Women of Ramayan

Book excerpt: This book tells the stories of five women of Rāmāyaṇ who not only avenged themselves against the most powerful people of those times but also won justice for the weak and downtrodden. In the process, the book reimagines the events of past by removing the thick layers of fantasy and hyperbole. While keeping the stories realistic and reasonable, and passing the stringent tests of logic and credibility, the book answers several rarely asked questions. WHY and HOW did Ahalyā mastermind the downfall of Indra - the most influential person of those times? Kaikeyī take revenge against her adversaries - Kauśalyā and Vasiṣtha? Śūrpaṇakhā plot the death of her own brother? Mandodarī protect her biggest rival, Sitā? Tārā engineer the murder of her own husband? The book challenges the popular perception of these five women. Step by step, it demolishes the false myths about them that have taken deep roots in our collective conscience. The book goes on to prove a singular fact - they were women of such substance that despite all obstacles, they managed to carve a significant and unique space for themselves in Indian history.