness made her pain feel sharper, not softer. The book doesn’t turn her into a modern icon or a loud symbol of resistance. She doesn’t break the world apart she simply stops bending for it.
The relationship between Sita and her sons, Luv and Kush, forms the emotional heart of the story. Her love for them is tender, protective, and layered with fear and hope. Some of the most moving moments are the simplest ones watching her mother them, watching her guard them from a past that still aches. There’s a beautiful irony in Valmiki teaching the twins to sing the Ramayana, unknowingly narrating their own parents’ story, and Sita standing quietly at the center of it all.
I also appreciated the restraint in how the other characters are written. No one is made into a villain for convenience. Ram is not cruel, but bound by duty, reputation, and fear. The harm comes not from monsters, but from a system that rewards obedience and punishes doubt and that felt painfully familiar.
The writing is slow and inward-looking, and at times it lingers but that slowness feels intentional. It matches the emotional space of Sita’s life: a life lived in pauses, not peaks. By the end, her final renunciation doesn’t feel like defeat or tragedy. It feels necessary. Conscious. Empowered in its own quiet way.
This book stayed with me long after I closed it. It made me think about how often women are praised for enduring quietly, and how rarely we ask what that endurance costs them. If you enjoy mythology that values emotion over spectacle and silence over grandeur, this one is absolutely worth reading.
December 15, 2025
A beautiful retelling recommendation for you all today! ✨
The Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal follows the life of Maa Sita and her raw emotions throughout her life, the struggles she faced when she got abducted, when her dignity was harmed, when she was questioned, when she had to raise her sons in forest, everything is covered so beautifully and poignantly and you'll feel the love, the sacrifice, the sorrow and heartbreak that a woman so brave and kind went through.
She was born from the Goddess Earth and embraced her back and her story in between? You have to read it to trace her journey, you'll feel how similar it might feel even today. ✨
I wholeheartedly recommend it. 🫂
The Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal follows the life of Maa Sita and her raw emotions throughout her life, the struggles she faced when she got abducted, when her dignity was harmed, when she was questioned, when she had to raise her sons in forest, everything is covered so beautifully and poignantly and you'll feel the love, the sacrifice, the sorrow and heartbreak that a woman so brave and kind went through.
She was born from the Goddess Earth and embraced her back and her story in between? You have to read it to trace her journey, you'll feel how similar it might feel even today. ✨
I wholeheartedly recommend it. 🫂
November 29, 2025
Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal
An intimate and immersive retelling of Ramayana from Sita's perspective. Unlike other retellings, it does not delve deep into the already widely known events of the epic but it revolves around the raw emotions of Sita during the major ones, making it a contemplative tale of motherhood, dignity, and the costs of public virtue.
The book act as a mirror to how lives of women are affected by patriarchal norms, even in rich and “successful” kingdoms and societies. It gives voice to Sita's thoughts on such customs making the story feel gentle but sharp.
My favourite parts were the scenes with Luv and Kush: their innocence, their songs, and their powerful meeting with the king of Ayodhya, without knowing he is their father. Sita’s choice to raise them while concealing the truth shows her way of protecting them from her past while acting as a silent protest.
For readers who looking for emotional nuance over grand battles in one of the oldest epics in the world, this book is a recommendation.
An intimate and immersive retelling of Ramayana from Sita's perspective. Unlike other retellings, it does not delve deep into the already widely known events of the epic but it revolves around the raw emotions of Sita during the major ones, making it a contemplative tale of motherhood, dignity, and the costs of public virtue.
The book act as a mirror to how lives of women are affected by patriarchal norms, even in rich and “successful” kingdoms and societies. It gives voice to Sita's thoughts on such customs making the story feel gentle but sharp.
My favourite parts were the scenes with Luv and Kush: their innocence, their songs, and their powerful meeting with the king of Ayodhya, without knowing he is their father. Sita’s choice to raise them while concealing the truth shows her way of protecting them from her past while acting as a silent protest.
For readers who looking for emotional nuance over grand battles in one of the oldest epics in the world, this book is a recommendation.
November 15, 2025
A Fresh and Moving Reimagining of Sita’s Story
The Renunciation offers a deeply heartfelt and reflective portrait of Sita’s journey in the Ramayana. This retelling brings her inner world to the forefront—her emotions, her quiet resilience, and the steady wisdom that guides her through every phase of her life.
The prose is gentle and lyrical, making the narrative effortless to follow. The descriptions of the forest, the ashram, and Sita’s life with her sons are rendered with such warmth that they linger long after the final page.
What sets this book apart is its portrayal of Sita as a fully realized person—one who loves deeply, suffers profoundly, and yet remains unwavering in her principles. The relationship between Sita, Luv, and Kush is especially poignant, offering some of the most tender moments in the story.
This interpretation also thoughtfully explores the emotional cost of duty and honour, showing how silence can sometimes express more strength than words ever could. It invites readers to reflect on motherhood, sacrifice, identity, and inner fortitude through a fresh lens.
A gentle, evocative, and beautifully crafted read—perfect for anyone who enjoys mythological retellings told with depth and heart.
The Renunciation offers a deeply heartfelt and reflective portrait of Sita’s journey in the Ramayana. This retelling brings her inner world to the forefront—her emotions, her quiet resilience, and the steady wisdom that guides her through every phase of her life.
The prose is gentle and lyrical, making the narrative effortless to follow. The descriptions of the forest, the ashram, and Sita’s life with her sons are rendered with such warmth that they linger long after the final page.
What sets this book apart is its portrayal of Sita as a fully realized person—one who loves deeply, suffers profoundly, and yet remains unwavering in her principles. The relationship between Sita, Luv, and Kush is especially poignant, offering some of the most tender moments in the story.
This interpretation also thoughtfully explores the emotional cost of duty and honour, showing how silence can sometimes express more strength than words ever could. It invites readers to reflect on motherhood, sacrifice, identity, and inner fortitude through a fresh lens.
A gentle, evocative, and beautifully crafted read—perfect for anyone who enjoys mythological retellings told with depth and heart.
November 15, 2025
Remarkable debut. Completely unique perspective on Sita’s story — lyrical, layered, and deeply human.
A poetic retelling of Sita's story drawing her out of the shadows of mythology and reintroducing her as a woman of thought, compassion, and fierce self-respect. She is everything one can imagine - a wife, mother, daughter, queen, and visionary.
Every page shimmers with sensory detail, be it the scent of raat-rani blooming under moonlight, the quiet dignity of the forest hermitage, the ache of remembered love - one can feel it all. The prose is polished and evocative, carrying the rhythm of verse and the weight of philosophy.
A book to be read slowly, savoured, and returned to — a lyrical meditation on loss, love, and the eternal quest for selfhood.
A poetic retelling of Sita's story drawing her out of the shadows of mythology and reintroducing her as a woman of thought, compassion, and fierce self-respect. She is everything one can imagine - a wife, mother, daughter, queen, and visionary.
Every page shimmers with sensory detail, be it the scent of raat-rani blooming under moonlight, the quiet dignity of the forest hermitage, the ache of remembered love - one can feel it all. The prose is polished and evocative, carrying the rhythm of verse and the weight of philosophy.
A book to be read slowly, savoured, and returned to — a lyrical meditation on loss, love, and the eternal quest for selfhood.
December 14, 2025
Ram clutched the curtain in his sweaty palms and convinced himself to stay strong. He couldn't commit the same mistake as his father. He wouldn't let his personal life come before his duty towards his kingdom. Ironically, he ended up committing the exact same sin as Maharaja Dasharath. He never afforded his wife the dignity of seeking her counsel. When Ram decided to put forward his duties above his personal life, he inadvertently took a decision on behalf of Sita, about her life.”
- Renunciation 📖
- Pragya Agarwal ✍️
🏹
This book is an attempt at re-telling a timeless tale from Bharatiya itihas - Ramayan. An essential text in sanatan dharm — Ramayan is story of emperor Ram, his struggles, his decisions, righteousness and heroism. The literal meaning of the term Ramayan as the name suggests is “Ram’s journey” but the point the narrators miss very often is equal if not more important contribution, struggle, sacrifice, heroism and strong character of Queen Sita, the wife of the emperor. This book re-tells this great epic from the point of view of Mata Sita, from the miraculous story of her birth to the likewise departure the author beautifully narrates every moment of her life from a different perspective, gives a fresh look at her courageous living.
🏹
Author Pragya Agarwal’s Sita is not a side character in a grand story, she carries herself with strength, has her own strong viewpoint on every aspect of life, she challenges the norms and keeps an equally strong authority in herself, Not just a mere shadow of the lord Ram. After the war is over Mata was exiled under circumstances beyond control of the couple, she lives in forest, raising her twins. The story keeps going back and forth in the present and past, Mata reminisces her past, through which author narrates the journey of Ram and Sita, from their birth to the end of war. The book mainly focuses on events related to Queen Sita only, the time she spend with Prince Ram during their 14 years exile, later under captivity of demon Raavan and then in the forest after her exile among her twins. That later part of her life is the time this book focuses on the most.
🏹
Everyone, especially in Bharat, knows the saga of Sita-Ram. What most of us are not aware of is the difficult time they had to go through after war. Such is the misfortune of their lives— two most loved individuals of Bhartiya itihas that they hardly got any happy moment in their own lives. Sita-Ram lived a difficult life and may be that’s the only reason we celebrate them today after centuries later for standards the set with morality and ethics. This book tells no different tale just the lens is different. The book gives answers to many questions, makes you cry at moments and justifies the acts regardless of their means and the outcome. I don’t feel myself to be good enough to review or judge any book written on Ramayan. This one too is perfectly written. Not a fancy outlook like other modern versions. The soul of the story stay intact, just giving the rightful glory to the character of Mata Sita, which unfortunately goes in the background in many retellings. some part of the story are left unexplored that is the one thing I found a little off about the book, the author gives a hint to a sub-story but does not explore further in it, it would have been better had she given closure to all unexplored parts. Story goes smooth dropping gems of wisdom. You get a lot from these 300 pages, you relive a timeless tale, and story of Sita-Ram penetrates deep in the heart resulting a few drops of tears in your eyes falling down on the pages you’re reading.
Sita-Ram.🙏🏽
- Renunciation 📖
- Pragya Agarwal ✍️
🏹
This book is an attempt at re-telling a timeless tale from Bharatiya itihas - Ramayan. An essential text in sanatan dharm — Ramayan is story of emperor Ram, his struggles, his decisions, righteousness and heroism. The literal meaning of the term Ramayan as the name suggests is “Ram’s journey” but the point the narrators miss very often is equal if not more important contribution, struggle, sacrifice, heroism and strong character of Queen Sita, the wife of the emperor. This book re-tells this great epic from the point of view of Mata Sita, from the miraculous story of her birth to the likewise departure the author beautifully narrates every moment of her life from a different perspective, gives a fresh look at her courageous living.
🏹
Author Pragya Agarwal’s Sita is not a side character in a grand story, she carries herself with strength, has her own strong viewpoint on every aspect of life, she challenges the norms and keeps an equally strong authority in herself, Not just a mere shadow of the lord Ram. After the war is over Mata was exiled under circumstances beyond control of the couple, she lives in forest, raising her twins. The story keeps going back and forth in the present and past, Mata reminisces her past, through which author narrates the journey of Ram and Sita, from their birth to the end of war. The book mainly focuses on events related to Queen Sita only, the time she spend with Prince Ram during their 14 years exile, later under captivity of demon Raavan and then in the forest after her exile among her twins. That later part of her life is the time this book focuses on the most.
🏹
Everyone, especially in Bharat, knows the saga of Sita-Ram. What most of us are not aware of is the difficult time they had to go through after war. Such is the misfortune of their lives— two most loved individuals of Bhartiya itihas that they hardly got any happy moment in their own lives. Sita-Ram lived a difficult life and may be that’s the only reason we celebrate them today after centuries later for standards the set with morality and ethics. This book tells no different tale just the lens is different. The book gives answers to many questions, makes you cry at moments and justifies the acts regardless of their means and the outcome. I don’t feel myself to be good enough to review or judge any book written on Ramayan. This one too is perfectly written. Not a fancy outlook like other modern versions. The soul of the story stay intact, just giving the rightful glory to the character of Mata Sita, which unfortunately goes in the background in many retellings. some part of the story are left unexplored that is the one thing I found a little off about the book, the author gives a hint to a sub-story but does not explore further in it, it would have been better had she given closure to all unexplored parts. Story goes smooth dropping gems of wisdom. You get a lot from these 300 pages, you relive a timeless tale, and story of Sita-Ram penetrates deep in the heart resulting a few drops of tears in your eyes falling down on the pages you’re reading.
Sita-Ram.🙏🏽
December 29, 2025
A Beautiful and Delicate retelling of the great epic 'Ramayana' with fresh perspective!A story of Sacrifice, Motherhood, Trust, betrayal and strength of character of a woman whose journey has never been talked about!
Here the Protagonist is 'Sita'. The delicate unfolding of events in Sita's deep-seated heart unveils it's layers of bitter sweet memories while delicately weaving the everyday events in Sage Valmiki's Ashram raising as single mother her twin boys Luv and Kush,secretly shielding her identity to them!
Their innocence ,their talent and their beautiful bond with their mother adds cherished moments to the story
They are equally very loving and responsible which also brings forth the character of her strength and courage as a mother!!
she takes you back and forth on her Journey of her unusual miraculous Birth from mother Earth,to The great Marriage to Lord Ram,Her abduction by the evil king Raavan and her year long ordeal in Ashok Vatika.It brings forth a woman whose Love for her Man,her trust in her marriage and the principles of her Life are so unwavering!!
(Few of my favourite excerpts from the book
The Chapter -Blade of Grass
Raavan flung his hands and reached out
Stop!! There was a ferocious blaze in Sita's eyes.....she snapped out a blade of Grass sprouting out .at the base of Shimshapa..and held it out as an allusive shield)..I was taken away by the moment.....
The final chapter- The final call- The Renunciation!! got tears in my eyes!!
Every chapter is so beautifully woven with words which are so immersive and nuanced in subtle composition that you glide through the book so smoothly watching the charaters come live!
The mention of Raat rani ,the ever companion of Ram- Sita,and other flora with the description so subtle pulls you literally in the Forest with its freshness of Fragrance and textures!!
A strong recommendation for one looking for a historical fiction with a female protagonist!!
Kudos to the author Pragya Agrawal,being her Debut novel..she has been able to glue the reader to her story with her immersive writings!!
Here the Protagonist is 'Sita'. The delicate unfolding of events in Sita's deep-seated heart unveils it's layers of bitter sweet memories while delicately weaving the everyday events in Sage Valmiki's Ashram raising as single mother her twin boys Luv and Kush,secretly shielding her identity to them!
Their innocence ,their talent and their beautiful bond with their mother adds cherished moments to the story
They are equally very loving and responsible which also brings forth the character of her strength and courage as a mother!!
she takes you back and forth on her Journey of her unusual miraculous Birth from mother Earth,to The great Marriage to Lord Ram,Her abduction by the evil king Raavan and her year long ordeal in Ashok Vatika.It brings forth a woman whose Love for her Man,her trust in her marriage and the principles of her Life are so unwavering!!
(Few of my favourite excerpts from the book
The Chapter -Blade of Grass
Raavan flung his hands and reached out
Stop!! There was a ferocious blaze in Sita's eyes.....she snapped out a blade of Grass sprouting out .at the base of Shimshapa..and held it out as an allusive shield)..I was taken away by the moment.....
The final chapter- The final call- The Renunciation!! got tears in my eyes!!
Every chapter is so beautifully woven with words which are so immersive and nuanced in subtle composition that you glide through the book so smoothly watching the charaters come live!
The mention of Raat rani ,the ever companion of Ram- Sita,and other flora with the description so subtle pulls you literally in the Forest with its freshness of Fragrance and textures!!
A strong recommendation for one looking for a historical fiction with a female protagonist!!
Kudos to the author Pragya Agrawal,being her Debut novel..she has been able to glue the reader to her story with her immersive writings!!
January 13, 2026
As someone who devours mythology retellings, this book hit me right in the feels. It’s Sita’s story post-Ramayana, after she’s renounced everything for her peace, and let me tell you, it’s the fresh take we’ve all been craving.
What I loved most? Finally seeing Sita’s side of the epic ordeal. While Ram’s out there being the perfect king everyone idolizes :duty-bound, heroic, adored; Sita’s quietly carrying the weight of exile,and judgment. Pragya dives deep into her inner world, showing her strength, doubts, and raw heartbreak without making her a victim. It’s empowering, like Sita’s reclaiming her narrative on her terms.
I ugly-cried at so many points: her loneliness in the ashram, the ache of unspoken love for her sons. The hardest part was during Luv-Kusha singing innocent Ramayana songs, oblivious to their dad’s role in her hurt it shattered me.
The Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal left my heart fuller yet achingly tender - Sita’s unyielding grace amid Ram’s celebrated reign is the retelling magic we needed.
What I loved most? Finally seeing Sita’s side of the epic ordeal. While Ram’s out there being the perfect king everyone idolizes :duty-bound, heroic, adored; Sita’s quietly carrying the weight of exile,and judgment. Pragya dives deep into her inner world, showing her strength, doubts, and raw heartbreak without making her a victim. It’s empowering, like Sita’s reclaiming her narrative on her terms.
I ugly-cried at so many points: her loneliness in the ashram, the ache of unspoken love for her sons. The hardest part was during Luv-Kusha singing innocent Ramayana songs, oblivious to their dad’s role in her hurt it shattered me.
The Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal left my heart fuller yet achingly tender - Sita’s unyielding grace amid Ram’s celebrated reign is the retelling magic we needed.
January 3, 2026
"The Renunciation" written by author Pragya Agrawal is a poignant retelling of the timeless epic Ramayana, seen through the eyes of Sita👸, a woman whose strength and sacrifices often remain overshadowed in the grand tales of mythology. Set against the tranquil backdrop of Sage Valmiki’s ashram, the novel delves deeply into Sita’s life—her boundless love, profound struggles, and heartrending separation from the divine king of Ayodhya, Rama🤴.
Pragya Agrawal masterfully portrays Sita not just as the revered goddess but as a mother raising twin sons in blissful ignorance of their heritage. As Sita revisits her journey, the story intertwines themes of revelation and reunion, capturing the essence of a woman torn between her duties as a mother and her unresolved feelings for the man she loved💞. The author’s prose is evocative and rich, allowing readers to experience Sita's inner turmoil and strength.
Pragya Agrawal’s retelling of Sita's story is not just a recounting of myth but a profound exploration of femininity, sacrifice, and identity. Through Sita's eyes, we witness the complexities of love and the enduring impact of choices made in the name of duty🧡🌞
Pragya Agrawal masterfully portrays Sita not just as the revered goddess but as a mother raising twin sons in blissful ignorance of their heritage. As Sita revisits her journey, the story intertwines themes of revelation and reunion, capturing the essence of a woman torn between her duties as a mother and her unresolved feelings for the man she loved💞. The author’s prose is evocative and rich, allowing readers to experience Sita's inner turmoil and strength.
Pragya Agrawal’s retelling of Sita's story is not just a recounting of myth but a profound exploration of femininity, sacrifice, and identity. Through Sita's eyes, we witness the complexities of love and the enduring impact of choices made in the name of duty🧡🌞
December 16, 2025
I was won over by the author in the very opening when she tells us that while Sri Ram was a God Sita too was a God. Both cannot be measured by each other’s yardsticks since both represented a larger cause. This clarity of attitude sets the emotional tone for this rendition. It remains rock solid and empathetic and dares to reclaim Sita for her deserved central focus.
Agarwal holds the new story together with two parallel narratives that are deeply entwined in terms of time and space. There is the narrative where Sita, living with Luv and Kush in Valmiki's ashram, goes through the routines of a life where the tales are unseen, the history untold, and then there is the narrative that reverses the experiences of the protagonist, where Ayodhya, the exile, the happiness and pain with which love and judgment are intertwined, the pangs of renunciation, all these are there, but they cannot keep pace with the years that are left to live in Ayodhya.
Sita is a woman caught up in the aftermath of abandonment while raising two sons who do not know the epic story in which they are born. The ashram is depicted in earthy detail; the kingdom in warmer morsels of pain; and the topographical divisions of loneliness, of dignity and of the burning of memory are traversed superbly.
Agarwal holds the new story together with two parallel narratives that are deeply entwined in terms of time and space. There is the narrative where Sita, living with Luv and Kush in Valmiki's ashram, goes through the routines of a life where the tales are unseen, the history untold, and then there is the narrative that reverses the experiences of the protagonist, where Ayodhya, the exile, the happiness and pain with which love and judgment are intertwined, the pangs of renunciation, all these are there, but they cannot keep pace with the years that are left to live in Ayodhya.
Sita is a woman caught up in the aftermath of abandonment while raising two sons who do not know the epic story in which they are born. The ashram is depicted in earthy detail; the kingdom in warmer morsels of pain; and the topographical divisions of loneliness, of dignity and of the burning of memory are traversed superbly.
December 22, 2025
There are mythological retellings that arrive with thunder, revisionist, argumentative, eager to correct history and then there are books like "The Renunciation", which arrive almost unnoticed, settling into the reader’s consciousness with the patience of morning light in a forest clearing. Pragya Agrawal’s retelling of Sita’s story does not seek to shock or overturn the Ramayana. Instead, it listens and in that listening, it does something quietly radical, it restores interiority to a woman whose life has too often been flattened into ideals, symbols, and moral shorthand.
At its core, The Renunciation is a meditation on silence, chosen, imposed, endured. Sita’s life in the ashram is not one of dramatic suffering; it is one of routine, restraint, and memory. The forest becomes a moral counterpoint to Ayodhya, where the kingdom thrives on public judgment, the ashram allows for private truth. This contrast is thematically rich. The book suggests that justice, dignity, and selfhood do not always flourish in places of power, but often survive in margins, among women, in exile, in unrecorded lives.
Renunciation, as the book suggests, is not treated as a single climactic gesture but as a long, grinding process. Sita renounces status, voice, companionship, and eventually even the hope of reconciliation. Yet she is careful not to romanticize this. Renunciation here is neither saintly nor submissive; it is morally complex. It is an act shaped by constraint as much as choice, by love as much as fatigue. This framing resists the tendency, common in devotional readings, to treat Sita’s endurance as passive virtue. Instead, it positions endurance as labor.
One of the book’s most commendable achievements is its portrayal of Sita as psychologically coherent. She is not rewritten into a modern rebel, nor reduced to a long-suffering archetype. She is allowed contradictions, tenderness and bitterness, maternal devotion and suppressed rage, dignity alongside deep loneliness. Her memories arrive not as epic flashbacks but as sensory fragments, touch, smell, half-formed thoughts. This approach mirrors how trauma actually works, lending emotional credibility to her inner life.
The emotional heart of the book lies in Sita’s relationship with Luv and Kush. Their upbringing in the ashram, shielded from knowledge of their lineage, raises one of the book’s most compelling ethical questions, is withholding truth an act of protection or control? She does not offer easy answers. Sita’s silence is portrayed as both love and fear, a desire to spare her sons the weight of inherited conflict, and a reluctance to reopen wounds she has barely learned to live with.
The author's prose is gentle, lyrical, and attentive to detail. Domestic imagery, the rhythm of chores, the textures of forest life, the quiet companionship of the ashram, grounds the narrative. The forest is not merely a setting but a psychological space where memory loosens and reflection deepens. At its best, the writing achieves a cinematic stillness, where meaning accumulates through repetition and mood rather than plot.
✍️ Strengths :
🔸The book resists sensationalism and trusts quiet reflection.
🔸Neither idolized nor modernized beyond recognition.
🔸Especially the ethics of love, protection, and silence.
🔸The ashram and forest are vividly and meaningfully rendered.
🔸Without slavish repetition or distortion.
✒️ Areas for Improvement :
▪️Some reflective sections could benefit from sharper editing.
▪️Emotional containment occasionally feels like missed opportunity.
▪️Readers well-versed in mythological retellings may find fewer narrative surprises.
In conclusion, it is not a book that demands attention; it earns it slowly. Its power lies not in reinterpretation for its own sake, but in moral attentiveness, in asking what it means to live after injustice, to raise children in the shadow of unspoken history, and to choose dignity when reconciliation demands self-erasure. This is a book for readers who value emotional truth over narrative speed, introspection over drama, and humanity over heroics. It may not redefine the Ramayana, but it deepens it, by reminding us that epics are sustained not only by battles and kings, but by women who endure quietly, think deeply, and choose themselves when the world refuses to.
At its core, The Renunciation is a meditation on silence, chosen, imposed, endured. Sita’s life in the ashram is not one of dramatic suffering; it is one of routine, restraint, and memory. The forest becomes a moral counterpoint to Ayodhya, where the kingdom thrives on public judgment, the ashram allows for private truth. This contrast is thematically rich. The book suggests that justice, dignity, and selfhood do not always flourish in places of power, but often survive in margins, among women, in exile, in unrecorded lives.
Renunciation, as the book suggests, is not treated as a single climactic gesture but as a long, grinding process. Sita renounces status, voice, companionship, and eventually even the hope of reconciliation. Yet she is careful not to romanticize this. Renunciation here is neither saintly nor submissive; it is morally complex. It is an act shaped by constraint as much as choice, by love as much as fatigue. This framing resists the tendency, common in devotional readings, to treat Sita’s endurance as passive virtue. Instead, it positions endurance as labor.
One of the book’s most commendable achievements is its portrayal of Sita as psychologically coherent. She is not rewritten into a modern rebel, nor reduced to a long-suffering archetype. She is allowed contradictions, tenderness and bitterness, maternal devotion and suppressed rage, dignity alongside deep loneliness. Her memories arrive not as epic flashbacks but as sensory fragments, touch, smell, half-formed thoughts. This approach mirrors how trauma actually works, lending emotional credibility to her inner life.
The emotional heart of the book lies in Sita’s relationship with Luv and Kush. Their upbringing in the ashram, shielded from knowledge of their lineage, raises one of the book’s most compelling ethical questions, is withholding truth an act of protection or control? She does not offer easy answers. Sita’s silence is portrayed as both love and fear, a desire to spare her sons the weight of inherited conflict, and a reluctance to reopen wounds she has barely learned to live with.
The author's prose is gentle, lyrical, and attentive to detail. Domestic imagery, the rhythm of chores, the textures of forest life, the quiet companionship of the ashram, grounds the narrative. The forest is not merely a setting but a psychological space where memory loosens and reflection deepens. At its best, the writing achieves a cinematic stillness, where meaning accumulates through repetition and mood rather than plot.
✍️ Strengths :
🔸The book resists sensationalism and trusts quiet reflection.
🔸Neither idolized nor modernized beyond recognition.
🔸Especially the ethics of love, protection, and silence.
🔸The ashram and forest are vividly and meaningfully rendered.
🔸Without slavish repetition or distortion.
✒️ Areas for Improvement :
▪️Some reflective sections could benefit from sharper editing.
▪️Emotional containment occasionally feels like missed opportunity.
▪️Readers well-versed in mythological retellings may find fewer narrative surprises.
In conclusion, it is not a book that demands attention; it earns it slowly. Its power lies not in reinterpretation for its own sake, but in moral attentiveness, in asking what it means to live after injustice, to raise children in the shadow of unspoken history, and to choose dignity when reconciliation demands self-erasure. This is a book for readers who value emotional truth over narrative speed, introspection over drama, and humanity over heroics. It may not redefine the Ramayana, but it deepens it, by reminding us that epics are sustained not only by battles and kings, but by women who endure quietly, think deeply, and choose themselves when the world refuses to.
November 24, 2025
When I turned the first pages I felt the story pull me into a quiet world — the soft, contained life of Valmiki’s ashram. The novel doesn’t race; it settles. That stillness is its strength: instead of spectacle, I was given small, lived moments that slowly revealed who Sita has become after the storms of her past.
The Prose and the Atmosphere
The writing is gentle and lyrical without being precious. Descriptions of the forest, the simple rhythms of ashram life, and the domestic details of Sita’s days stay with you — a bowl left on a windowsill, a morning light on the trees, the way mundane tasks carry the weight of history. For me, the tone made the emotional beats land more honestly: the book asks you to listen rather than to be dazzled.
Sita — Human, Not Hymn
What moved me most was how fully human Sita feels here. She is not an untouchable ideal or a mere symbol; she loves, she suffers, she remembers, she protects. Her dignity is quiet and earned. The novel gives space to her private choices — the tender discipline of mothering, the small defenses she builds to survive — and in those choices I found a heroic softness that felt true to the character I thought I knew.
Luv and Kush — Childhood and Unknowing Bonds
The relationship between Sita and her twin sons is the emotional core. Watching her raise boys who do not know their origins made many scenes unexpectedly tender. Their innocence — even their later act of singing in honour of a king they do not recognise as their father — is heartbreaking in the best sense: it shows how lineage and identity can be lived out of harmony with truth, and how love is given unconditionally despite that gap.
Memory, Truth, and the Unmaking of Self
Memory drives the novel. As truth edges closer, Sita is forced to revisit moments she had tried to keep folded away. These recollections are not grand flashpoints but shards — sensory, intimate, and often painful. The book excels at showing how the past lives inside a person, how remembrance can be both refuge and wound, and how a woman continually remakes herself in the face of public wrongs and private losses.
Renunciation Reconsidered
“Renunciation” here is not a single theatrical act; it’s a process. The novel reframes it as a series of quiet surrenders and resistances: surrender of status, of voice, of expectations, and the resistance that remains in choosing love and principle over revenge or spectacle. That moral complexity stayed with me — renunciation is depicted as a moral landscape rather than a one-time event.
Emotional Resonance
I finished the book with a lingering mixture of warmth and ache. There are scenes of domestic tenderness that made me smile and other moments that left me heavy with empathy. The novel’s restraint — its refusal to overstate — gives its sadness a credibility I respected. It made me think about what courage looks like when it is patient and private.
Quibble
At times the pacing slows too much in reflective stretches, which may test readers used to faster narratives. Still, those pauses often deepen the emotional texture rather than derail it.
Final Thoughts — Who Should Read It
If you want a retelling that privileges interior life over spectacle, this is for you. It’s a tender, thoughtful portrait of Sita as mother, memory-keeper, and moral presence. I recommend it to readers who appreciate myth told through quiet human detail and to anyone who wants a fresh, compassionate look at a familiar figure.
The Prose and the Atmosphere
The writing is gentle and lyrical without being precious. Descriptions of the forest, the simple rhythms of ashram life, and the domestic details of Sita’s days stay with you — a bowl left on a windowsill, a morning light on the trees, the way mundane tasks carry the weight of history. For me, the tone made the emotional beats land more honestly: the book asks you to listen rather than to be dazzled.
Sita — Human, Not Hymn
What moved me most was how fully human Sita feels here. She is not an untouchable ideal or a mere symbol; she loves, she suffers, she remembers, she protects. Her dignity is quiet and earned. The novel gives space to her private choices — the tender discipline of mothering, the small defenses she builds to survive — and in those choices I found a heroic softness that felt true to the character I thought I knew.
Luv and Kush — Childhood and Unknowing Bonds
The relationship between Sita and her twin sons is the emotional core. Watching her raise boys who do not know their origins made many scenes unexpectedly tender. Their innocence — even their later act of singing in honour of a king they do not recognise as their father — is heartbreaking in the best sense: it shows how lineage and identity can be lived out of harmony with truth, and how love is given unconditionally despite that gap.
Memory, Truth, and the Unmaking of Self
Memory drives the novel. As truth edges closer, Sita is forced to revisit moments she had tried to keep folded away. These recollections are not grand flashpoints but shards — sensory, intimate, and often painful. The book excels at showing how the past lives inside a person, how remembrance can be both refuge and wound, and how a woman continually remakes herself in the face of public wrongs and private losses.
Renunciation Reconsidered
“Renunciation” here is not a single theatrical act; it’s a process. The novel reframes it as a series of quiet surrenders and resistances: surrender of status, of voice, of expectations, and the resistance that remains in choosing love and principle over revenge or spectacle. That moral complexity stayed with me — renunciation is depicted as a moral landscape rather than a one-time event.
Emotional Resonance
I finished the book with a lingering mixture of warmth and ache. There are scenes of domestic tenderness that made me smile and other moments that left me heavy with empathy. The novel’s restraint — its refusal to overstate — gives its sadness a credibility I respected. It made me think about what courage looks like when it is patient and private.
Quibble
At times the pacing slows too much in reflective stretches, which may test readers used to faster narratives. Still, those pauses often deepen the emotional texture rather than derail it.
Final Thoughts — Who Should Read It
If you want a retelling that privileges interior life over spectacle, this is for you. It’s a tender, thoughtful portrait of Sita as mother, memory-keeper, and moral presence. I recommend it to readers who appreciate myth told through quiet human detail and to anyone who wants a fresh, compassionate look at a familiar figure.
December 14, 2025
16th Book of 2025
Mythological retellings have become increasingly popular in recent years, but very few manage to strike a balance between reverence for the original text and a fresh, emotionally engaging perspective. The Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal succeeds in doing exactly that. Instead of retelling the Ramayana in its entirety, the book chooses to focus on one of its most painful yet profound chapters—Sita’s life after her exile, her motherhood, and her ultimate choice of dignity over belonging.
The story unfolds in the serene surroundings of Sage Valmiki’s hermitage, where Sita lives with her twin sons, Luv and Kush. Far removed from the grandeur of Ayodhya and the noise of royal expectations, this setting allows the reader to see Sita not as a divine symbol, but as a deeply human woman—one who loves fiercely, remembers painfully, and carries silence as both shield and strength. The author beautifully captures the emotional stillness of this phase of Sita’s life, making the forest almost a character in itself.
What stands out most in this retelling is the way Sita’s inner world is portrayed. Her suffering is not dramatized unnecessarily, nor is it reduced to victimhood. Instead, it is presented as lived experience—layered with love, disappointment, courage, and unwavering self-respect. The scenes between Sita and her sons are particularly touching. Her maternal instincts, her protectiveness, and her quiet fear of the truth one day surfacing are written with great sensitivity. These moments give the book its emotional core.
The narrative gains further depth when Valmiki teaches Luv and Kush to sing the Ramayana, unknowingly narrating the life story of their own parents. This irony is handled with subtlety, allowing readers to feel Sita’s internal conflict without overt exposition. The past, which she has carefully sealed away, slowly begins to resurface—forcing her to confront memories she never truly escaped.
What I appreciated most about The Renunciation is that it does not attempt to judge the epic or its characters. Lord Ram is not diminished, nor is Sita elevated through comparison. Instead, the book gently highlights the emotional gaps within the larger narrative—spaces where Sita’s voice was often unheard. Her final act of renunciation is portrayed not as defeat, but as a conscious, powerful choice—one rooted in self-worth and inner clarity. The few pages are very emotional and once the book ended, it wasn’t easy for me to keep it aside and forget. It took me lot of days to come in terms with it.
Talking about few drawbacks, I feel that the sections of the story have been over-described which makes it boring to read the complete sentences at times and you feel like skipping few lines because they don’t take the story further. Similarly, I feel that there is lot to Sita’s character which could have been explored but kept away from the scope of the book which makes the readers feel incompleteness to her complete journey.
Overall, The Renunciation is a thoughtful, emotionally resonant retelling that invites readers to pause and reflect. It is less about spectacle and more about silence, endurance, and the courage it takes to let go. For readers who enjoy mythology told through introspection rather than grandeur, this book is a rewarding and memorable read. I’ll give this book 3.75* out of 5.
Thanks
WRITING BUDDHA
Mythological retellings have become increasingly popular in recent years, but very few manage to strike a balance between reverence for the original text and a fresh, emotionally engaging perspective. The Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal succeeds in doing exactly that. Instead of retelling the Ramayana in its entirety, the book chooses to focus on one of its most painful yet profound chapters—Sita’s life after her exile, her motherhood, and her ultimate choice of dignity over belonging.
The story unfolds in the serene surroundings of Sage Valmiki’s hermitage, where Sita lives with her twin sons, Luv and Kush. Far removed from the grandeur of Ayodhya and the noise of royal expectations, this setting allows the reader to see Sita not as a divine symbol, but as a deeply human woman—one who loves fiercely, remembers painfully, and carries silence as both shield and strength. The author beautifully captures the emotional stillness of this phase of Sita’s life, making the forest almost a character in itself.
What stands out most in this retelling is the way Sita’s inner world is portrayed. Her suffering is not dramatized unnecessarily, nor is it reduced to victimhood. Instead, it is presented as lived experience—layered with love, disappointment, courage, and unwavering self-respect. The scenes between Sita and her sons are particularly touching. Her maternal instincts, her protectiveness, and her quiet fear of the truth one day surfacing are written with great sensitivity. These moments give the book its emotional core.
The narrative gains further depth when Valmiki teaches Luv and Kush to sing the Ramayana, unknowingly narrating the life story of their own parents. This irony is handled with subtlety, allowing readers to feel Sita’s internal conflict without overt exposition. The past, which she has carefully sealed away, slowly begins to resurface—forcing her to confront memories she never truly escaped.
What I appreciated most about The Renunciation is that it does not attempt to judge the epic or its characters. Lord Ram is not diminished, nor is Sita elevated through comparison. Instead, the book gently highlights the emotional gaps within the larger narrative—spaces where Sita’s voice was often unheard. Her final act of renunciation is portrayed not as defeat, but as a conscious, powerful choice—one rooted in self-worth and inner clarity. The few pages are very emotional and once the book ended, it wasn’t easy for me to keep it aside and forget. It took me lot of days to come in terms with it.
Talking about few drawbacks, I feel that the sections of the story have been over-described which makes it boring to read the complete sentences at times and you feel like skipping few lines because they don’t take the story further. Similarly, I feel that there is lot to Sita’s character which could have been explored but kept away from the scope of the book which makes the readers feel incompleteness to her complete journey.
Overall, The Renunciation is a thoughtful, emotionally resonant retelling that invites readers to pause and reflect. It is less about spectacle and more about silence, endurance, and the courage it takes to let go. For readers who enjoy mythology told through introspection rather than grandeur, this book is a rewarding and memorable read. I’ll give this book 3.75* out of 5.
Thanks
WRITING BUDDHA
December 22, 2025
🍀 Between the Pages-
“Why were they glorifying Ram's devotion? How he had not taken another wife, how he had built her statue. A golden statue!
He may be acknowledging her purity through gold, but was he also not refuting the claims by building a statue. Why such a need when she was right here? This immortalising in gold and story was being erased in life.
Golden deer to golden Sita! Life had come a long way in”
🍀Book- The Renunciation
🍀 Author -Pragya Agarwal
🍀Plot- Sita, along with her two sons, stayed in the hermitage of Sage Valmiki.
Luv and Kush, ten years old, were always excited to listen to the story of the princess born from no womb. Listening to stories was a regular ritual for them.
Vandevi, as Sita was called by everyone in the hermitage, took refuge there after being told to leave Ayodhya by Ram.
Sage Valmiki completed writing the great epic Ramayana, and now it was time to go to Ayodhya along with Luv and Kush to sing in honour of Rama—a hymn for a father they had never known.
Ram was unaware of his children, as his banishment of Sita had once been hailed as a noble sacrifice.
One day, amid great commotion, a horse emerged. Luv and Kush, unaware of its significance, were adamant about keeping the Ashwamedh horse, and instead of returning it, they were ready to fight Ram.
🍀Review-
The Ramayana, as we know, is one of the oldest epics, and the story of Ram and Sita is familiar to everyone. Their love, their fourteen years of exile, Sita’s abduction by Ravan, Ram’s search for her, the killing of Ravan, and Sita’s rescue from his clutches—this story is not new.
However, this retelling is different. It is not from Ram’s point of view; it is from the perspective of Sita.
Sita—born not from a womb, but from the Earth itself. Sita, the daughter of Mother Earth. Sita, whose name is forever linked with Ram. Sita, who left behind all comforts and followed Ram into exile.
Ram killed Ravan and freed her, yet he questioned her purity.
She was made to sit on the pyre to prove her chastity.
And this was not the end. Once again, Ram banished her simply because he heard people questioning her chastity .
Now, once more, Ram and Sita stood face to face, and Ram wanted Sita to return with him. But this time, Sita had questions for Ram. After being tested and questioned twice, it was no longer Ram who had to decide—it was Sita who chose renunciation.
🍀Strength-
Poetic language and beautiful descriptions of nature transport the reader to an entirely different world.
• The scenes of Ram and Sita staying in Chitrakoot, along with the mesmerising beauty of the place, are especially captivating.
• Through the story of Ram and Sita, the author raises an important question—one that has been debated for generations.
• One of the best aspects of the book is the seamless transition between the past and the present.
• Although we all know this story, the level of enjoyment depends on the author’s narration, and here the author has done a remarkable job.
• For me, it was a dreamy journey that ultimately ended with a hard-hitting reality.
🍀Audience:
• Anyone looking for a mythological read with an entirely new narrative should definitely pick this up.
“Why were they glorifying Ram's devotion? How he had not taken another wife, how he had built her statue. A golden statue!
He may be acknowledging her purity through gold, but was he also not refuting the claims by building a statue. Why such a need when she was right here? This immortalising in gold and story was being erased in life.
Golden deer to golden Sita! Life had come a long way in”
🍀Book- The Renunciation
🍀 Author -Pragya Agarwal
🍀Plot- Sita, along with her two sons, stayed in the hermitage of Sage Valmiki.
Luv and Kush, ten years old, were always excited to listen to the story of the princess born from no womb. Listening to stories was a regular ritual for them.
Vandevi, as Sita was called by everyone in the hermitage, took refuge there after being told to leave Ayodhya by Ram.
Sage Valmiki completed writing the great epic Ramayana, and now it was time to go to Ayodhya along with Luv and Kush to sing in honour of Rama—a hymn for a father they had never known.
Ram was unaware of his children, as his banishment of Sita had once been hailed as a noble sacrifice.
One day, amid great commotion, a horse emerged. Luv and Kush, unaware of its significance, were adamant about keeping the Ashwamedh horse, and instead of returning it, they were ready to fight Ram.
🍀Review-
The Ramayana, as we know, is one of the oldest epics, and the story of Ram and Sita is familiar to everyone. Their love, their fourteen years of exile, Sita’s abduction by Ravan, Ram’s search for her, the killing of Ravan, and Sita’s rescue from his clutches—this story is not new.
However, this retelling is different. It is not from Ram’s point of view; it is from the perspective of Sita.
Sita—born not from a womb, but from the Earth itself. Sita, the daughter of Mother Earth. Sita, whose name is forever linked with Ram. Sita, who left behind all comforts and followed Ram into exile.
Ram killed Ravan and freed her, yet he questioned her purity.
She was made to sit on the pyre to prove her chastity.
And this was not the end. Once again, Ram banished her simply because he heard people questioning her chastity .
Now, once more, Ram and Sita stood face to face, and Ram wanted Sita to return with him. But this time, Sita had questions for Ram. After being tested and questioned twice, it was no longer Ram who had to decide—it was Sita who chose renunciation.
🍀Strength-
Poetic language and beautiful descriptions of nature transport the reader to an entirely different world.
• The scenes of Ram and Sita staying in Chitrakoot, along with the mesmerising beauty of the place, are especially captivating.
• Through the story of Ram and Sita, the author raises an important question—one that has been debated for generations.
• One of the best aspects of the book is the seamless transition between the past and the present.
• Although we all know this story, the level of enjoyment depends on the author’s narration, and here the author has done a remarkable job.
• For me, it was a dreamy journey that ultimately ended with a hard-hitting reality.
🍀Audience:
• Anyone looking for a mythological read with an entirely new narrative should definitely pick this up.
December 2, 2025
Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal is a beautifully crafted retelling of the Ramayana from Sita's perspective that stays true to the essence and facts of the Valmiki Ramayana, while giving the narrative a contemporary punch. A deeply relatable retelling, here Ram and Sita don't appear as godly figures, rather deeply human. I loved the way the author brings freshness to the story without altering or twisting any of its original elements—something truly commendable.
The fact that no events from Valmiki’s text are concocted or distorted is where lies its striking strength. No unnecessary literary liberty, no sensationalism, and no forcing of modern ideology upon the ancient narrative. Instead, Pragya Agarwal presents the story with great integrity, reverence, and scholarship. And yet it was interesting to encounter facets that aren't widely talked about.
Here, Sita emerges as a strong, resilient, thoughtful, and dignified figure—a portrayal that aligns authentically with Valmiki’s own depiction, yet feels even more accessible and inspiring. She is not shown as fragile or docile, but as a woman of immense depth, clarity, and courage. She fiercely chooses, and still performs her duty - which is what true feminism stands for. That balance of values is what makes the book an accessible and inspiring choice for the teenagers and younger generations.
The storytelling is fluid, intensely lyrical and deeply atmospheric, drawing the readers in from the very first chapter. Its unpretentious yet immersive language makes the book an excellent choice both for those encountering the Ramayana for the first time, as well for ones well versed on it.
What struck me most was the rightful balance of devotion and drama, tradition and modernity, authenticity and creativity—without compromising on any front. It's not a glorification of the battles, and gods, over even events, but Sita's reflections over defining events of her journey, inviting one to reflect on the weight of choices and repurcussions.
In short, a must-read for all, but especially the new generation, to rediscover the Ramayana in a form that is both truthful and emotionally resonant. A wonderful effort, and a valuable addition to contemporary mythological literature.
The fact that no events from Valmiki’s text are concocted or distorted is where lies its striking strength. No unnecessary literary liberty, no sensationalism, and no forcing of modern ideology upon the ancient narrative. Instead, Pragya Agarwal presents the story with great integrity, reverence, and scholarship. And yet it was interesting to encounter facets that aren't widely talked about.
Here, Sita emerges as a strong, resilient, thoughtful, and dignified figure—a portrayal that aligns authentically with Valmiki’s own depiction, yet feels even more accessible and inspiring. She is not shown as fragile or docile, but as a woman of immense depth, clarity, and courage. She fiercely chooses, and still performs her duty - which is what true feminism stands for. That balance of values is what makes the book an accessible and inspiring choice for the teenagers and younger generations.
The storytelling is fluid, intensely lyrical and deeply atmospheric, drawing the readers in from the very first chapter. Its unpretentious yet immersive language makes the book an excellent choice both for those encountering the Ramayana for the first time, as well for ones well versed on it.
What struck me most was the rightful balance of devotion and drama, tradition and modernity, authenticity and creativity—without compromising on any front. It's not a glorification of the battles, and gods, over even events, but Sita's reflections over defining events of her journey, inviting one to reflect on the weight of choices and repurcussions.
In short, a must-read for all, but especially the new generation, to rediscover the Ramayana in a form that is both truthful and emotionally resonant. A wonderful effort, and a valuable addition to contemporary mythological literature.
December 25, 2025
What if the real test of Sita’s strength was not fire, but survival? This story begins where most retellings fall silent — after duty is fulfilled and a woman is left to live with its cost. The author chooses to stay with that silence. Instead of revisiting the grandeur of the Ramayana, she turns her gaze toward exile, abandonment, and the quiet cruelty of being asked to prove oneself again and again. This is Sita’s story after the world has judged her, after duty has been served, and after love has failed her.
Sita is written with striking emotional honesty. She is not distant or divine here — she is tired, hurt, and trying to make sense of her abandonment. The forest is not a place of peace but of survival. In Valmiki’s ashram, her days are shaped by motherhood, silence, and memory. Raising Luv and Kush becomes her way of holding on, of creating meaning in a life that has been quietly dismantled. There is deep loneliness in her journey, but also a steady, hard-earned strength. Through her, the book asks an uncomfortable question: why is endurance so often expected from women, and why is suffering treated as proof of character?
The writing is controlled and thoughtful, allowing emotions to unfold naturally. The pain is not loud; it settles slowly. Rama’s absence is felt more than his presence, and his sense of duty hangs over the story like a shadow. The book never turns him into a villain, but it makes us feel the weight of his choices — and how easily moral ideals can become a burden placed on one person alone.
What makes this story resonate is its understanding of choice. Sita’s strength lies not in endless sacrifice, but in her decision to step away from a world that keeps asking for proof. Her renunciation is quiet but firm — not an act of defeat, but of self-respect. It challenges the idea that suffering is noble, and suggests that choosing peace can be an act of courage.
The ending stays with you in a quiet, unsettling way. Sita’s return to the earth feels calm, deliberate, and deeply personal — a final decision made on her own terms. This is a reflective, emotionally grounded novel that invites us to see Sita not as an ideal to be admired from a distance, but as a woman whose strength lay in knowing when to let go.
Sita is written with striking emotional honesty. She is not distant or divine here — she is tired, hurt, and trying to make sense of her abandonment. The forest is not a place of peace but of survival. In Valmiki’s ashram, her days are shaped by motherhood, silence, and memory. Raising Luv and Kush becomes her way of holding on, of creating meaning in a life that has been quietly dismantled. There is deep loneliness in her journey, but also a steady, hard-earned strength. Through her, the book asks an uncomfortable question: why is endurance so often expected from women, and why is suffering treated as proof of character?
The writing is controlled and thoughtful, allowing emotions to unfold naturally. The pain is not loud; it settles slowly. Rama’s absence is felt more than his presence, and his sense of duty hangs over the story like a shadow. The book never turns him into a villain, but it makes us feel the weight of his choices — and how easily moral ideals can become a burden placed on one person alone.
What makes this story resonate is its understanding of choice. Sita’s strength lies not in endless sacrifice, but in her decision to step away from a world that keeps asking for proof. Her renunciation is quiet but firm — not an act of defeat, but of self-respect. It challenges the idea that suffering is noble, and suggests that choosing peace can be an act of courage.
The ending stays with you in a quiet, unsettling way. Sita’s return to the earth feels calm, deliberate, and deeply personal — a final decision made on her own terms. This is a reflective, emotionally grounded novel that invites us to see Sita not as an ideal to be admired from a distance, but as a woman whose strength lay in knowing when to let go.
November 21, 2025
Sita's Silence: A Story of Love, Loss, and Unsung Strength
The Renunciation is a haunting and deeply emotional retelling of one of the Ramayana’s most painful episodes. Instead of glorifying the battles or divine miracles, this novel turns its attention to the quiet endurance of Sita after her final exile. It is not a story of grandeur but of grace, the kind that comes from pain, solitude, and unbreakable dignity.
The strength of the book lies in how it reimagines Sita, not as a distant goddess but as a woman of flesh and spirit. In the calm seclusion of Valmiki’s ashram, she raises her sons, Luv and Kush, while carrying the heavy secret of their true lineage. Every moment in this part of her life is written with such tenderness that you can almost feel the silence of the forest, the ache of her memories, and the quiet pride she hides behind her calmness.
What makes this story so powerful is its focus on Sita’s internal world, her suppressed love, her lingering pain, and her unwavering strength. The author doesn’t portray her as a victim but as someone who has chosen peace over bitterness. The emotional weight of the novel peaks when her sons unknowingly cross paths with their father, a meeting that reopens every wound she thought had healed.
The Renunciation is not just about Sita’s suffering, it is about her transcendence. It shows how letting go can sometimes be the most powerful act of all. The writing is gentle yet piercing, carrying the kind of emotional truth that lingers.
A perfect book to start your day.
The Renunciation is a haunting and deeply emotional retelling of one of the Ramayana’s most painful episodes. Instead of glorifying the battles or divine miracles, this novel turns its attention to the quiet endurance of Sita after her final exile. It is not a story of grandeur but of grace, the kind that comes from pain, solitude, and unbreakable dignity.
The strength of the book lies in how it reimagines Sita, not as a distant goddess but as a woman of flesh and spirit. In the calm seclusion of Valmiki’s ashram, she raises her sons, Luv and Kush, while carrying the heavy secret of their true lineage. Every moment in this part of her life is written with such tenderness that you can almost feel the silence of the forest, the ache of her memories, and the quiet pride she hides behind her calmness.
What makes this story so powerful is its focus on Sita’s internal world, her suppressed love, her lingering pain, and her unwavering strength. The author doesn’t portray her as a victim but as someone who has chosen peace over bitterness. The emotional weight of the novel peaks when her sons unknowingly cross paths with their father, a meeting that reopens every wound she thought had healed.
The Renunciation is not just about Sita’s suffering, it is about her transcendence. It shows how letting go can sometimes be the most powerful act of all. The writing is gentle yet piercing, carrying the kind of emotional truth that lingers.
A perfect book to start your day.
December 8, 2025
In our union we achieved so much. In our seperation we are destined for even more.
Book: The Renunciation
Author: Pragya Agarwal
Genre: Mythology
@rupa_publications
'The Renunciation' is a retelling of Valmiki's Ramayan.
In Valmiki's Ramayan, Lord Ram shines with celebrated qualities but Sita doesn't occupies more that ten percent of Valmiki's text. In this book, the author attempts to illuminate Sita without ever diminishing Lord Ram.
Here the narrative brings forward Sita’s quiet strength in a way that feels both powerful and authentic. The book portrays Sita as a brave woman who bears great suffering for no fault of hers. Sita’s emotional turmoil is shown not as weakness but as part of her inner strength. Her emotions are expressed in a way that readers can truly feel her pain.
The book places greater emphasis on the emotional aspects of the story. It encourages readers to look at the epic with more openness and to question the traditional interpretations. The author’s writing is immersive and feels very emotional that will keep you engaged till the last page. Those final pages hit hard - the emotional weight and pain were almost overwhelming.
My favorite part of the book was the beautiful scenes between Sita and her sons Luv and Kush. I liked how the author has presented those scenes very raw, very beautiful.
Overall i like how the author has presented Sita’s journey. After a long time i have read an engaging retelling and if you love mythological retellings then dont skip this one.
Book: The Renunciation
Author: Pragya Agarwal
Genre: Mythology
@rupa_publications
'The Renunciation' is a retelling of Valmiki's Ramayan.
In Valmiki's Ramayan, Lord Ram shines with celebrated qualities but Sita doesn't occupies more that ten percent of Valmiki's text. In this book, the author attempts to illuminate Sita without ever diminishing Lord Ram.
Here the narrative brings forward Sita’s quiet strength in a way that feels both powerful and authentic. The book portrays Sita as a brave woman who bears great suffering for no fault of hers. Sita’s emotional turmoil is shown not as weakness but as part of her inner strength. Her emotions are expressed in a way that readers can truly feel her pain.
The book places greater emphasis on the emotional aspects of the story. It encourages readers to look at the epic with more openness and to question the traditional interpretations. The author’s writing is immersive and feels very emotional that will keep you engaged till the last page. Those final pages hit hard - the emotional weight and pain were almost overwhelming.
My favorite part of the book was the beautiful scenes between Sita and her sons Luv and Kush. I liked how the author has presented those scenes very raw, very beautiful.
Overall i like how the author has presented Sita’s journey. After a long time i have read an engaging retelling and if you love mythological retellings then dont skip this one.
December 3, 2025
This retelling of Sita’s journey is a deeply emotional and intimate exploration of motherhood, identity, sacrifice, and strength. Set in the serene refuge of Sage Valmiki’s hermitage, the story begins with Sita raising her twin sons—Luv and Kush—far from the chaos of Ayodhya and the sorrow of her past. Shielding them from the truth of their origins, she devotes herself to giving them a life untouched by the burdens she carries.
The narrative beautifully portrays the pivotal moment when Valmiki teaches the boys to sing the Ramayana, unaware that they are praising their own father. Their innocent devotion contrasts sharply with Sita’s internal turmoil—her memories of love, abandonment, and betrayal burning like quiet embers within her.
But destiny refuses to remain silent. As the past resurfaces, Sita is forced once again to confront the flames of her history. The story captures her resilience with remarkable tenderness—showing not just her suffering, but also her extraordinary ability to rise, protect, and rebuild.
What stands out most is the novel’s sensitive portrayal of Sita not as a mythic figure, but as a woman—strong, conflicted, compassionate, and unwavering in her principles. It’s a tale of revelations, reunions, and the painful beauty of letting go.
⭐ A poignant, empowering, and soul-stirring reimagining of a timeless character. A must-read for lovers of mythology and emotional storytelling.
The narrative beautifully portrays the pivotal moment when Valmiki teaches the boys to sing the Ramayana, unaware that they are praising their own father. Their innocent devotion contrasts sharply with Sita’s internal turmoil—her memories of love, abandonment, and betrayal burning like quiet embers within her.
But destiny refuses to remain silent. As the past resurfaces, Sita is forced once again to confront the flames of her history. The story captures her resilience with remarkable tenderness—showing not just her suffering, but also her extraordinary ability to rise, protect, and rebuild.
What stands out most is the novel’s sensitive portrayal of Sita not as a mythic figure, but as a woman—strong, conflicted, compassionate, and unwavering in her principles. It’s a tale of revelations, reunions, and the painful beauty of letting go.
⭐ A poignant, empowering, and soul-stirring reimagining of a timeless character. A must-read for lovers of mythology and emotional storytelling.
January 5, 2026
𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
"Crowning might be mine, but the ruling will be ours. I hope you will keep offering your brilliant advice, Maharani Sita."
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
I love retellings based on Indian Epics. This book offered a unique take on Mata Sita’s narrative, and I was instantly intrigued.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
I really like the book cover. The illustration is beautiful, appropriate, and eye-catching. It also includes a map and a character key.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭?
The book revisits the Ramayana and then follows the story of Luv and Kush, all while centering Mata Sita’s perspective and her bond with Lord Rama.
𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧:
✓ The book covers all the significant events of the Ramayana, beginning with Mata Sita’s birth and culminating in the moment she surrenders herself to the Earth.
✓ It questions several situations from a woman’s perspective, which feels both thought provoking and refreshing.
✓ The inclusion of Sanskrit shlokas and words adds authenticity and depth to the narrative.
✓ However, it is important to keep personal faith aside while reading any retelling, as these interpretations humanise epics and can otherwise lead to prejudice.
✓ I particularly loved how the book consistently portrayed Mata Sita as being equal to Lord Rama, with both of them completing and complementing each other.
✓ This is one of the finest retellings I have read, and I highly recommend it.
January 11, 2026
Ever wondered what Ma Sita went through when she was banished from Ayodhya on Maharaja Ram's orders on the basis of a washerman's flimsy accusations? Or how she survived the War itself?
If yes, The Renunciation by Pragya Aggarwal is the book for you. This is a retelling of Valmiki's Ramayana from Sita's PoV, and I am so glad I read it.
This book captures the tenderness of Sita's love for Ram and Ram's intense love for Sita. It captures their adoration and affection for each other as they went through grueling conditions in the forest during their exile.
It also captures the loneliness and immense pain that Sita endured on her banishment. How she brought up her twin kids, Luv and Kush, as a single mother in Sage Valmiki's hermitage pining for her husband's love but also understanding that she was not at fault.
This is not the story of a broken woman or a damsel in distress. It's a story of a woman forged through fire hiding a broken heart yet she didn't let any bitterness creep in her heart for anyone.
Another reason why I enjoyed reading it so much was the mesmerising visual renditions of various places such as the forest, Ayodhya's palace, or even Sage Valmiki's hermitage.
To conclude, I loved this book. I didn't even know I was waiting for this retelling. Highly recommended to lovers of Indian mythology.
If yes, The Renunciation by Pragya Aggarwal is the book for you. This is a retelling of Valmiki's Ramayana from Sita's PoV, and I am so glad I read it.
This book captures the tenderness of Sita's love for Ram and Ram's intense love for Sita. It captures their adoration and affection for each other as they went through grueling conditions in the forest during their exile.
It also captures the loneliness and immense pain that Sita endured on her banishment. How she brought up her twin kids, Luv and Kush, as a single mother in Sage Valmiki's hermitage pining for her husband's love but also understanding that she was not at fault.
This is not the story of a broken woman or a damsel in distress. It's a story of a woman forged through fire hiding a broken heart yet she didn't let any bitterness creep in her heart for anyone.
Another reason why I enjoyed reading it so much was the mesmerising visual renditions of various places such as the forest, Ayodhya's palace, or even Sage Valmiki's hermitage.
To conclude, I loved this book. I didn't even know I was waiting for this retelling. Highly recommended to lovers of Indian mythology.
December 11, 2025
It’s a rediscovery of Sita.
Pragya as an author masterfully reframes honour, dharma, duty through Sita’s perspective. Her writing is contemplative, reflective, nuanced - one that can be read to the younger generations who have known Sita in a different light. Her retelling is refreshing and she writes in a distinctly contemporary voice about Sita’s longing, loneliness, motherhood, memories, duty, identity and loss - highlighting her inner emotional conflicts which denies reconciliation at the cost of her self-respect, at the cost of conforming to society!
The narration is so vivid and cinematic that it reads like a ready screenplay - quaint feel of the ashram, opulence of the kingdom, charm of the forest, tenderness of relationships linger like the fragrance of ‘raat rani’ - you can almost see her words unfolding on screen (my favourite - at Ashok vatika Sita unconvincingly adorns herself flooded by her desire just to see Ram, her sweet contemplations and the bitter realisation)
A big applause for a brave attempt at transforming how we have engaged with Sita as a passive mythical figure in Ramayan than one whose prowess was equally significant in making of the epic.
Pragya as an author masterfully reframes honour, dharma, duty through Sita’s perspective. Her writing is contemplative, reflective, nuanced - one that can be read to the younger generations who have known Sita in a different light. Her retelling is refreshing and she writes in a distinctly contemporary voice about Sita’s longing, loneliness, motherhood, memories, duty, identity and loss - highlighting her inner emotional conflicts which denies reconciliation at the cost of her self-respect, at the cost of conforming to society!
The narration is so vivid and cinematic that it reads like a ready screenplay - quaint feel of the ashram, opulence of the kingdom, charm of the forest, tenderness of relationships linger like the fragrance of ‘raat rani’ - you can almost see her words unfolding on screen (my favourite - at Ashok vatika Sita unconvincingly adorns herself flooded by her desire just to see Ram, her sweet contemplations and the bitter realisation)
A big applause for a brave attempt at transforming how we have engaged with Sita as a passive mythical figure in Ramayan than one whose prowess was equally significant in making of the epic.
November 15, 2025
An atmospheric and utterly memorable retelling of Ramayana from Sita’s perspective. The Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal is a powerful reimagining of one of the most emotionally charged episodes of the Ramayana. This is not a retelling that seeks to shout; it listens. It listens to Sita’s silence, her endurance, her contradictions, and her quiet strength, and reveals a woman who has long been relegated to the margins of the epic yet deserves to be at its centre. Pragya writes with a painter’s eye, offering lush descriptions of forest life, maternal tenderness, and the fragile interior world of a woman forced to choose dignity over belonging. There is a thoughtful balance between mythic scale and intimate emotion. The emotional truth of Sita’s journey is described beautifully. Her love, her disillusionment, her fierce protectiveness of Luv and Kush, and her final act of renunciation. The book never seeks to judge the epic; instead, it reveals its fault lines with grace. A must read for those looking for a different perspective on Sita’s truth.
December 11, 2025
The Renunciation steps into Sita’s story not with fanfare, but with a quiet, aching intimacy. The cover, beautifully designed by Amrita Chakravorty and illustrated by Onkar Fondekar, captures this mood perfectly—Sita rendered in warm earth tones, surrounded by a forest that feels both protective and isolating. It sets the emotional register for a retelling that chooses nuance over spectacle.
Pragya Agrawal focuses on the years after Sita’s exile, and the writing—judging by the pages you shared—is tender, observant, and grounded in sensory detail. Her Sita is not a passive figure of devotion but a woman navigating the long aftershocks of abandonment while raising two sons who know nothing of the story that shaped them. There’s an undercurrent of tension running through the narrative: the weight of silence, the inevitability of revelation, and the fire of memory resurfacing at the worst possible moment.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
Pragya Agrawal focuses on the years after Sita’s exile, and the writing—judging by the pages you shared—is tender, observant, and grounded in sensory detail. Her Sita is not a passive figure of devotion but a woman navigating the long aftershocks of abandonment while raising two sons who know nothing of the story that shaped them. There’s an undercurrent of tension running through the narrative: the weight of silence, the inevitability of revelation, and the fire of memory resurfacing at the worst possible moment.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
November 15, 2025
The Renunciation by Pragya Aggarwal is a thoughtful and approachable retelling of the Ramayana. If someone is just stepping into the world of mythological retellings, this would likely be an enjoyable starting point — it’s written clearly, moves smoothly, and captures the essence of the original story without feeling overwhelming.
For me personally, the plot didn’t feel particularly new compared to other retellings I’ve read, but the writing itself is genuinely good. There’s a calm steadiness in her style and a clarity in her prose that makes the book easy to follow and pleasant to read. You can feel the intention and care behind the narrative.
I’d place this at around three stars — a solid read that may land even better for readers new to the genre. And although this one wasn’t a standout for me, I do think Pragya Aggarwal has a strong voice, and I’d definitely be interested in whatever she writes next.
For me personally, the plot didn’t feel particularly new compared to other retellings I’ve read, but the writing itself is genuinely good. There’s a calm steadiness in her style and a clarity in her prose that makes the book easy to follow and pleasant to read. You can feel the intention and care behind the narrative.
I’d place this at around three stars — a solid read that may land even better for readers new to the genre. And although this one wasn’t a standout for me, I do think Pragya Aggarwal has a strong voice, and I’d definitely be interested in whatever she writes next.
December 7, 2025
The Renunciation by Pragya Agrawal is a fresh, lyrical retelling of Sita’s story that flips the epic on its head. Instead of a distant goddess, Agrawal paints Sita as a flesh‑and‑blood woman navigating heartbreak, injustice, and impossible expectations with quiet strength 🌿. The “renunciation” isn’t a single dramatic act; it’s a series of small, everyday surrenders—of status, voice, and expectation—that shape her identity over decades 📖. Set in the serene ashram of Sage Valmiki, the novel follows Sita as she raises her twin sons, Luv and Kush, while keeping her past hidden. Their innocent bond and the tender moments they share become the emotional core of the book, highlighting themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and the cost of honor 💖. Agrawal’s prose is gentle yet vivid, filled with sensory details—wet clay, the scent of raat‑rani, the hush of the forest—that linger long after the page is turned 🌙.
Author - @pragyaagrawal.author
Publisher @rupa_publications
Author - @pragyaagrawal.author
Publisher @rupa_publications
December 8, 2025
I just finished reading The Renunciation by Pragya Agarwal a book Rupa Publications kindly sent my way feeding my Mythology/Historical fiction hunger.
Pragya Agarwal,a dual-qualified landscape architect and architect from CEPT,brings a completely fresh,perception-shifting lens to the Ramayana.
This isn’t the story we grew up hearing,this is Agarwal’s Ramayana,quiet yet bold,gentle yet deeply unsettling in all the right ways.
The book begins where most retellings end, in Valmiki’s ashram where Sita is a woman & mother remembering,enduring,loving & raising her twins while guarding them from the shadows of her past.
There’s a tenderness in the way Agarwal writes about the earth goddess,a softness that makes the emotional beats land even harder.
What stayed with me were the moral dilemmas told so subtly,the small moments that breathe, the way memory returns in fragments a scent, a wound, a whisper.
perception-shifting retelling, modern Ramayana twist, tender yet powerful narrative,
Pragya Agarwal,a dual-qualified landscape architect and architect from CEPT,brings a completely fresh,perception-shifting lens to the Ramayana.
This isn’t the story we grew up hearing,this is Agarwal’s Ramayana,quiet yet bold,gentle yet deeply unsettling in all the right ways.
The book begins where most retellings end, in Valmiki’s ashram where Sita is a woman & mother remembering,enduring,loving & raising her twins while guarding them from the shadows of her past.
There’s a tenderness in the way Agarwal writes about the earth goddess,a softness that makes the emotional beats land even harder.
What stayed with me were the moral dilemmas told so subtly,the small moments that breathe, the way memory returns in fragments a scent, a wound, a whisper.
perception-shifting retelling, modern Ramayana twist, tender yet powerful narrative,
December 16, 2025
"The Renunciation" is a heartfelt retelling of Sita Mata story from the Ramayana. It focuses on her tough life after being sent away by Ram, raising her twin sons Luv and Kush, and her final big choice to return to the earth. The book shows Sita as a strong woman who faces pain but stays true to herself..
She loves Ramji deeply but goes through exile, kidnapping by Ravana, a fire test, and then banishment while pregnant due to people's gossip. In Valmiki's forest home, she raises her boys who don't know their dad. The story ends with her letting go of everything in a quiet, powerful way.
The words are simple, beautiful, and pull you in with real feelings. Scenes like the boys singing about Ram without knowing he's their father hit hard. It's not full of big battles but deep thoughts on love, hurt, and letting go...
She loves Ramji deeply but goes through exile, kidnapping by Ravana, a fire test, and then banishment while pregnant due to people's gossip. In Valmiki's forest home, she raises her boys who don't know their dad. The story ends with her letting go of everything in a quiet, powerful way.
The words are simple, beautiful, and pull you in with real feelings. Scenes like the boys singing about Ram without knowing he's their father hit hard. It's not full of big battles but deep thoughts on love, hurt, and letting go...
December 31, 2025
The Renunciation by Pragya Agarwal completely captivated me. This book is a deeply moving, emotionally rich exploration of Sita’s inner world and I loved every quiet moment of it. Reading this felt like finally hearing Sita speak for herself, not as a symbol, but as a woman with thoughts, pain, strength, and agency.
What excited me most was how human Sita feels here. Set in Valmiki’s ashram, the story focuses on her life after exile, her motherhood, her memories, and the weight of choices she is forced to carry. The writing is lyrical yet accessible, filled with tenderness and quiet power. Every page made me pause and reflect.
This book draws you in through emotional depth and restraint. The Renunciation is thoughtful, feminist, and deeply empathetic. It made me admire Sita not just for her endurance, but for her courage to choose herself. A beautiful, unforgettable read.
What excited me most was how human Sita feels here. Set in Valmiki’s ashram, the story focuses on her life after exile, her motherhood, her memories, and the weight of choices she is forced to carry. The writing is lyrical yet accessible, filled with tenderness and quiet power. Every page made me pause and reflect.
This book draws you in through emotional depth and restraint. The Renunciation is thoughtful, feminist, and deeply empathetic. It made me admire Sita not just for her endurance, but for her courage to choose herself. A beautiful, unforgettable read.
December 11, 2025
This book is a gentle and thoughtful retelling of the Ramayana from the perspective of Mata Sita.
The book focuses on her life in Valmiki's ashram and her memories of everything she experienced – love, exile, motherhood and the pain of being misunderstood.
It invites you to revisit the Ramayana through the emotions and choices of a character who is crucial to the story but rarely talked about.
The writing is calm and contemplative, portraying Mata Sita as a strong, sensitive woman who tries to stay true to herself despite the burden of expectations.
It's a quiet story, but filled with emotion, dignity, and a new understanding of Mata Sita's decisions.
Overall, it's a beautiful work for anyone who wants to understand Mata Sita's journey in a more intimate and human way.
The book focuses on her life in Valmiki's ashram and her memories of everything she experienced – love, exile, motherhood and the pain of being misunderstood.
It invites you to revisit the Ramayana through the emotions and choices of a character who is crucial to the story but rarely talked about.
The writing is calm and contemplative, portraying Mata Sita as a strong, sensitive woman who tries to stay true to herself despite the burden of expectations.
It's a quiet story, but filled with emotion, dignity, and a new understanding of Mata Sita's decisions.
Overall, it's a beautiful work for anyone who wants to understand Mata Sita's journey in a more intimate and human way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews