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Mandodari
Borrowing from Sanghadasa's Jaina version of the Ramayana, Mandodari—one of the least known characters of the Hindu epic—is finally given a voice.
Considered to be one of the most beautiful apsaras, she was married off to the mighty Ravana, the legendary king of Lanka. In her story, she speaks about her struggles after her marriage, her insecurities and her pious nature that challenged her husband's growing aspirations. She narrates the rise of Ravana's power and the blunders he made that ultimately caused the downfall of Lanka.
Despite her husband's faults, Mandodari loved him and advised him to follow the path of righteousness. Ravana's defeat in a thirteen-day war turned him into a villain. But what if he were the real hero on his side of the war? What if his downfall was a result of scheming to push him out of power? This is Mandodari's story.
Considered to be one of the most beautiful apsaras, she was married off to the mighty Ravana, the legendary king of Lanka. In her story, she speaks about her struggles after her marriage, her insecurities and her pious nature that challenged her husband's growing aspirations. She narrates the rise of Ravana's power and the blunders he made that ultimately caused the downfall of Lanka.
Despite her husband's faults, Mandodari loved him and advised him to follow the path of righteousness. Ravana's defeat in a thirteen-day war turned him into a villain. But what if he were the real hero on his side of the war? What if his downfall was a result of scheming to push him out of power? This is Mandodari's story.
288 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2018
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374 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 62 reviews
August 20, 2018
The author has done a brilliant job in retelling the entire epic from Mandodari's perception. The narrative is simple and elegant, the author I guess chooses to maintain a non dramatic narrative because it is actually Mandodari who is narrating the story. Not sure why some readers couldn't appreciate the narrative.
I feel the author gives the reader enough space to explore their own views about Ravana and his actions.
There is a strong notion that Mandodari potrays in the last few chapters, almost challenging the status quo. For a debut novel I would say it's a bold step and truly justified when you compare it with other versions of Ramayana (like tribal versions and Chandrabati's version of Ramayana that begins with Mandodari as well)
I have read a few other books from the same genre. 'Asura' was a very well researched counter telling but it was too lengthy. In Mandodari, the author keeps it crisp and the book can be read in two or three sittings. She has put too much depth into the character while writing the dialogues. I changed my perception towards Vibhishana at the end.
The best part is that the author does not out her own opinion or views into characterization and simply allows the reader to make a rendition of his own.
In short, a very well written memoir (if I can say that) with all the events from Ramayana being covered. Must read!
I feel the author gives the reader enough space to explore their own views about Ravana and his actions.
There is a strong notion that Mandodari potrays in the last few chapters, almost challenging the status quo. For a debut novel I would say it's a bold step and truly justified when you compare it with other versions of Ramayana (like tribal versions and Chandrabati's version of Ramayana that begins with Mandodari as well)
I have read a few other books from the same genre. 'Asura' was a very well researched counter telling but it was too lengthy. In Mandodari, the author keeps it crisp and the book can be read in two or three sittings. She has put too much depth into the character while writing the dialogues. I changed my perception towards Vibhishana at the end.
The best part is that the author does not out her own opinion or views into characterization and simply allows the reader to make a rendition of his own.
In short, a very well written memoir (if I can say that) with all the events from Ramayana being covered. Must read!
August 9, 2018
Detail Review: https://bodhisattwapalreview.blogspot...
REVIEW: 'Ramayana', One of the two grand epic of India, is in our blood. From child we have been living it. So it's always difficult to retell this epic, but debut with it, was a gallant decision. But the author played a masterstroke by choosing the main protagonist as well as the story teller of this retelling. She chose Mandadori, surely underrated in contrast of the other grand characters of Ramayana. I have read the 'Krittibashi Ramayan', saw many adaptation of the Valmiki Ramayana, but there the views were from the other side. We used to see Rama as the hero and The Ravens as the devil. We hardly know anything from the Ravana's side. And the author chose Ravana's wife to retell this epic. That was almost unique for me. The only thing I have read similar to it was some part of Micheal Madhusudan's 'Meghnad Bod Kavya'.
The best thing about the book is that the author told the story of a queen more as a normal woman than a queen. She used to gossip with her sakhis, love her parents, be jealous when other women sleep with her husband and cry when her children die. The author portrayed Mandodari as a lovely daughter, dutiful wife,a caring mother and then a queen. An extract I found brilliant is:
"why had the Gods been so unfair to me?My daughter was estranged from me. I had left her all those years ago and she had found her way back to me.Even though I could not love her like her mother.Then Meghnath, who is more his father's son then mine. Worst of all the loss of AkshayaKumar, my youngest in a ridiculous battle.Was this to be my fate as a Queen?"
From the start to finish, the author managed to keep the story through Mandodari's eye and never told those happening which we know from Ramayana but Mandodari didn't. That's really inimitable. The royal set creating, the character building was fine. The storytelling style was simple but soulful. The novel is full of a lot of things we don't know. We can see a fully different side of Lankeswar Ravana. The author made the characters and the set lively with her skill. She detailed the plot when needed, and shortened when not, so the book size is really comfortable and you can finish this with one sitting. But I suggest you a little slow read to enjoy this melancholy overtone, because it is one of the most hearty and emotional retelling.
Also the author avoided the dramatic exaggeration of original Ramayana, and made it more realistic.
The biggest difference from the valmiki Ramayana was the link between Seeta and Ravana-Mandodari. I will not tell it because I don't want to spoil the story line. The author took reference from the Gunabhadara's Uttara Purana & Sanghadasa's Jaina Ramayana where there was the link. The author also masterfully matched all the loops at last and made a decent finish.
So full of so much quality, this modern take on of Ramayana is really hearty, soulful, emotional and grand. This retelling can also be described as a feminist milestone by a female debut author where we can see the life of a woman full of hazard and mishaps in the disguise of a mythological character.
A Must Read!
OVARALL RATING: 5/5
Thanks to the author for this beautiful ARC.
REVIEW: 'Ramayana', One of the two grand epic of India, is in our blood. From child we have been living it. So it's always difficult to retell this epic, but debut with it, was a gallant decision. But the author played a masterstroke by choosing the main protagonist as well as the story teller of this retelling. She chose Mandadori, surely underrated in contrast of the other grand characters of Ramayana. I have read the 'Krittibashi Ramayan', saw many adaptation of the Valmiki Ramayana, but there the views were from the other side. We used to see Rama as the hero and The Ravens as the devil. We hardly know anything from the Ravana's side. And the author chose Ravana's wife to retell this epic. That was almost unique for me. The only thing I have read similar to it was some part of Micheal Madhusudan's 'Meghnad Bod Kavya'.
The best thing about the book is that the author told the story of a queen more as a normal woman than a queen. She used to gossip with her sakhis, love her parents, be jealous when other women sleep with her husband and cry when her children die. The author portrayed Mandodari as a lovely daughter, dutiful wife,a caring mother and then a queen. An extract I found brilliant is:
"why had the Gods been so unfair to me?My daughter was estranged from me. I had left her all those years ago and she had found her way back to me.Even though I could not love her like her mother.Then Meghnath, who is more his father's son then mine. Worst of all the loss of AkshayaKumar, my youngest in a ridiculous battle.Was this to be my fate as a Queen?"
From the start to finish, the author managed to keep the story through Mandodari's eye and never told those happening which we know from Ramayana but Mandodari didn't. That's really inimitable. The royal set creating, the character building was fine. The storytelling style was simple but soulful. The novel is full of a lot of things we don't know. We can see a fully different side of Lankeswar Ravana. The author made the characters and the set lively with her skill. She detailed the plot when needed, and shortened when not, so the book size is really comfortable and you can finish this with one sitting. But I suggest you a little slow read to enjoy this melancholy overtone, because it is one of the most hearty and emotional retelling.
Also the author avoided the dramatic exaggeration of original Ramayana, and made it more realistic.
The biggest difference from the valmiki Ramayana was the link between Seeta and Ravana-Mandodari. I will not tell it because I don't want to spoil the story line. The author took reference from the Gunabhadara's Uttara Purana & Sanghadasa's Jaina Ramayana where there was the link. The author also masterfully matched all the loops at last and made a decent finish.
So full of so much quality, this modern take on of Ramayana is really hearty, soulful, emotional and grand. This retelling can also be described as a feminist milestone by a female debut author where we can see the life of a woman full of hazard and mishaps in the disguise of a mythological character.
A Must Read!
OVARALL RATING: 5/5
Thanks to the author for this beautiful ARC.
August 14, 2018
This review and other such book reviews can be read at https://trailsoftales620253622.wordpr...
We women can learn to love someone easily. Unlearning that love.....is where the real problem lies.
Mandodari too,was one such woman whose love for a man tied her life into complicated loops that she couldn't come out of.
The man Mandodari loved was Ravana (or Dashanan, as was his birth name), her husband, who is perhaps the greatest example of 'pride goes before a fall' in Hindu mythology. They are characters of the Ramayana, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Mahabharata.
In Hindu mythology, not even the most minor of characters are ever one dimensional. You can keep peeling their layers into millions of interpretations but it still won't be enough.
Ravana, the King of Lanka (thus also called Lankeshwar meaning Lord of Lanka) was known far and wide as highly intelligent, skilled beyond measure, extremely knowledgeable, master of immense strength and the greatest devotee of Lord Shiva (believed to be the transformer and destroyer of all evils in Hinduism). But with every achievement, he kept growing proud and arrogant, till he reached a point from where he couldn't see anything beyond himself.
Charles Caleb Colton once said "Pride requires very costly food- it's keeper's happiness".
Thus, Mandodari's father felt the need to warn her before her marriage to Ravana-
"With unlimited powers come unlimited disorder. You should be well aware of such consequences before you decide to get married to him."
Mandodari and Ravana fell in love with each other at first sight and got married soon after. And like all innocent young girls, Mandodari entered her marriage with dreams of a perfect love which, initially, she did get from Ravana who kept insisting on his love for her. That must have made the shock of her husband's adultery all the more pronounced.
With his pride, Ravana's lust for power and sex too, kept rising. He took many wives and many more concubines. There were countless nights when Mandodari stayed awake, alone in her chamber, while listening to the vulgar noises coming from the antapura (where her husband housed all of his concubines because, obviously all of his objects of lust had to be cooped in one place. How else would he find them?). What was more saddening was that these noises didn't just make her angry and upset, but also jealous. It reminded Mandodari of the intense longing for her husband's company.
All the while, her husband continuosly told her that she was his only love. Evidently though, love and loyalty were mutually exclusive for Ravana.
Indeed Mandodari was the only one her husband confided in about his deepest insecurities. Ravana respected her opinions to the extent where he, in a moment of weakness, asked her where was he going wrong. Mandodari unflinchingly replied
"Arrogance is now one of your characteristics, Lankeshwar, and it makes you who you are"
Mandodari was a strong woman who never backed out from expressing her opinions, even if it meant going against her husband. She tried, countless times, to guide her husband on the right path but failed again and again. She didn't give up, till the end.
Mandodari was always faithful to her role as the Queen of Lanka, but more often than not, being a queen does not allow you to be a wife and mother. She had to see her husband and children destroyed with her own eyes. Their undoing was the abduction of Sita, the wife of Ayodhya's eldest prince Ram by Ravana to avenge his sister.
This resulted in a war between Ram and Ravana that changed everything. Lanka was thrown into a position it was not used to. They had always attacked, never defended. Mandodari could sense the impending doom every single moment, but try as she might, could not do anything about it. There were unimaginable casualties. In her own words-
"War had made us all suffer, the living and the unborn."
"Death was inevitable in war, as was deceit."
Mandodari gives us a unique perspective on Ravana. She is not blind to his arrogance but also sees his raw emotions unfold-his love for his children and his subjects. As Ravana, after losing all his children, gets ready to enter the war, Mandodari observes-
"....a broken- hearted father and a shaken King prepared to fight."
When Ravana's sister, for whose honour the war was started, confesses her true intentions to her brother, he tells her-
"A war costs lives; it claims the throne, causes destruction and leaves a kingdom deprived of food, wealth and sometime s even the right ruler."
Manini J. Anandani introduces us to those rare tender moments between Ravana and Mandodari that have been seldom talked about. For instance, just after Mandodari gave birth to their first son, Ravana instead of looking at his much awaited son, the heir to his throne, went straight to check on Mandodari and sincerely thanked her for making him a father.
So what happened to the woman left behind in the war ravaged land?
In this war, that has been heralded by generations as the harbringer of a new change, did the people of Lanka really want a change?
If these questions make you even a least bit curious, then pick up this book and in its pages, travel through an epic retold, in the words of a woman who reigned from her shadows: Mandodari- The Queen of Lanka.
We women can learn to love someone easily. Unlearning that love.....is where the real problem lies.
Mandodari too,was one such woman whose love for a man tied her life into complicated loops that she couldn't come out of.
The man Mandodari loved was Ravana (or Dashanan, as was his birth name), her husband, who is perhaps the greatest example of 'pride goes before a fall' in Hindu mythology. They are characters of the Ramayana, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Mahabharata.
In Hindu mythology, not even the most minor of characters are ever one dimensional. You can keep peeling their layers into millions of interpretations but it still won't be enough.
Ravana, the King of Lanka (thus also called Lankeshwar meaning Lord of Lanka) was known far and wide as highly intelligent, skilled beyond measure, extremely knowledgeable, master of immense strength and the greatest devotee of Lord Shiva (believed to be the transformer and destroyer of all evils in Hinduism). But with every achievement, he kept growing proud and arrogant, till he reached a point from where he couldn't see anything beyond himself.
Charles Caleb Colton once said "Pride requires very costly food- it's keeper's happiness".
Thus, Mandodari's father felt the need to warn her before her marriage to Ravana-
"With unlimited powers come unlimited disorder. You should be well aware of such consequences before you decide to get married to him."
Mandodari and Ravana fell in love with each other at first sight and got married soon after. And like all innocent young girls, Mandodari entered her marriage with dreams of a perfect love which, initially, she did get from Ravana who kept insisting on his love for her. That must have made the shock of her husband's adultery all the more pronounced.
With his pride, Ravana's lust for power and sex too, kept rising. He took many wives and many more concubines. There were countless nights when Mandodari stayed awake, alone in her chamber, while listening to the vulgar noises coming from the antapura (where her husband housed all of his concubines because, obviously all of his objects of lust had to be cooped in one place. How else would he find them?). What was more saddening was that these noises didn't just make her angry and upset, but also jealous. It reminded Mandodari of the intense longing for her husband's company.
All the while, her husband continuosly told her that she was his only love. Evidently though, love and loyalty were mutually exclusive for Ravana.
Indeed Mandodari was the only one her husband confided in about his deepest insecurities. Ravana respected her opinions to the extent where he, in a moment of weakness, asked her where was he going wrong. Mandodari unflinchingly replied
"Arrogance is now one of your characteristics, Lankeshwar, and it makes you who you are"
Mandodari was a strong woman who never backed out from expressing her opinions, even if it meant going against her husband. She tried, countless times, to guide her husband on the right path but failed again and again. She didn't give up, till the end.
Mandodari was always faithful to her role as the Queen of Lanka, but more often than not, being a queen does not allow you to be a wife and mother. She had to see her husband and children destroyed with her own eyes. Their undoing was the abduction of Sita, the wife of Ayodhya's eldest prince Ram by Ravana to avenge his sister.
This resulted in a war between Ram and Ravana that changed everything. Lanka was thrown into a position it was not used to. They had always attacked, never defended. Mandodari could sense the impending doom every single moment, but try as she might, could not do anything about it. There were unimaginable casualties. In her own words-
"War had made us all suffer, the living and the unborn."
"Death was inevitable in war, as was deceit."
Mandodari gives us a unique perspective on Ravana. She is not blind to his arrogance but also sees his raw emotions unfold-his love for his children and his subjects. As Ravana, after losing all his children, gets ready to enter the war, Mandodari observes-
"....a broken- hearted father and a shaken King prepared to fight."
When Ravana's sister, for whose honour the war was started, confesses her true intentions to her brother, he tells her-
"A war costs lives; it claims the throne, causes destruction and leaves a kingdom deprived of food, wealth and sometime s even the right ruler."
Manini J. Anandani introduces us to those rare tender moments between Ravana and Mandodari that have been seldom talked about. For instance, just after Mandodari gave birth to their first son, Ravana instead of looking at his much awaited son, the heir to his throne, went straight to check on Mandodari and sincerely thanked her for making him a father.
So what happened to the woman left behind in the war ravaged land?
In this war, that has been heralded by generations as the harbringer of a new change, did the people of Lanka really want a change?
If these questions make you even a least bit curious, then pick up this book and in its pages, travel through an epic retold, in the words of a woman who reigned from her shadows: Mandodari- The Queen of Lanka.
April 22, 2023
Mandodari:Queen of Lanka by Manini J. Anandani is a mythological fiction where Mandodari narrates how her life completely changed after getting married to Ravana. The book is based mostly on Sanghadasa’s Jaina version of the Ramayana (where Sita is considered to be Mandodari’s first born and eventually Ravana’s daughter).
It’s a straightforward narrative. The book describes her journey as the queen of Lanka and her struggles she faced as a wife. When she was married off to Ravana, she imagined her life to be that of a usual one. Initially, things seem to working as expected, but then Ravana exposes his true self and her magical world starts to crumble down upon her.
As a dedicated wife, she tries to understand her husband and makes peace with all the debauchery and wrongdoings which Ravana commits along. She fights with her insecurities when it comes to sharing her love. Despite all this, Mandodari loved her husband very much and always advised him to follow the path of righteousness. But eventually she saw his overly ambitious husband’s certain downfall.
This book describes well the story of a woman whose love for a man tied her life into a complicated spiral of doom she couldn’t come back from.
It’s a straightforward narrative. The book describes her journey as the queen of Lanka and her struggles she faced as a wife. When she was married off to Ravana, she imagined her life to be that of a usual one. Initially, things seem to working as expected, but then Ravana exposes his true self and her magical world starts to crumble down upon her.
As a dedicated wife, she tries to understand her husband and makes peace with all the debauchery and wrongdoings which Ravana commits along. She fights with her insecurities when it comes to sharing her love. Despite all this, Mandodari loved her husband very much and always advised him to follow the path of righteousness. But eventually she saw his overly ambitious husband’s certain downfall.
This book describes well the story of a woman whose love for a man tied her life into a complicated spiral of doom she couldn’t come back from.
October 20, 2018
The Ramayana had been explored from various viewpoint, told by many great sages and civilizations all bringing in their own flavour to the tale of Rama and Ravana. The Ramayana as seen by Mandodari is refreshing and adds new colours to how a world would function if the men allowed the women to influence their decisions. A fascinating read especially for those who dote on Indian mythology and want to understand how a helpless wife stands by her husband while never wavering from her idea of righteousness.
May 13, 2020
This is one of the most interesting books that I have read. Mandodari's point of view..a lovely princess ,married off to Ravana. She remained devoted to him and also was his good counsel. It is beautifully written from her perspective. A must-read for lovers of mythological fiction. The author has done a brilliant job for this debut book. Certainly waiting for her next book!!!
August 26, 2018
Mandodari Queen of Lanka By Manini J.Anandani
Ramayana The Epic Our Holy Book And Story for Defining Good And Bad ,Everyone Knows The Story As We All Are from Days of Our Childhood Grow And Listen The Epic From Our Seniors And Read Themselves To Define What Is Good And What Id Bad.
There is Lots of Characters In Ramayana The Good one was From Lord Ram Side And Bad one was From King of Lanka The Ravana Side but there is only few characters Or I Can Say Only Two From Ravana Side Who was Great One,Queen of Lanka Mandodari And other one Is Vibhishan The Brother of Lanka King.
Now Come Back To This Book After Reading First Few pages I realize That There is lot of Information About Queen of lanka Mandodari Which I Earlier Didn’t Know About And Please To Read Those All Information Through This Book. If I Say This Is a Book Which Dedicate To Power Of Women Or Greatness of Women I Am Sure I Am Not Wrong In That Way.
Book Describes The Struggle And Challenges Faced By Mandodari In Their Life And How She Faced And Correct The Situations coming In Their Way With Great Efforts And With Patience. She Was Women Who Knows Her Husband Was Not Doing Things In Correct Way But She was Able To Justify And Coordinate with him In Every Aspect of Life Or Say Marital Life. Book Has More Then 20 Chapters All Are Intersting To Read And Book Binds You Until You Finish Your Reading. Because Author Present This Book After Their Wide Research And Knowledge on This Character.
Mandodari Was Such A Perfect Women And may Also A Motivation For other Women’s Also. So This Is A Book Cover Each And Every aspect of This Women From Start To End And Interesting To Read.
Author Is From Mythology Background So This is one of Main Reason, She wrote This Book In Most Effective Way In Detailed Manner of a Character Which is Queen of Lanka Mandodari. I Recommend Other Readers To Read This Book As A Mythology Fiction.
Ramayana The Epic Our Holy Book And Story for Defining Good And Bad ,Everyone Knows The Story As We All Are from Days of Our Childhood Grow And Listen The Epic From Our Seniors And Read Themselves To Define What Is Good And What Id Bad.
There is Lots of Characters In Ramayana The Good one was From Lord Ram Side And Bad one was From King of Lanka The Ravana Side but there is only few characters Or I Can Say Only Two From Ravana Side Who was Great One,Queen of Lanka Mandodari And other one Is Vibhishan The Brother of Lanka King.
Now Come Back To This Book After Reading First Few pages I realize That There is lot of Information About Queen of lanka Mandodari Which I Earlier Didn’t Know About And Please To Read Those All Information Through This Book. If I Say This Is a Book Which Dedicate To Power Of Women Or Greatness of Women I Am Sure I Am Not Wrong In That Way.
Book Describes The Struggle And Challenges Faced By Mandodari In Their Life And How She Faced And Correct The Situations coming In Their Way With Great Efforts And With Patience. She Was Women Who Knows Her Husband Was Not Doing Things In Correct Way But She was Able To Justify And Coordinate with him In Every Aspect of Life Or Say Marital Life. Book Has More Then 20 Chapters All Are Intersting To Read And Book Binds You Until You Finish Your Reading. Because Author Present This Book After Their Wide Research And Knowledge on This Character.
Mandodari Was Such A Perfect Women And may Also A Motivation For other Women’s Also. So This Is A Book Cover Each And Every aspect of This Women From Start To End And Interesting To Read.
Author Is From Mythology Background So This is one of Main Reason, She wrote This Book In Most Effective Way In Detailed Manner of a Character Which is Queen of Lanka Mandodari. I Recommend Other Readers To Read This Book As A Mythology Fiction.
August 15, 2018
Ramayana and Mahabharata are two integral parts of our nation. They are so integral that most of us while growing up heard these epics from many people including grandparent, parents, uncles, and aunts several times. These epics are so vast that their stories contained stories which further contained many stories and it extended to few more levels like this. The 24,000 stanzas in Ramayana and the 1,25,000 stanzas in Mahabharata attest to this fact. They also have helped with many retellings of these great epics in several different forms - with many different varieties of narration and different messages in each of those. Manini has chosen one of the lesser known, yet one of the fittest characters in the Mahabharata.
The highlight of the book itself is how your view of the world completely changes, if you look the world not from your own perspective, nor from the perspective of those that are popularly known, but from the perspective of a person who we all know is part of the story, but have not heard about her. If you want one reason to buy and read this book, this is the one. Except very few among us, we know of Ravana only as a villain, and most probably that is related to how we start knowing Ravana in Ramayana – the kidnapping of Sita. But, the author has spent decent amount of pages in explaining the good qualities of Ravana as seen by Mandodari. You might ask why would a wife see her husband and describe him badly, but wait, in the later pages, Mandodari also comes to know of Ravana’s bad qualities. And, one can personally feel the pain and torment that Mandodari faces and feels when she sees her husband having relationships with other women in the name of political advancement. She uses every chance to advise him to get rid of those, though Ravana feels remorseful when he hears her, but never changes.
Manini, through the voice of Mandodari neatly explains how Ravana tries to control almost everything including his progeny by placing the planets in the position that he wants, which Mandodari opposes vehemently, but feel helpless when he attempts to change her husband’s mind turns futile. The most important and interesting part of this book, in my opinion is the connection to Sita which we seldom have heard or read. This is something that I will reserve for the readers to let them enjoy.
The beauty of the book lies in how the author depicts the places and the people. Ramayana in itself, especially the Sundara Kanda is famous for the depiction of Lanka, but nevertheless Manini has done it equally well. This is something, that you will need to read at a relaxed pace to enjoy the minute decorations that come along in every chapter and in every episode as viewed by Mandorari. Aditya Iyengar has taken Mahabharata and is coming out with different versions in his books (I have read only the first part – the Thirteenth Day which revolves around Karna), and I sincerely hope Manini will do so with Ramayana. I strongly recommend everyone to read “Mandodari – Queen of Lanka”.
The highlight of the book itself is how your view of the world completely changes, if you look the world not from your own perspective, nor from the perspective of those that are popularly known, but from the perspective of a person who we all know is part of the story, but have not heard about her. If you want one reason to buy and read this book, this is the one. Except very few among us, we know of Ravana only as a villain, and most probably that is related to how we start knowing Ravana in Ramayana – the kidnapping of Sita. But, the author has spent decent amount of pages in explaining the good qualities of Ravana as seen by Mandodari. You might ask why would a wife see her husband and describe him badly, but wait, in the later pages, Mandodari also comes to know of Ravana’s bad qualities. And, one can personally feel the pain and torment that Mandodari faces and feels when she sees her husband having relationships with other women in the name of political advancement. She uses every chance to advise him to get rid of those, though Ravana feels remorseful when he hears her, but never changes.
Manini, through the voice of Mandodari neatly explains how Ravana tries to control almost everything including his progeny by placing the planets in the position that he wants, which Mandodari opposes vehemently, but feel helpless when he attempts to change her husband’s mind turns futile. The most important and interesting part of this book, in my opinion is the connection to Sita which we seldom have heard or read. This is something that I will reserve for the readers to let them enjoy.
The beauty of the book lies in how the author depicts the places and the people. Ramayana in itself, especially the Sundara Kanda is famous for the depiction of Lanka, but nevertheless Manini has done it equally well. This is something, that you will need to read at a relaxed pace to enjoy the minute decorations that come along in every chapter and in every episode as viewed by Mandorari. Aditya Iyengar has taken Mahabharata and is coming out with different versions in his books (I have read only the first part – the Thirteenth Day which revolves around Karna), and I sincerely hope Manini will do so with Ramayana. I strongly recommend everyone to read “Mandodari – Queen of Lanka”.
June 11, 2025
3.5⭐️
The first version of the epic, Ramayana, that I read was by Kamala Subramaniam. Since then, there have been various versions of it that I have read, but from the viewpoint of the women in the epic instead. Sita, Urmila, Kaikeyi and Surpanakha versions to name a few.
Here we have Mandodari's story. Ravana's Queen who stood by her villainous husband through thick and thin. The wise queen who tried to alleviate Sita's distress after she was kidnapped. I didn't know much about Mandodari's story as she is mentioned briefly only a few times in the Ramayana. So this attempt at unveiling her tale was very fascinating. The beautiful and talented asura princess who falls in love with Ravana the first time she sees him. She marries him and they live happily.... until they don't. The book describes her journey first as a young princess in love and then as the Queen of Lanka. It catalogues the struggles she faced as Ravana's wife and how she always loved him and did her best to make him walk the path of goodness and virtue.
Ms Manini has given us a view of Ravana in Mandodari's eyes and he is revealed as a many faceted person. Brave warrior. Brilliant scholar. Shiva devotee. Majestic king. Mandodari is his steadfast and loyal queen throughout the many hardships and humiliations she suffers as his character changes and he becomes more greedy and power mad. All of which, eventually, led to his defeat.
There were a couple of twists that were added to this story of which I was unaware of before. They were intriguing and added a meaningful, different layer to the Ramayana for me.
A definite must-read for those who enjoy Indian mythology.
The first version of the epic, Ramayana, that I read was by Kamala Subramaniam. Since then, there have been various versions of it that I have read, but from the viewpoint of the women in the epic instead. Sita, Urmila, Kaikeyi and Surpanakha versions to name a few.
Here we have Mandodari's story. Ravana's Queen who stood by her villainous husband through thick and thin. The wise queen who tried to alleviate Sita's distress after she was kidnapped. I didn't know much about Mandodari's story as she is mentioned briefly only a few times in the Ramayana. So this attempt at unveiling her tale was very fascinating. The beautiful and talented asura princess who falls in love with Ravana the first time she sees him. She marries him and they live happily.... until they don't. The book describes her journey first as a young princess in love and then as the Queen of Lanka. It catalogues the struggles she faced as Ravana's wife and how she always loved him and did her best to make him walk the path of goodness and virtue.
Ms Manini has given us a view of Ravana in Mandodari's eyes and he is revealed as a many faceted person. Brave warrior. Brilliant scholar. Shiva devotee. Majestic king. Mandodari is his steadfast and loyal queen throughout the many hardships and humiliations she suffers as his character changes and he becomes more greedy and power mad. All of which, eventually, led to his defeat.
There were a couple of twists that were added to this story of which I was unaware of before. They were intriguing and added a meaningful, different layer to the Ramayana for me.
A definite must-read for those who enjoy Indian mythology.
October 31, 2021
Ravana. The perfect mythological villain who was also brave, courageous and extremely knowledgeable. But all these virtues held no value for his arrogance and disrespect for women.
I had always wondered how his wife, Mandodari reacted to his wayward actions and the kidnapping of Sita. This book was indeed a much awaited read, based on Sanghadasa's Jaina version of the Ramayana where Sita is considered to be Ravana's daughter. This fictional telling of the Ramayana from the eyes of Mandodari gives us an idea of the happenings inside Ravana's palace, the kind of husband and the kind of father he was.
The book is a pleasant read though I wish the author had delved a little more deeply into the emotions of Mandodari when Ravana kidnapped Sita and brought her to Lanka. But, the manner in which Mandodari was portrayed in this book just makes me respect her more as a woman who was strong, opinionated and supremely fierce. Thank you @authormanini for this wonderful piece of work! Book 27 of 2021 was the most awaited read for me :)
#book27of2021 #booksof2021 #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammersofindia #mandodari #mandodariqueenoflanka #maninijanandani #readersofinstagram #mythologicalreads
I had always wondered how his wife, Mandodari reacted to his wayward actions and the kidnapping of Sita. This book was indeed a much awaited read, based on Sanghadasa's Jaina version of the Ramayana where Sita is considered to be Ravana's daughter. This fictional telling of the Ramayana from the eyes of Mandodari gives us an idea of the happenings inside Ravana's palace, the kind of husband and the kind of father he was.
The book is a pleasant read though I wish the author had delved a little more deeply into the emotions of Mandodari when Ravana kidnapped Sita and brought her to Lanka. But, the manner in which Mandodari was portrayed in this book just makes me respect her more as a woman who was strong, opinionated and supremely fierce. Thank you @authormanini for this wonderful piece of work! Book 27 of 2021 was the most awaited read for me :)
#book27of2021 #booksof2021 #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammersofindia #mandodari #mandodariqueenoflanka #maninijanandani #readersofinstagram #mythologicalreads
September 1, 2018
A perfect blend of fiction and mythology. The story let's you perceive the characters in different shades. For instance, at first smaller character like Kaikesi seems selfish and unrelenting but later in a dialogue with Mandodari we learn about her struggle. Even Vibhishana is the most misunderstood character but in the end when he presents his insight about the war, our perception changes... beautifully written... Mandodari is worth a read.
February 19, 2019
An excellent re-telling of the epic from the loosing side.. on par with writers I admire a lot in the genre.. Chitra B Divakaruni for one.. excellent work.. looking forward to more from the author !
March 13, 2024
Enjoyed the perspective from Lankini, thoroughly!
March 4, 2022
A different angle, a different lense...
July 31, 2023
Just finished the book Mandodari Queen of Lanka
By Manani J Anandani- The book is about sacrifice made by Mandodari for her husband Ravana or Lankesh.
As as the author, she has a strong subject matter as well as great flow of events. Definitely worth reading her books.
By Manani J Anandani- The book is about sacrifice made by Mandodari for her husband Ravana or Lankesh.
As as the author, she has a strong subject matter as well as great flow of events. Definitely worth reading her books.
June 30, 2019
It's a retelling of Ramayana, that's what it is. A bland narrative in Mandodari's voice, yes. But what it lacks is depth. We hear Mandodari, but we don't really get to know her. It seems like a shoddy attempt at portraying the story from an important but unheard character's 'perspective'. Though marketed as a 'fictional retelling of the Ramayana, through Ravana's wife, Mandodari', the book reeks of lack of imagination on the author's part. It's as if the author has taken the story, and just made the parts fit. A desperate attempt, and a resounding disappointment - that's what I read the book as.
February 1, 2024
The author's decision to vilify Lord Rama in "Mandodari: The Queen of Lanka" was not only disappointing but also a blatant departure from the original mythology. It felt like a forced attempt to create controversy rather than staying true to the cultural narrative. The unnecessary creative liberties undermined the essence of the characters and left a sour taste in my reading experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2021
A plain retelling of Ramayana from Queen Mandodari's perspective, this book sure lets you feel the queen's excitement and disappointment along with her but rarely does anything more than that.
With so many interesting characters and this book being a fiction I feel like a lot more could be done.
With so many interesting characters and this book being a fiction I feel like a lot more could be done.
April 13, 2023
This was really interesting. I enjoyed reading it, i hate reading such books but this one was written as a fast pace and was actually great storyline
October 9, 2020
Mandodari
Book : Mandodari Queen of Lanka
Author: Manini Anandini
Publisher: Penguin Publishers
Pages : 274
Genre : Mythology
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.
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🌹🌺Ahalya Draupadi Sita Tara Mandodari tatha | 🌹🌺
🌹🌺Panchkanya smarennitya mahapataka nasini || 🌹🌺
The Panchkanya shloka is a well known Sanskrit hymn about the five iconic heroines of Hindu epics. All five women were married and thought their lives were full of misery, they tackled the most difficult situations with courage.
.
.
.
Mandodari, a Panchkanya, daughter of Mayasura and wife of Raavana has always fascinated me. This fascination was mainly because I had not read much about her. I always wanted to her know her story from her own words. That’s why I was thrilled when a copy of “Mandodari: Queen of Lanka” landed at my home!
.
.
.
Author Manini has written this book based on Sanghadasa’s Jaina version through the eyes of beloved Mandodari. Mandodari, daughter of Mayasura falls in love with Raavana’s mangnetic personality and aura at first sight. Further, they get married and then begins Mandodari’s journey as wife of Raavan and most importantly as the Queen of Lanka. Raavana’s lusty behaviour and “increasing alliances” under the name of expansion of empire torment the young and naive Mandodari. She tries to be friends with his other wives Dhanyamalini and Nayanandini and also maintains cordial relations with other women of the Lanka royal household.
.
.
.
She yearns for a child who she can call her own and raise him to be a good human being. Raavana using all permutations and combinations with help of Navagrahas plans for the birth of a baby boy. Thus, Mandodari gives birth to her son ‘Meghnad’. As years pass, she realises that Meghnad is more of his father’s son rather than a mumma’s boy.
.
.
.
Mandodari’s blissful life comes to a standstill when trouble brews up in the form of Shurpanakha. She narrates the terrific incident of her nose cut down by two princes of Ayodhya, Ram and Lakshmana. Raavan decides to take revenge in his own way and lands up with Sita in the Pushpak Vimana. Mandodari doesn’t chance upon many encounters with Sita. She ensures Sita is taken care of in Lanka. Mandodari fears the great war but has confidence in the prowess of her husband. The unevitable takes place and Raavan lies dead on the battlefield thus leaving Mandodari with responsibilities of Lanka.
A torn apart Mandodari agrees to marry Vibhishana as a political move to stabilise the upheaval in Lanka and reassure citizens of their king.
.
.
.
P.S:- This book is not to be missed as it reveals some secrets of Sita’s birth. Go grab a copy soon to know Mandodari’s story...
#qotd Which Panchkanya intrigues you the most?
Book : Mandodari Queen of Lanka
Author: Manini Anandini
Publisher: Penguin Publishers
Pages : 274
Genre : Mythology
.
.
.
🌹🌺Ahalya Draupadi Sita Tara Mandodari tatha | 🌹🌺
🌹🌺Panchkanya smarennitya mahapataka nasini || 🌹🌺
The Panchkanya shloka is a well known Sanskrit hymn about the five iconic heroines of Hindu epics. All five women were married and thought their lives were full of misery, they tackled the most difficult situations with courage.
.
.
.
Mandodari, a Panchkanya, daughter of Mayasura and wife of Raavana has always fascinated me. This fascination was mainly because I had not read much about her. I always wanted to her know her story from her own words. That’s why I was thrilled when a copy of “Mandodari: Queen of Lanka” landed at my home!
.
.
.
Author Manini has written this book based on Sanghadasa’s Jaina version through the eyes of beloved Mandodari. Mandodari, daughter of Mayasura falls in love with Raavana’s mangnetic personality and aura at first sight. Further, they get married and then begins Mandodari’s journey as wife of Raavan and most importantly as the Queen of Lanka. Raavana’s lusty behaviour and “increasing alliances” under the name of expansion of empire torment the young and naive Mandodari. She tries to be friends with his other wives Dhanyamalini and Nayanandini and also maintains cordial relations with other women of the Lanka royal household.
.
.
.
She yearns for a child who she can call her own and raise him to be a good human being. Raavana using all permutations and combinations with help of Navagrahas plans for the birth of a baby boy. Thus, Mandodari gives birth to her son ‘Meghnad’. As years pass, she realises that Meghnad is more of his father’s son rather than a mumma’s boy.
.
.
.
Mandodari’s blissful life comes to a standstill when trouble brews up in the form of Shurpanakha. She narrates the terrific incident of her nose cut down by two princes of Ayodhya, Ram and Lakshmana. Raavan decides to take revenge in his own way and lands up with Sita in the Pushpak Vimana. Mandodari doesn’t chance upon many encounters with Sita. She ensures Sita is taken care of in Lanka. Mandodari fears the great war but has confidence in the prowess of her husband. The unevitable takes place and Raavan lies dead on the battlefield thus leaving Mandodari with responsibilities of Lanka.
A torn apart Mandodari agrees to marry Vibhishana as a political move to stabilise the upheaval in Lanka and reassure citizens of their king.
.
.
.
P.S:- This book is not to be missed as it reveals some secrets of Sita’s birth. Go grab a copy soon to know Mandodari’s story...
#qotd Which Panchkanya intrigues you the most?
August 17, 2018
I agree that Mandodari is an important though a lesser known character of Indian mythology and has a story that needs to be told . Unfortunately Mandodari: Queen of Lanka is not the book that does a competent job of bringing her story to the fore . There are many reasons for this .
The biggest drawback is a Wikipedia style narrative - a reporting of the facts and events rather than an exploration of these( The tone is set right in the Prologue , where lines have been taken from Wikipedia with a few words replaced ) . Unfortunately the same dry , stark narrative runs through out the book . Hence we get all the facts of the protagonist's life , a description of her surroundings and her interactions and relationship with others but sadly these remain just a dry narration rather than coming alive for the reader . Lanka remains a place described in details but does not become a real place . Similarly the Characters say all the things they have to but the author is unable to bring out the depth of their emotions . And when two such weak characters have a showdown , it is unfortunately a letdown and does not have the intended impact . I would have called it anticlimactic but don't because the showdown has not been built up to well in the first place .And this when the characters are from a venerated Epic - The Ramayana . This stark narration sadly makes the story a cumbersome and plodding read .
The book leaves much to be desired in the language and style . There are grammatical and sentence construction errors . The narrative is rather simplistic with short simple sentences. Maybe longer , complex sentences could have helped to weave the narrative better and give a more cohesive and complex structure . This prevents the book from rising above a certain level .
Lastly the book is not a must read in the sense that one needs to finish it due to curiosity of what follows or the strength of the material . As a another reviewer mentioned It is not a page turner but a rather slow read that you may want to finish just because you started it . It is rather dull and hard to get through at certain points .
And all this stems form the rather stark Wikipedia style that the author has chosen to Present her story rather that Live it and thus bring it to life for others .
The author Manini is brave to choose this different perspective and retelling of a classic but a story is more that just a laying down of the events that happened. Much More !! And this is where the book is a letdown.
The biggest drawback is a Wikipedia style narrative - a reporting of the facts and events rather than an exploration of these( The tone is set right in the Prologue , where lines have been taken from Wikipedia with a few words replaced ) . Unfortunately the same dry , stark narrative runs through out the book . Hence we get all the facts of the protagonist's life , a description of her surroundings and her interactions and relationship with others but sadly these remain just a dry narration rather than coming alive for the reader . Lanka remains a place described in details but does not become a real place . Similarly the Characters say all the things they have to but the author is unable to bring out the depth of their emotions . And when two such weak characters have a showdown , it is unfortunately a letdown and does not have the intended impact . I would have called it anticlimactic but don't because the showdown has not been built up to well in the first place .And this when the characters are from a venerated Epic - The Ramayana . This stark narration sadly makes the story a cumbersome and plodding read .
The book leaves much to be desired in the language and style . There are grammatical and sentence construction errors . The narrative is rather simplistic with short simple sentences. Maybe longer , complex sentences could have helped to weave the narrative better and give a more cohesive and complex structure . This prevents the book from rising above a certain level .
Lastly the book is not a must read in the sense that one needs to finish it due to curiosity of what follows or the strength of the material . As a another reviewer mentioned It is not a page turner but a rather slow read that you may want to finish just because you started it . It is rather dull and hard to get through at certain points .
And all this stems form the rather stark Wikipedia style that the author has chosen to Present her story rather that Live it and thus bring it to life for others .
The author Manini is brave to choose this different perspective and retelling of a classic but a story is more that just a laying down of the events that happened. Much More !! And this is where the book is a letdown.
August 16, 2018
Personally, I was a aware of Sanghadasa's Jaina version of the Ramayana but a full-fledged reading is still awaited. Manini J Anandani's version of Mandodari might come across as shocking for some and interesting for many. A closer look at the voices of the vanquished is surely something that I enjoyed about the book.
It is observed that quite a bunch of popular stories are often narrated by the victors. As that happens, somewhere the voice of the defeated is lost in the thrill. We've seen writers try and change that through their stories from the other side i.e. a different perspective towards what we've always heard and passed on. In the case of mythology, we have seen books like 'Asura: Tale of the Vanquished: The Story of Ravana and His People' by Anand Neelakantan and 'Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of Ramayana' by Devdutt Pattanaik that have tried to make that possible.
Today we are going to look at a fresh new tale that throws light on the role of Mandodari from Ramayana, in this new book titled 'Mandodari (Queen of Lanka)' written by Manini J. Anandani.
In this book, the writer attempts to untangle on one of the least talked about characters from the Hindu epic - Mandodari. Mandodari gets her chance to tell us her side of the story and take us through the events that led to the great war take took place between Ravana and Rama. As a first person narrative from her side, the story might get slow in some areas, but it comes at the cost of knowing much more about the happenings of Lanka from what has been earlier written about. Also, a female voice is often lost or rather focused on the character of Sita in most narrations of the Ramayana. The author has borrowed from the Jaina version of Ramayana written by Sanghadasa, and attempts to show us the highs and lows of Ravana's life from his wife's perspective. The story also significantly reflects the complicated relation that Mandodari was part of with Ravana, the King of Lanka.
A revelation towards the end of the story connects the pieces together, that Mandodari in her first person account tries to give us hints about. The back and forth of Ravana's headstrong attitude and hotheaded decision-making leaves the reader confused, until one can connect the dots as the big picture is slowly revealed.
It is observed that quite a bunch of popular stories are often narrated by the victors. As that happens, somewhere the voice of the defeated is lost in the thrill. We've seen writers try and change that through their stories from the other side i.e. a different perspective towards what we've always heard and passed on. In the case of mythology, we have seen books like 'Asura: Tale of the Vanquished: The Story of Ravana and His People' by Anand Neelakantan and 'Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of Ramayana' by Devdutt Pattanaik that have tried to make that possible.
Today we are going to look at a fresh new tale that throws light on the role of Mandodari from Ramayana, in this new book titled 'Mandodari (Queen of Lanka)' written by Manini J. Anandani.
In this book, the writer attempts to untangle on one of the least talked about characters from the Hindu epic - Mandodari. Mandodari gets her chance to tell us her side of the story and take us through the events that led to the great war take took place between Ravana and Rama. As a first person narrative from her side, the story might get slow in some areas, but it comes at the cost of knowing much more about the happenings of Lanka from what has been earlier written about. Also, a female voice is often lost or rather focused on the character of Sita in most narrations of the Ramayana. The author has borrowed from the Jaina version of Ramayana written by Sanghadasa, and attempts to show us the highs and lows of Ravana's life from his wife's perspective. The story also significantly reflects the complicated relation that Mandodari was part of with Ravana, the King of Lanka.
A revelation towards the end of the story connects the pieces together, that Mandodari in her first person account tries to give us hints about. The back and forth of Ravana's headstrong attitude and hotheaded decision-making leaves the reader confused, until one can connect the dots as the big picture is slowly revealed.
August 12, 2018
Full review can be read here - Book Review: Mandodari - Queen of Lanka
Our childhood, at least those who were born in my generation, was spent listening to the stories of mythological heroes, the valour of Arjuna or Bheema, the deceit of Duryodhana, the loyalty of Karna, the morality of Yudhisthir or Rama, the bhakti of Hanuman. What we are not told about are the stories of the women in these mythological epics. Mandodari – Queen of Lanka is one such story. Manini J Anandani has tried to give a glimpse into what must have been the life of Ravana’s first wife. I found the book interesting, but felt that more could have been written about a person, who might have been one of the most important characters in the Ramayana on the losing side.
Ahalya Draupadi Kunti Tara Mandodari tatha
pancha kanya smarenityam mahapataka nasanam
One who recites daily the holy names of pancha kanya – Ahalya, Draupadi, Kunti, Tara & Mandodari – will destroy the greatest sins
Mandodari’s story is then a reminder of how people are stereotyped and universally denigrated as a race due to the few people who are tainted, but among those there will be a few, who cannot be clouded, due to their individual brilliance. Mandodari, the queen of lanka is one such brilliant and morally strong lady who defies the myth that all the danavas and rakshasas were immoral. She is simple, unswerving, and self-effacing, driven by the light of knowledge which gives meaning to solid materialism in an age that is shrouded by impulse, passion, and desire.
The novel is not exactly a page turner and may not interest many due to the bland monotone of a one person narrative, but there are a few twists that are not part of the original story by Valmiki in his Ramayana. Do note that this book is a fictional retelling and is from the viewpoint of a person in the losing camp.
Our childhood, at least those who were born in my generation, was spent listening to the stories of mythological heroes, the valour of Arjuna or Bheema, the deceit of Duryodhana, the loyalty of Karna, the morality of Yudhisthir or Rama, the bhakti of Hanuman. What we are not told about are the stories of the women in these mythological epics. Mandodari – Queen of Lanka is one such story. Manini J Anandani has tried to give a glimpse into what must have been the life of Ravana’s first wife. I found the book interesting, but felt that more could have been written about a person, who might have been one of the most important characters in the Ramayana on the losing side.
Ahalya Draupadi Kunti Tara Mandodari tatha
pancha kanya smarenityam mahapataka nasanam
One who recites daily the holy names of pancha kanya – Ahalya, Draupadi, Kunti, Tara & Mandodari – will destroy the greatest sins
Mandodari’s story is then a reminder of how people are stereotyped and universally denigrated as a race due to the few people who are tainted, but among those there will be a few, who cannot be clouded, due to their individual brilliance. Mandodari, the queen of lanka is one such brilliant and morally strong lady who defies the myth that all the danavas and rakshasas were immoral. She is simple, unswerving, and self-effacing, driven by the light of knowledge which gives meaning to solid materialism in an age that is shrouded by impulse, passion, and desire.
The novel is not exactly a page turner and may not interest many due to the bland monotone of a one person narrative, but there are a few twists that are not part of the original story by Valmiki in his Ramayana. Do note that this book is a fictional retelling and is from the viewpoint of a person in the losing camp.
August 15, 2018
We have been hearing/reading indian mythological stories from our elders, be it about the morality of Yudhisthir or Rama, the bhakti of Hanuman, the bravery of Arjuna or Bheema, the treachery of Duryodhana, the loyalty of Karna, or about the strategies of Krishna, but every story has remained incomplete without women. If you have read indian mythology, you would know that even the seemigly most insignificant character has had it’s own significance. You can keep peeling off the layers of millions of interpretations but it still won’t be enough.
Mandodari was such a significant character of Ramayana, but sadly, we hardly know her story. We have never learnt about her story as a lovely daughter, dutiful wife, a caring mother and then as a queen.
While Anand Neelakantan’s Asura, was Ramayana told by Ravana, a noble king who cares most for his people despite his shortcomings, This Book is written from the view point of Mandodari, His Queen.
“With unlimited powers come unlimited disorder” , Mandodari’s father felt the need to warn her before her marriage to Ravana
Mandodari was always faithful to her role as the Queen of Lanka, but more often than not, being a queen does not allow you to be just a wife and a mother, and kudos to the author for depicting the struggle within her as a wife, a mother and a queen, so B E A utifully.
Mandodari gives us a unique perspective on Ravana. She is not blind to his arrogance, but is able to sees his raw emotions and watches him unfold his love for his children and his subjects.
The storytelling style is simple, yet soulful. From the start to finish, the author manages to narrate the story from Mandodari's perspective. We can see an entirely different side of Lankeswar,. Ravana like after losing all his children, gets ready to enter the war, Mandodari observes “A broken- hearted father and a shaken King prepared to fight.”
This modern retelling of Ramayana is really soulful, emotional and a must read.
Mandodari was such a significant character of Ramayana, but sadly, we hardly know her story. We have never learnt about her story as a lovely daughter, dutiful wife, a caring mother and then as a queen.
While Anand Neelakantan’s Asura, was Ramayana told by Ravana, a noble king who cares most for his people despite his shortcomings, This Book is written from the view point of Mandodari, His Queen.
“With unlimited powers come unlimited disorder” , Mandodari’s father felt the need to warn her before her marriage to Ravana
Mandodari was always faithful to her role as the Queen of Lanka, but more often than not, being a queen does not allow you to be just a wife and a mother, and kudos to the author for depicting the struggle within her as a wife, a mother and a queen, so B E A utifully.
Mandodari gives us a unique perspective on Ravana. She is not blind to his arrogance, but is able to sees his raw emotions and watches him unfold his love for his children and his subjects.
The storytelling style is simple, yet soulful. From the start to finish, the author manages to narrate the story from Mandodari's perspective. We can see an entirely different side of Lankeswar,. Ravana like after losing all his children, gets ready to enter the war, Mandodari observes “A broken- hearted father and a shaken King prepared to fight.”
This modern retelling of Ramayana is really soulful, emotional and a must read.
December 7, 2020
📑 : 270
🔖 : #fiction
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🇱🇰Hola bookstagrammers! How about a fictional retelling of Ramayana through the eyes of Mandodari, Ravana's wife?
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🇱🇰The story is narrated by Rani Mandodari, who is the Queen of Lanka. She was born to an asura king Mayasura and his apsara wife, Hema. She grows into a beautiful apsara and is married off to Ravana at a young age. It was love at first sight for both of them. As years pass by, their marriage becomes tumultuous. Despite her husband's faults, she loves and advises him to follow the path of righteousness.
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🇱🇰 Mandodari is a pious woman, who after withstanding her husband's adulteries, begins questioning him about his activities, his other marriages, and growing aspirations for power. Who really is Mandodari? What's is her role in Lanka apart from being the Queen? Will Ravana heed her advice? What happens to their first-born daughter?
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🇱🇰The author has borrowed the story from Sanghadasa's Jaina version of Mandodari, thereby giving voice to one of the least known characters of Hindu epics. As a character who's not at the forefront of wars, I loved that the author has chosen to write about Mandodari. The book's language is quite simple and almost all incidents, famous and unknown are included. The only problem is its linear narrative, which, after a point gets tedious and fails to capture the emotions of other characters.
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🇱🇰 "𝔸𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕪𝕒, 𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕦𝕡𝕒𝕕𝕚, 𝕊𝕚𝕥𝕒, 𝕋𝕒𝕣𝕒 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕠𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕚
𝕆𝕟𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕜𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕒!
The above lines are a shloka included in the book. I loved that the author has included a glossary at the end also a prologue that tells the previous birth of Mandodari. Go for this book if you love reading about unknown characters in mythology!
🔖 : #fiction
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🇱🇰Hola bookstagrammers! How about a fictional retelling of Ramayana through the eyes of Mandodari, Ravana's wife?
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🇱🇰The story is narrated by Rani Mandodari, who is the Queen of Lanka. She was born to an asura king Mayasura and his apsara wife, Hema. She grows into a beautiful apsara and is married off to Ravana at a young age. It was love at first sight for both of them. As years pass by, their marriage becomes tumultuous. Despite her husband's faults, she loves and advises him to follow the path of righteousness.
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🇱🇰 Mandodari is a pious woman, who after withstanding her husband's adulteries, begins questioning him about his activities, his other marriages, and growing aspirations for power. Who really is Mandodari? What's is her role in Lanka apart from being the Queen? Will Ravana heed her advice? What happens to their first-born daughter?
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🇱🇰The author has borrowed the story from Sanghadasa's Jaina version of Mandodari, thereby giving voice to one of the least known characters of Hindu epics. As a character who's not at the forefront of wars, I loved that the author has chosen to write about Mandodari. The book's language is quite simple and almost all incidents, famous and unknown are included. The only problem is its linear narrative, which, after a point gets tedious and fails to capture the emotions of other characters.
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🇱🇰 "𝔸𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕪𝕒, 𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕦𝕡𝕒𝕕𝕚, 𝕊𝕚𝕥𝕒, 𝕋𝕒𝕣𝕒 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕠𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕚
𝕆𝕟𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕜𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕒!
The above lines are a shloka included in the book. I loved that the author has included a glossary at the end also a prologue that tells the previous birth of Mandodari. Go for this book if you love reading about unknown characters in mythology!
August 15, 2018
The Ramayana is generally considered to be a book with no grey shades. As the book has been rewritten many times with religious discourse on mind, it has been over the years a book with only black or white characters. The good guys can do no wrong and the bad guys are irredeemably wrong. So it is really refreshing to read Ramayana from the Pov of Mandodari. Written by Manini Anandani, the book is full of characters whose motivation is not completely right or wrong. Ravana may be the rakhsasha who has been reviled by everyone but he also has a humane side to him which also undergoes pain and conflicts in delivering his duty. The book aptly captures the ethos of his and his brothers' while they go about their day to day duties.
Starting with the story of Mandodari's birth and going on to her marriage to Ravana, the book is sprinkled with a lot of delightful anecdotes some of which are really surprising. Especially the background of Sita's birth really zapped me, I had no clue about the same. Similarly the equation which Ravana shares with his siblings has been well depicted. The history shared between Vali and Ravana has also been touched upon lending some more background about the Vanaras relationship with Rama and Lakshmana.
While it is good overall, it would have been much better if the narrative was more fleshed out. The book moves from one incident to another without getting into depths of the goings on. It's a common trend that I am beginning to see with Indian books of late. I don't if it's due to an attempt to keep the book length to 250-300 pages.
However, it is an enjoyable read overall and an eye opener to a large extent.
Starting with the story of Mandodari's birth and going on to her marriage to Ravana, the book is sprinkled with a lot of delightful anecdotes some of which are really surprising. Especially the background of Sita's birth really zapped me, I had no clue about the same. Similarly the equation which Ravana shares with his siblings has been well depicted. The history shared between Vali and Ravana has also been touched upon lending some more background about the Vanaras relationship with Rama and Lakshmana.
While it is good overall, it would have been much better if the narrative was more fleshed out. The book moves from one incident to another without getting into depths of the goings on. It's a common trend that I am beginning to see with Indian books of late. I don't if it's due to an attempt to keep the book length to 250-300 pages.
However, it is an enjoyable read overall and an eye opener to a large extent.
August 15, 2018
Full review: http://vectorgaming.blogspot.com/2018...
A book which will give every reader a completely different perspective on Ravana and it might even help in appreciating his decisions. The view on Lanka, the ruling of Lanka and how the kingdom came to stand at its zenith before its downfall at the hands of Rama.
We see a woman, thrown into the hands of fate, married to a powerful man, a determined and shrewd man, who she can only follow. She tries many times to advice, but Lanka seems to be ruled by a man who believes strongly in his beliefs alone. A man set to prove the world wrong in their expectations from him, and in the process, lose sense of how and where life is taking him.
Although the book is named, Mandodari, Queen of Lanka, I felt at the end of the book, that I knew so much about Ravana, his life, his achievements and his deeds. I can not say I know the same about the Queen though. The life at Lanka through the eyes of the Queen is what the book portrays, but if you are looking to understand the Queen more, that is something you would be left craving for, as I was. The only bit where I saw Mandodari, and her views and thoughts clearly, was when she decides to go away and deliver her baby, who she wants to bring into the world without anyone's knowledge. Her conviction, her belief and decisions are seen only here.
But, I have to add I enjoyed the story, the narrative was simple and engaging, at times a little too detailed though. I can very confidently say I learnt so much about Ravana and Lanka. This seems to fit the missing link, more like the alter story when we think of the Ramayana.
A book which will give every reader a completely different perspective on Ravana and it might even help in appreciating his decisions. The view on Lanka, the ruling of Lanka and how the kingdom came to stand at its zenith before its downfall at the hands of Rama.
We see a woman, thrown into the hands of fate, married to a powerful man, a determined and shrewd man, who she can only follow. She tries many times to advice, but Lanka seems to be ruled by a man who believes strongly in his beliefs alone. A man set to prove the world wrong in their expectations from him, and in the process, lose sense of how and where life is taking him.
Although the book is named, Mandodari, Queen of Lanka, I felt at the end of the book, that I knew so much about Ravana, his life, his achievements and his deeds. I can not say I know the same about the Queen though. The life at Lanka through the eyes of the Queen is what the book portrays, but if you are looking to understand the Queen more, that is something you would be left craving for, as I was. The only bit where I saw Mandodari, and her views and thoughts clearly, was when she decides to go away and deliver her baby, who she wants to bring into the world without anyone's knowledge. Her conviction, her belief and decisions are seen only here.
But, I have to add I enjoyed the story, the narrative was simple and engaging, at times a little too detailed though. I can very confidently say I learnt so much about Ravana and Lanka. This seems to fit the missing link, more like the alter story when we think of the Ramayana.
May 12, 2021
This is not "Ramayana" from Mandodari's point of view. Firstly coz, it's not about Ram.
It is about Lankapati Raavan indeed, but it is also about his relationship with his Queen, Mandodari. It is about rakshasas as a clan, their life, the women, the Lanka as we do not know it.
Keeping in line with the tradition of bringing in women's perspective in the popular mythological storyline, Manini has opened our imagination to an altogether different POV.
I want to believe that this is the story as is. But isn't it, as we know, in history, the victor tells the story as they want it to be remembered?
But my question is, who is the victor indeed?
And what is it that Raavan lost? Or Lanka lost?
It is also the loss of all the Rakshasas, who are to be annihilated by the human God.
I think books like this are important because they serve the purpose of questioning our blind beliefs and we learn to be more empathetic to the other. Isn't it, the rakshasas, or danavas are othered by the humane narrative?
And there is much to say about the culture of othering in today's world.
And that is why, this book is more than just a novel offering an alternative storyline. And I'd highly recommend to people who're open to exploring new possibilities.
P.S.
Special mention:- I like how the author doesn't try to shape our beliefs, she let's us develop our own feelings about the characters. She has done a subtle characterisation, but the interpretation is left to us.
She has just woven a narrative, but it doesn't seem like an assertive..believe only this account kinda thing that people are usually into.
It is about Lankapati Raavan indeed, but it is also about his relationship with his Queen, Mandodari. It is about rakshasas as a clan, their life, the women, the Lanka as we do not know it.
Keeping in line with the tradition of bringing in women's perspective in the popular mythological storyline, Manini has opened our imagination to an altogether different POV.
I want to believe that this is the story as is. But isn't it, as we know, in history, the victor tells the story as they want it to be remembered?
But my question is, who is the victor indeed?
And what is it that Raavan lost? Or Lanka lost?
It is also the loss of all the Rakshasas, who are to be annihilated by the human God.
I think books like this are important because they serve the purpose of questioning our blind beliefs and we learn to be more empathetic to the other. Isn't it, the rakshasas, or danavas are othered by the humane narrative?
And there is much to say about the culture of othering in today's world.
And that is why, this book is more than just a novel offering an alternative storyline. And I'd highly recommend to people who're open to exploring new possibilities.
P.S.
Special mention:- I like how the author doesn't try to shape our beliefs, she let's us develop our own feelings about the characters. She has done a subtle characterisation, but the interpretation is left to us.
She has just woven a narrative, but it doesn't seem like an assertive..believe only this account kinda thing that people are usually into.
February 22, 2022
Manini J. Anandani
Firstly - hats off to author, Manini who has given a voice to Mandodari, the least known character in the epic Ramayana.
Mandodari,a beautiful Apsara got married to Raavan, the King of Lanka. I must say i have been hooked up from the beginning right till the end.
Knowing Raavan, Khumbakarna and Vibishan, Kaikesi and Raavan's sister, Meenakshi and not forgetting the entire Lanka and the battle that has taken place - this book is gripping and unputdownable.
"Rani Mandodari, I see a certain glow on your face. Is it the result of my sweet talk or the wine from the grapes?"
"When a woman gets all the love that she deserves from her husband, it's all she needs to glow."
The last 50 pages was so intense and left me trembling and in tears. The love of Mandodari towards Raavan has brought her out towards the battlefield. She has watched her own son, Indrajeet died, sons of Lanka being slaughtered during the 13 days of battle, children and women are mourning for their lost and now watching Raavan taking his last breath.
13th day of war
Mandodari “I ran through the gates into the heart of the battlefield. It was a sea of bodies!”
Raavan “What brings you here, Mandodari? I lived this long only to see you one last time. Don’t cry like I have failed you, I die written in history”
Mandodari has proven the strength and endurance of a woman and no doubts she is known as one of the five iconic women of the Hindu epics.
Firstly - hats off to author, Manini who has given a voice to Mandodari, the least known character in the epic Ramayana.
Mandodari,a beautiful Apsara got married to Raavan, the King of Lanka. I must say i have been hooked up from the beginning right till the end.
Knowing Raavan, Khumbakarna and Vibishan, Kaikesi and Raavan's sister, Meenakshi and not forgetting the entire Lanka and the battle that has taken place - this book is gripping and unputdownable.
"Rani Mandodari, I see a certain glow on your face. Is it the result of my sweet talk or the wine from the grapes?"
"When a woman gets all the love that she deserves from her husband, it's all she needs to glow."
The last 50 pages was so intense and left me trembling and in tears. The love of Mandodari towards Raavan has brought her out towards the battlefield. She has watched her own son, Indrajeet died, sons of Lanka being slaughtered during the 13 days of battle, children and women are mourning for their lost and now watching Raavan taking his last breath.
13th day of war
Mandodari “I ran through the gates into the heart of the battlefield. It was a sea of bodies!”
Raavan “What brings you here, Mandodari? I lived this long only to see you one last time. Don’t cry like I have failed you, I die written in history”
Mandodari has proven the strength and endurance of a woman and no doubts she is known as one of the five iconic women of the Hindu epics.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 62 reviews