The Ramayana

The Ramayana: A New Retelling of Valmiki’s Ancient Epic—Complete and Comprehensive | By Linda Egenes and Kumuda Reddy | TarcherPerigee, a division of Penguin Random House, 2016

The Ramayana is the most widely read epic in history, and this luminous retelling captures the transcendental nature of the ancient Vedic civilization of India while keeping modern readers turning the pages. The lyrical prose is easy to read, punctuated by Linda Egenes’s descriptive poetry that evokes the original poetic form of its creator, the sage Valmiki. Each chapter ends with a direct translation of the Sanskrit text, keeping the reader grounded in the sublime message of a story that is sacred to millions. 


In his sweeping introduction, Ramayana scholar and producer Michael Sternfeld writes, “For those not familiar with the Ramayana, it has been described as the original epic quest—comparable to the Bible, Star Wars, and Romeo and Juliet all rolled into one.”

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Also available as an audiobook, narrated by the actor Deepti Gupta on Audible.com.

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Praise for The Ramayana: A New Retelling of Valmiki’s Ancient Epic

“This new version is so simply and beautifully written—it will stir your soul!”
David LynchFilmmaker
“This book is so lyrically rendered that you won’t even notice the wisdom seeping in.”
HUFFINGTON POST
“. . . . this new edition by two experts in meditation and Ayurvedic health is commendable for its effort; it’s a strong abridgement, striking an effective balance between retaining the poem’s structure and multiple sub-plots and reducing the poem’s intimidating original length.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“This famous Indian epic is brought back to life in this new version.”
KC Star “Faith Matters” blog
“A luminous new rendering of an epic that remains as relevant as it is timeless.”
Craig Pearson, Ph.D.Vice President for Academic Affairs at Maharishi International University, author of THE SUPREME AWAKENING
“This retelling of the Ramayana is an impressive compilation, beautifully narrated, mingled with thoughtful poetic expressions both original and modern. A retelling for all times, it stays true to the original Valmiki Ramayana, and its exalted execution by Egenes and Reddy sounds natural to the ear for modern readers.”
Bal Ram Singh, Ph.D.Director, Center for Indic Studies
 at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and author of EXPLORING SCIENCE IN ANCIENT INDIAN TEXTS
“At last! A retelling of Valmiki’s Ramayana that understands and expresses the role of consciousness in thought, speech, and action. This elegantly written version is the one to read.”
Rhoda Orme-Johnson. Ph.D. Co-author of THE FLOW OF CONSCIOUSNESS
“The age-old Sanskrit epic poem, The Ramayana, animates timeless themes of good and evil through the story of Rama’s journey. Reimagined by Linda Egenes and Kumuda Reddy, this vernacular prose retelling features narrative clarity, richly textured imagery, and a luminous storytelling voice that leaps off the page. This is a treasure that begs to be read out loud.”
Hertha D. Sweet Wong, Ph.D.Professor and Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities at the University of California, Berkeley; author of PICTURING IDENTITY: Contemporary American Autobiography in Image and Text
“In this wonderful newly abridged adaptation by Linda Egenes and Kumuda Reddy, the Ramayana takes on new life. Egenes and Reddy have given us a text that is lucid and lyrical, eminently readable, and will make a fine addition to libraries and classrooms.”
Steven Schneider, Ph.D.Poet, professor of English at University of Texas-Pan American and editor of THE CONTEMPORARY NARRATIVE POEM: Critical Crosscurrents
“The Ramayana is one of the great treasures of mankind. It tells a gripping story but it is very long and it is in Sanskrit. Linda Egenes and Kumuda Reddy have retold the story at manageable length in beautiful English and they have kept the dramatic tension, which makes the reader want to read on. I know the story well but I could not wait to see what came next. Well done.”
Vernon Katz, D.Phil.Author of CONVERSATIONS WITH MAHARISHI
“This eminently readable and poetic retelling by Linda Egenes and Kumuda Reddy captures the flavor of the ancient text, brings out philosophical and spiritual truths sometimes glossed over by modern translators, and flows so smoothly it is hard to put down."
Jack ForemAuthor of TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION: The Essential Teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
“Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are resplendent in our minds and ensconced in our hearts as we traverse the beauty, tragedy, and adventure of the Ramayana in this elegant retelling of the classic.”
Saraswati NagpalAuthor of SITA: DAUGHTER OF THE EARTH
“Perhaps the best modern retelling to date, this version by Egenes and Reddy is true to Valmiki’s text yet keeps you turning the pages. Will be appreciated by adults and children, Indian and Western audiences alike.”
Chandrika TandonGrammy nominee and founder of Soul Chants Music
“This lovely and sensitive adaptation of the Ramayana is easy and enjoyable to read without losing the deeper layers of insight that make the story timeless. I heartily recommend it!”
Prudence Farrow Bruns, Ph.D.Author of DEAR PRUDENCE: The Story Behind the Song
“In this new prose translation of the Ramayana, Linda Egenes and Kumuda Reddy maintain the cadence and richness of language of the original poetic epic. Their retelling is marvelously accessible to the modern reader, adding a welcome freshness to this timeless tale. Furthermore, Sternfeld’s introduction provides a new dimension to understanding the depth and breadth of this universal story.”
Care ConnetAuthor of DIARY OF THE WHITE BUSH CLOVER: A Peace Pilgrimage
“These authors portray Vedic life in its larger and deeper context, bringing out the nobility of the heroic action of the characters. It is beautifully written, suitable for all ages, and keeps the reader engaged. By the end I was moved to tears.”
Susan Andersen, Ph.D.Co-author of THE FLOW OF CONSCIOUSNESS
“In this new masterpiece Egenes and Reddy make this timeless story accessible to modern readers.”
TM HOME
“If you have not yet read the Ramayana, here is an entry into a remarkable adventure in reading and upliftment.”
LIGHT OF CONSCIOUSNESS magazine (August 2016)
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