RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN

The Ramayana is perhaps one of the best known epics in the world which transcends all barriers of time caste creed and space. The reason for Ramayanas great popularity is that it is one story entwined in so many amazing stories woven so beautifully that not even for a moment you feel out of place. It takes you on a journey beyond comprehension. Ramayana is the tale of Rama the prince of Ayodhya. It tells the story of Prince Ramas birth childhood exile and struggle to rescue his faithful wife Sita from the clutches of Demon Ravan and his reclaiming of the throne of Ayodhya. Throughout the centuries countless versions of the Ramayana have been produced in numerous formats and languages for readers of all ages. But previous English versions have been either too short to capture the magnitude of the original or too bulky to finish in one sitting. Now Seema Gupta has rendered the tale in simple and lucid language that conveys all the beauty and excitement of the original while making this spiritual and literary classic accessible to a new generation of readers specially the teenagers. Presented beautifully with high resolution black & white illustrations this vivid and vibrant presentation of the epic is a perfect read for children of all ages. The epic presented in a Graded Reader style is divided into various sections (Kand) and chapters. Contents: Introduction to Ramayana Main Characters in Ramayana 1. Bal Kand a) Youthful Majesties b) Birth of Rama c) Vishwamitra’s Arrival d) Tadaka Mareecha and Subahu e) Sage Gautama and Ahalya f) Sita Swayamvara 2. Ayodhya Kand a) Tumultuous Times b) Manthara’s Devious Plot c) Ramas Banishment d) Dasharatha Remembers Shravan Kumar e) Bharata Meets Rama 3. Aranya Kand a) Forest Retreat b) Panchvati c) Soorpanakha d) Sita’s Abduction e) In Search of Sita 4. Kishkindha Kand g) Grandeur of Alliance h) Rama–Sugriva Alliance i) Rama Kills Bali j) Hanuman’s Pursuit 5. Sundar Kand a) Fascinating Leap b) Hanuman Reaches Lanka c) Ashok Vatika d) Hanuman Meets Sita e) Lanka Dahan 6. Yuddha Kand g) Devastating War h) Crossing the Ocean i) The Great Fight j) Sanjeevani Booti k) The Grand Finale l) Sita’s Agni Pariksha 7. Uttara Kand a) Post Script b) Rama – the King of Ayodhya c) Sitas Banishment d) Luva and Kusha e) The Ashwamedha Horse d) Sita Embraces Mother Earth f) Rama’s Sons g) Morals in the Ramayana