Adhyatma Ramayana

by Tapasyananda

Original Sanskrit with English translation of what is called the spiritual version of the Valmiki Ramayana. The book is an abridgement of the Valmiki Ramayana and consists of 3643 verses which tells the story of Rama.

Genres: Spirituality

376 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

About the author

Swami Tapasyananda (1904-1991) was a senior monk of the Ramakrishna Mission. He was a disciple of Swami Shivananda, one of the eminent disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. The Swami was a vice-president of the Ramakrishna Order from 1985-1991. He has to his credit many books in English, including the translations of many scriptures. He was the president of Ramakrishna Math, Chennai from 1971-1991. He was a prolific writer. He translated many Hindu classics into English from original Sanskrit.

Reviews

[Priyanka Dutta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finished the book. But it needs to be re-read.
While squeezing out content from the story form of spiritual literature, I could learn a lot of important facts.

Briefing a few here:

1. Sage Viswamitra bestows Lord Rama n Lakshmana with blessings of Bala n Atibala.

This indicates that by constant devotion, practice of austerities special powers are attained.

2. Lord Rama kills Rakshasas, Maricha and Subahu.

If we focus on the way of killing-a major point comes out. That is Obstacles in the path of liberation (why just liberation-any work) can be removed either by annihilation or by distancing onself from the obstacle.

3. Ahalya episode helped me find the following points.
Penances are performed by Japa-meditating on the supreme, by restricting one's diet, by visiting pilgrimage, by remaining in isolation.

Devotion of Ahalya helped find the following points-
Any of the following can be considered as method of devotion: a)Reciting hymn with clear words of vedic import sanctioned by spiritual tradition,
b)describing the Lord as viewed in the mind, in the depth of calmness
c) describing the Lord's sport.
d) describing the Lord's attributes.

Many more...need to re-read

[Edward Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the "spiritual" Ramayana, i.e., the version that, while treating the narrative elements in less elaborate fashion, makes explicit the theological dimensions of the text. I decided to read it alongside the volumes of Valmiki's Ramayana in the Clay Sanskrit series, then to finish the story in this edition when I realized that the Clay Sanskrit Ramayana wasn't complete yet.

I appreciated the Adhyatma Ramayana, though it didn't live up to my expectations, because the interpretation did not go as far as I expected. Many aspects of the plot are explained merely as having been a "play" of Rama, without really addressing what is accomplished for the cosmos by Rama (Mahavishnu, Narayana) limiting himself in this fashion, though one can, through reflection, work it out, and perhaps this is what the author of the Adhyatma Ramayana felt was appropriate.

It is made clear that Rama becomes human and undergoes human experiences in order to provide an object of devotion, and hence liberation, for humans. But what is lacking is enough discussion of the value of these particular experiences, and whether there is some cosmic benefit beyond the story itself to his experiences. The cosmic benefit which is mentioned is the humbling of the Rakshasas, but this is not unpacked.

[Here is my theory: the Rakshasas have acquired excessive power through the boons that Ravana, in particular, has acquired through the practice of austerities, an imbalance which needs to be corrected through, in effect, increasing the effectiveness of, and access to, bhakti or devotional worship of Gods. Therefore a major deity takes on a charismatic human form and performs memorable deeds in order to strengthen this mode of worship as compared with the acquisition of raw spiritual power through ascetic practices that virtually force the deities directly in charge of the cosmos (i.e., the Devas, especially Indra) to make concessions to individuals, such as Ravana, who are not even morally worthy, but are simply very determined and self-controlled.]

At any rate, I recommend the Adhyatma Ramayana to anyone who is interested in the spiritual significance of the Ramayana, with the understanding that it should not be one's choice if one is interested in the entertainment value of the story; it is unapologetically pedantic. It goes without saying, of course, that if one has a devotional interest in the text, the Adhyatma Ramayana is indispensable. This edition is attractive; it includes the Sanskrit text, though without transliteration, which would have been nice for purposes of recitation, and a glossary would have been useful.

[Venkat Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most enlightening rendering of the Ramayana.

Adhyātma Ramayana is part of Brahmāṇḍa purāṇa, one of the 18 purāṇas.

Adhyātma Ramayana contains the essence of the Upanishads, beautifully narrated in a lucid and a stirring manner. It crystallizes abstract philosophy into concepts that are easy to understand.

Adhyātma Ramayana presents the whole of Rama's story placed in a spiritual setting. Here Rama is not only a great person, an exemplar of the highest ideals of Dharma, but the very God, the divine incarnate, fully remembering his spiritual glory. Directions for spiritual practice appear in every part of it. It also includes the wonderful Rama Gita.

To establish Rama's divine status as an object of worship and devotion and to teach that Bhakti and Jñāna are not only reconcilable but always go together--is the prime object of this great text. It includes a large number of hymns and many philosophical discourses. Besides teaching fervent devotion, these give a very simple exposition of Advaita. They establish the doctrine that non-duality is the Supreme Truth but the way to its realization is through Bhakti.

There are several differences between Adhyātma Ramayana and Valmiki Ramayana. For example, the Sita who was abducted by Ravana is only a double in Adhyātma Ramayana and not the real Sita.

This book must be studied by everyone who wants a deep understanding of the Ramayana.

[Vijaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeking Rama Beyond the Story: A First Look at Adhyatma Ramayana

Adhyatma Ramayana is the spiritual retelling of Rama saga. I picked this book after reading a booklet titled Thus Spake Rama, which left me curious and a bit puzzled. The content felt deeply Vedantic, yet I couldn't trace its source in the Valmiki Ramayana, which I had read earlier and found to be primarily a narrative of Rama's life. That gap lead me to Adhyatma Ramayana.
Although this is my first time reading the text, and while I found the experience enriching, I did struggle with the Devanagari scripts. Thankfully, Swami Tapasyananda's English translation is clear and well-rendered, making the Sanskrit slokas more accessible. One line from the back cover sums it up beautifully: "What Bhagavata is to Krishna, that the Adhyatma Ramayana is to Rama in revealing his spiritual excellence." That alone makes a strong case for a reread.