Title: Stolen
Hope - Ramayana (The Game of Life)
Author:
Shubha Vilas
Publisher:
Jaico Publishing House
ISBN: 9788184958249
Genre: Mythology
Pages: 312
Rating: 4/5
The
word “Ramayana” brings me back to my childhood. The old time when I would pick
my father’s finger and we toured in our city during Navratras. There were
colourful jhankis’ into various grounds and I didn’t know then actors, just
playing respective roles, they were normal human being like me. Although I am
not a hard core believer of Idolatry but I loved to dwell into mythological
stories since childhood.
While I
was putting my hands on this third book of Ramayana Series: The Game of Life by
Shubha Vilas, I knew very moment, it would definitely be a gentle read. There
was personal note by author that was heart warmer for a reader like me.
Intro
As
comes to book, It starts from the brief chapter of previous books of Shubha
Vilas. Though I know a bit about Ramayana but those short descriptions helped me
to connect further.
Before
diving into the plot, here I want to mention, you are going to get not only the
story but the author’s perspective about incidents happened in that era, you
would have found footnotes, interpretations that was so enlightening and should
apply in our daily lives for sure. Thank You to Shubha Vilas.
On the
Jacket
In the evil labyrinths of Dandakaranya forest, human values
are put to test. Rama’s righteousness, Lakshmana’s loyalty and Sita’s endurance
reflect our own sense of values and judgment in difficult times. The story
unfolds the facets of human life – the conflict and the trickery, the praise
and the slander and, above all, the hope and the despair in the eventful forest
life of the Exiled Royals.
Stolen Hope is about extreme deception and extreme
love. It is about arrogant power and deep devotion. With every twist and turn,
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana find themselves robbed of whatever and whoever they
value most.
Exploring the dynamics of human relations –
between father and son, husband and wife, teacher and disciple – and the
complex game of power and greed, Stolen Hope mirrors our own dilemmas in the
modern world and teaches us how we must overcome them.
Seek courage when everything, including hope, is
stolen.
Plot
The beginning
of the chapters based on the history of Dandkaranya forest, Where Lord Rama had
spent few time of his exile with Sita and his brother Lakshamana. There was an incident—
Araja, daughter of Shukracharya had been severely devastated by King Danda. And
whole jungle was being cursed by Shukracharya because of Danda’s misdeed.
After years,
Rama arrived here to change the fate of jungle. This book covered many encounters
with rakshashas and sensible meetings of Rama with sages for instance— the part
of Agastya description enthralled us to read more. Involvement of Surpanakha
and abduction of Sita, and How Shabri treated their guest portrayed
beautifully.
Narration
When it
comes to writing style, Must say author transformed a hard read into an easy
going story. You can connect easily with characters, I sensed that the picture
while reading it, somewhat like a play at the theater.
Book contains
physical more than that emotional journey of Rama and Sita. Author didn’t
forget to explore the character of Lakshamana with such a sensible view. There
were few different incidents I have not aware about them before. I didn’t know
a bit about Eighteen Curses of Ravana,earlier. With upright narration author
wins the heart.
Core
We can
adapt that’s the only way we evolved. Here Author raised a many questions while
approaching the epic tale. As under the section of “Science of Giving Feedback”
1. Does one have the right authority to give the
feedback?
2. Even if one has the right authority, does one have the right motive to give
a feedback?
3. Even if one has the right authority and motive, is it the right time, place
and circumstance to give the feedback?
Third
Chapter of “Stolen Hope” — Still Water Runs Deep, tells us about the Panchvati
where Rama spend last few years of his exile. And that was most enigmatic part
of the book.
Plus In
“a wounded witness” I could explore the fierce battle between Rama and Jatayu,
The story behind the river Kaveri, the short view about the marriage of Ravana
and Mandodari, Khara and Their Fourteen Thousand soldiers. Why snakes have bi-bifurcated
tongue. There is so much to tell about
the book but Reading would be more fun. Go for It, If you are interested to
read a refreshing tale of Ramayana.
Reader’s Moment
Here, I
am presenting, keen observation of human behavior in author’s words, truly reservoir
of serene thoughts —
- Difficulties
are nature’s speed-breakers that prevent us from driving too fast in life to be
able to gratefully appreciate the beauty it has to offer.
- By
acceptance, pain transforms into will power to fly and by non-acceptance into a
helpless cocoon to die.
- In
expecting big chunks of happiness at one shot, we forgot to relish little
packets of opportunities that come in regularly.
- Words
cause mental wounds that don’t heal with time, heal with timely love.
About The Author
A spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker, he believes "A good teacher sees learning and teaching as integral twin aspects of personal and spiritual growth." He has been involved in many Leadership seminars: Focus on relevant and vital themes: "secrets of Lasting Relationship" "Soul Curry to Stop Worry" and "work-Life-Balance" This is his third book of Ramayana Series.
