Studies on Ramayana

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Publisher’s Note

The Studies on Ramayana, is a collection of writings by the eminent Sanskrit Scholar, Dr. V. Raghavan, in whose name this Centre functions, prepetuating his memory and propagating his work and contribution to the multi-dimensional aspects of Indian Heritage. It is most befitting that this publication is being released during the year-long Celebration of the Centenary of the author and on his 30th Remembrance Day. The content of the publication IS one very dear to Dr. Raghavan, an ardent Rama-bhakta himself, having reached his heavenly abode on a Rama Navami Day.

The different aspects of the immortal Epic covered by the author in this volume truly reflect his innate love for the subject, his adoration of the Supreme Incarnation, and the admiration he brings forth therein towards the Adi Kavi -whom he describes in the words of his another favourite-King Bhoja, who pronounces Valmiki as : Margadarsi Maharsih-the Path-maker’.

The topics in this collection come under three categories- Texts, Characters and General; they range from different Texts of the Epic, like the Tattva Samgraha Ramayana to the most intricate aspects like the analysis of characters in the Epic; also wide variety of information pertaining to the approaches of other authors and poets and interesting discussion on the toponymic duplication of Bodhi and Visnupada in NW India find a place in this collection. Some of the articles in this volume have been included earlier as part of a collection by other organisations like the Indian Institute of World Culture, Bangalore, The Adyar Library, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi etc. His prize - winning article of 1931- Vamiki and Kalidasa which is an amazing analysis, had been published long back by the Samskrita Academy. Dr. Raghavan’s own Publishing House - ‘Punarvasu’ and his own sons, Sri Kalidas and Sri Charudattan had taken up the publication, Poets’ of Homages to Adi Kavi and Adi Kavya. Dr. Raghavan had his own unique way of spreading worthy knowledge to people by presenting small publications during the weddings of his four children; one such was “Two Brothers” presented on the occasion of his second son Sri. Charudattan’s marraige which finds a place in this compilation. Dr. Raghavari’s interest in analyzing and writing at length on the vast existence of the Rama-Story in an all-pervasive manner from region to region and across the globe, uniting people of different cultures, is simply astonishing. A hitherto unpublished article on Ramayana Lore abroad and few more highlighting the Universal existence of the Epic will be of great interest to all those who are deeply involved in its study and research. Homages of the Poets to the Adi Kavi and the Adi Ksvye brings an apt conclusion to this collection.

The Centre on earlier occasions has brought out two other publications of this author on this subject, presented as Endowment Lectures by him under two different universities-Sanskrit Ramayana other than Valmiki’s and The Ramayana In Classical Sanskrit and Prakrt. Mahakavya Litersture’; in 1961 a series of lectures at the Annamalai University appeared as “Some Old Lost Rama-plays”, His other major works like The Ramayana: in Greater India’, The Greater Ramayana, Ramayana Tradition in Asia’, were brought out during the life of the author by other publishers. Smaller publications on this subject like the Ramayana Triveni by the author have been published long back by the Samskrita Academy.

Sri. R. Kalidas the eledest son of the author, has been the major source of support over the years in all the pursuits of the centre; this publication too has received his unfailing support, thereby expressing once again his devoted committmenet to the centre’s tireless efforts in cherishing the memory of the scholar. I am sure, our father, and mother who departed from this world to join him, after witnessing the inaguration of his Centenary Celebrations, are showering there blessings on Sri. Kalidas and family as well as their other children and their respective families, to achieve further goals.

“As long as the mountains stand and rivers flow”, the Indian mind as well as those around the world involved in the Ramayana Study will always cherish the values nurtured in the epic; similarly it is sincerely hoped that all of them will value the tireless efforts of a unique scholar like Dr. Raghavan, who has plunged deep into the Epic-ocean to bring forth pearls of knowledge wisdom and nobility of life.

The Centre acknowledges the assistance provided in the proof reading process by Dr. P. Rama Chandrasekhar, Sanskrit Teacher and Smt. Sivapriya Krishnan, Carnatic musician; Sri. Venkatesh of Kayveekay Letter Prints is to be thanked for printing this work with care and attention.

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