The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume VII: Uttarakāṇḍa (Princeton Library of Asian Translations, 151)

The concluding volume of a critical English edition of the monumental Indian epicThe seventh and final book of the monumental Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki, the Uttarakāṇḍa, brings the epic saga to a close with an account of the dramatic events of King Rāma's millennia-long reign. It opens with a colorful history of the demonic race of the rākṣasas and the violent career of Rāma's villainous foe Rāvaṇa, and later recounts Rāma's grateful discharge of his allies in the great war at Lankā as well as his romantic reunion with his wife Sītā. But dark clouds gather as Rāma, confronted by scandal over Sītā's time in captivity under the lustful Rāvaṇa, makes the agonizing decision to banish his beloved wife, now pregnant. As Rāma continues as king, marvelous tales and events unfurl, illustrating the benefits of righteous rule and the perils that await monarchs who fail to address the needs of their subjects.The Uttarakāṇḍa has long served as a point of social and religious controversy largely for its accounts of the banishment of Sītā, as well as of Rāma's killing of a low-caste ascetic. The translators'introduction provides a full discussion of these issues and the complex reception history of the Uttarakāṇḍa. This translation of the critical edition also includes exhaustive notes and a comprehensive bibliography. The concluding volume of a critical English edition of the monumental Indian epic The seventh and final book of the monumental Rmyaa of Vlmki , the Uttaraka , brings the epic saga to a close with an account of the dramatic events of King Rma's millennia-long reign. It opens with a colorful history of the demonic race of the rkasas and the violent career of Rmas villainous foe Rvaa, and later recounts Rmas grateful discharge of his allies in the great war at Lank as well as his romantic reunion with his wife St. But dark clouds gather as Rma, confronted by scandal over Sts time in captivity under the lustful Rvaa, makes the agonizing decision to banish his beloved wife, now pregnant. As Rma continues as king, marvelous tales and events unfurl, illustrating the benefits of righteous rule and the perils that await monarchs who fail to address the needs of their subjects. The Uttaraka has long served as a point of social and religious controversy largely for its accounts of the banishment of St, as well as of Rmas killing of a low-caste ascetic. The translators introduction provides a full discussion of these issues and the complex reception history of the Uttaraka . This translation of the critical edition also includes exhaustive notes and a comprehensive bibliography. Cover Title Copyright Contents List of Abbreviations Preface Guide to Sanskrit Pronunciation Part I: Introduction 1. Preamble and Synopsis of the Uttarakāṇḍa 2. The Major Characters of the Uttarakāṇḍa 3. The Rākṣasas of the Uttarakāṇḍa 4. The Work of the Uttarakāṇḍa 5. Who Knows the Uttarakāṇḍa 6. The Problem of the Uttarakāṇḍa 7. The Controversial Episodes: The Uttarakāṇḍa and Its Critics 8. The Structure of the Uttarakāṇḍa 9. Historicity and Sovereignty in the Uttarakāṇḍa 10. The Theology of the Uttarakāṇḍa 11. The Rāmāyaṇam and the Gāyatrīmantra 12. The Text, Commentaries, and Translations of the Uttarakāṇḍa Part II: Uttarakāṇḍa Part III: Notes The Prakṣipta Sargas Genealogy of the Rākṣasas Glossary of Important Sanskrit Words, Proper Nouns, and Epithets Emendations and Corrections of the Critical Edition Bibliography of Works Consulted Index This is the first of seven volumes that will present a complete and fully annotated translation of the "Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa". This great Sanskrit epic of ancient India has profoundly affected the literature, art, religions, and cultures of countless millions of people in South and Southeast Asia -- an influence that is perhaps unparalleled in the history of world literature. For the first time it has here been translated on the basis of the critical edition, which is based on manuscripts representing all recensional traditions. In this first volume Robert P. Goldman has written a major scholarly introduction and has given copious annotation dealing with the poem's numerous textual and exegetical problems, drawing on the contributors of generations of Sanskrit commentators. -- From publisher's description Counts the final dramatic war between the forces of good led by the exiled prince Rama, and the forces of evil commanded by the arch demon Ravana. This title contains some of the extraordinary events and larger-than-life characters to be found anywhere in world literature. It includes an introduction, notes, and a comprehensive bibliography.