One of the characters in Ramayana - an Indian epic written by Valmiki, Thulsi and Kamban in different periods,different languages and with different interpretations - is Ravana, a monarch in Lanka.

The amusing part of it is that in Lanka both the Thamilians and the Sinhalas claim  that the ten-headed Giant Ruler spoke only their respective language.

Funnier still is that the Hindus claim  tht he was a Saivaite and an exponent of playing the Rudra Veena. Mythically he is supposed to have  broken one of his heads and turned it into a Veena and played tunes to appease Lord Siva.

Again I am told that a researcher in Lanka has discovered the exact musical instrument that Ravana is supposed to have played. He has traced it to an Aryan instrument found in Rajasthan in north India.In other words, the implication is: Ravana, a Rajput from Rajasthan was not a Dravidian but a North Indian monarch of ancient Lanka.

I do not know about all this but such beliefs are there among us. It is very difficult to extricate history or truth from myths.

Let the patriots and others fight about  these matters and break their heads over such suppositions and add to the problems of the already alienated nation.

The myths and legends believed by diferent communities in the island are playing havoc and putting civilization and modernity to the backwoods. Maybe that is God’s design.

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In this backdrop, let me introduce a book in English titled "Ramayana in Lanka". It was published by the Chinmaya Mission Sri Lanka (32, 10th Lane, Off Schofield Place, Colombo 03) and edited by Sivanandini Duraiswamy.

To be honest, I really do not know much about Swami Chinmayananda, although i have heard 0f him.

First let me quote two of his pronouncements:

"What you have is His gift to you. What you do with what you have is your gift to Him."

"Sri Rama stands out, bearing His righteous bow ever in the defence of honour and truth, of justice and paece. He also has a dash of frailties, which make Him truly human and yet in His divine glories stands out distinctly. A colossus of beauty, a mighty titan of strength and a soaring peak of Olympus."

Writing about the heroine in Ramayana, Sita, Swami Tejomayananda says in his message to this publication:

"...It is because of Supreme devotion for Lord Shri Rama and utter disregard to worldly pleasures which gave her the strength and courage, seeing which even the evil- minded powerful Ravana dared not touch her. Insult to a pious soul led him to his destruction."

This Swami is the Head of the Chinmaya Mission Worldwide. He was in Colombo last week to deliver a spiritual discourse on Tulsiramayana. The book under review is a publication to coincide his visit.

Rama is believed to have been one of the ‘avatars’ (reincarnation) of Lord  Vishnu.

The editor of this publication, respected Sivanandini Duraisamy in her foreword says:

"Scholars may tell us that the Lanka of Ravana lies submerged in the sea, yet the Lanka of the Ramayana is full of reminiscences which unmistakably link scenes and stories with Sita and her sojourn in Lanka, Ravana and his days, Hanuman and his deeds and finally the conquest by Ravana... the basic theme underlying the story (Ramayana), is the eradication of adharma and the restoration of dharma."

In this beautifully and profusely illustrated publication containing perceptive articles on spiritual, historical and philosophical subjects by scholars, the general reader  and the specialsts in the univerisities would find enough material to understand  the monistic aspect of Hinduism and related subjects.

I foumd Prof S Pathmanathan’s article titled, " Sri Lanka and the Ramayana", very helpful to understand the history, the legend, the myth and aspects of Hinduism. In short, even the other articles deserve special mention and are in line with the noble thoughts written down.

Extracts from Pathmanathan’s article:

"The Ramayana was read with deep interest and admiration in Sri Lanka from ancient times. King Kumaradasa (506-616) wrote the Janaki-harana, the abduction of Sita, a work based on the characters of the Ramayana. The Mahavamsa records the fact that there were folk traditions pertaining to the Ramayana around the 12th century."

"Vibishana who became an accomplice of Rama was conscecrated as Lord of Lanka on the demise of Ravana. He was instrumental in the restration of peace, prosperity, and the ancient lineage of Kings in Sri Lanka. He was deified as a guardian god of Lanka and of Buddhism. Sita and Hanuman have found a significant place in Sri Lanakan culture and tradition. She has been elevated to the rank of a deity and Hanuman figures prominently in magic and sorcery. In the ritual of anjanam he appears as a monkey and shows the way of tracing stolen goods and culprits."

" Local Hindu tradition credits Srirama with having established shrines at Muneswaram, Koneswaram, Maamankam and a few other temple sites."

"According to the traditions pertaining to the ancient Siva temple of Muneswaram, the temple was estabished by Rama as a measure of expiation for  redeeming him from the sin of having killed Ravana in battle."

" The Taksinakailaca puranam, a Talapuranam written in the 14th century by a king called Cekaracacekeran, claims that Rama and vibishana, who became king of Lanka after the fall of Ravana, visited okarnam,offered worship and secured release from the sin of having slain Ravana...." Please read this and other articles in this worthy publication, elegantly edited by Sivanandini Duraisamay in measured and beautiful English.

Some business concerns both in Lanka and India sponsored this venture.