‘Simplified and Faithful Rendering of the Adi Kavya’
Valmiki Ramayana: The
Greatest Epic (Bala and Ayodhya Kandas)
Authored by Vanam Jwala
Narasimha Rao
Author’s ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
{Tirumala
Lord Venkateswara Swamy, during our Break Darshan on our 57th wedding
anniversary on April 30, 2026, bestowed His Divine Blessings to me, my wife, my
daughter, and son-in-law, and released my book ‘Simplified and Faithful
Rendering of Adi Kavya; Valmiki Ramayana: The Greatest Epic (Bala and Ayodhya
Kandas).’
By
His Grace I had the fortune to present the book through the hands of Archaka
Swamy present there to the Lord, and take the book back with ‘Banana Fruit Prasadam’
and Lord’s Divine Blessings. Lord
Venkateswara Swamy also blessed us through ‘Veda Ashirvachanam’ by the
Archakas. My profuse Thanks to all who have been part of facilitating this ‘Divine
Blessings to our family}-Jwala Narasimha Rao Vanam
It
gives me immense pleasure, coupled with deep and inexplicable gratitude, in
acknowledging the implicit and explicit encouragement that led to this 750-page
voluminous first part of ‘Simplified and Faithful Rendering of the Adi
Kavya: Valmiki Ramayana – The Greatest Epic (Bala and Ayodhya Kandas).’
This book would not have seen the light of day without the generous
contributions, encouragement, and unwavering support of many remarkable
individuals, to whom I record my deep and heartfelt thanks.
This
is a humble and sincere effort on my part to share the knowledge I was able to
gain and benefit from, by reading ‘Andhra Valmiki Ramayana Mandaram,’
the monumental and everlasting work of Late Andhra Valmiki Vavilikolanu
Subbarau (Vasudasa Swamy), who faithfully rendered 24000 Sanskrit shlokas into
an equal number of Telugu verses: one of the greatest literary achievements in
Telugu literature. My respectful Pranamam to that Great Soul.
Equally
great is Shriman Chilakapati Vijaya Raghavacharyulu, whose constant guidance
and propelling encouragement enabled me not only to attempt reading the epic
Shrimad Ramayanam but also to retell it in multiple ways: first in detailed
colloquial Telugu across six Kandas, then in an abridged consolidated form, and
now in this English version.
I
offer my deepest and most respectful Namaskars to this remarkable
‘encyclopaedia’ on Shrimad Ramayana, whose lifetime devotion, vast experience,
and profound scholarship have been a rare privilege to witness. His divine
mastery over all 24000 shlokas, and his ability to articulate their eternal
wisdom with equal grace in Sanskrit, Telugu, and English, have been ever
enthralling. His reflections on my work ‘RA-MA-RXISM: A PARADIGM SHIFT’
are best read and understood ‘Between the Lines.’
I
am profoundly grateful to Honourable Justice Sarasa Venkata Narayana (SVN)
Bhatti of the Supreme Court of India, who, in our very first meeting nearly a
year ago, spoke with clarity and depth on a variety of subjects: law, life,
spirituality, character, simplicity, honesty, physical fitness, and above all,
the courage to say ‘NO’ when conscience so demands, irrespective of
consequences.
The
Honourable Justice graciously agreed to my request and wrote a deeply touching
and insightful Foreword: indeed, more than a testimonial, aptly titled ‘AN
ANCIENT EPIC IN CONTEMPORARY REFLECTION.’ My heartfelt and sincere thanks
to him once again. I also extend my thanks to Senior Advocate Harkara Srinivasa
Rao for kindly facilitating this introduction and earlier introducing me to
Honourable Justice Bhatti.
My
heartfelt thanks are due to Rao Tallapragada, Former
Editor-Sujanaranjani Magazine, and Former General Secretary of SiliconAndhra, a
resident in San Francisco,
California, for
thoughtfully presenting the NRI (Non-Resident Indian) perspective, offering
meaningful guidance for reflective and balanced living in the present era,
especially abroad, in his piece titled ‘Bridging Time and Space.’
I
am equally thankful to my son Aditya Krishna Roy, who has been a keen and
perceptive observer of my writings, both from near and far. His uniquely styled
introduction titled ‘The Hermeneutics of Reconciliation on the Ontological
Synthesis of the Vedic and the Dialectical’ begins with the powerful line: ‘To
introduce this volume is to engage with a text that functions less as a
conventional translation and more as a dense, late-career intervention into the
fractured intellectual history of the Indian subcontinent.’
This
book would not have been possible without the dedicated technical and creative
support of those who carefully shaped its physical and aesthetic form. I
gratefully acknowledge Sri Brahmam for page making and design, Sri Ramoju
Ganesh for his thoughtful and symbolic cover design, MIHIRA KRIYATIVES for
publishing, Karshak Art Printers for their meticulous printing, and Anvikshki
founder Venkat
Siddareddy for obtaining the ISBN.
I also wish to acknowledge with deep affection, my family
members: wife Vijayalaxmi, elder daughter Prema, son-in-law Vijay,
younger daughter Kinnera, son-in-law Kishan, son Aditya, daughter-in-law Parul;
and our extended family, grandchildren Yashwin, Mihira-her husband Yagnic,
Ansh, Medha, Kanak and Irah, for their constant encouragement, patience,
understanding and
unwavering belief in my purpose during the long and demanding process of
completing this work. Their love and support have truly been my greatest
strength.
My respectful and advance thanks to the prospective readers across the globe, who may choose to engage with this work and reflect upon its intent. This book is offered not merely as a retelling, but as a sincere and faithful effort to present the timeless wisdom of the Ramayana in a form accessible to contemporary minds, while retaining its spiritual depth. If, in some measure, it serves as a bridge between tradition and modern thought, between languages, generations, and lived experiences, and encourages even a moment of reflection on Dharma, life, and human values, I shall consider my effort meaningfully fulfilled.
(As
I did for my earlier books this Book is also free of cost for all those who are
interested to read the English version of Ramayana. Only request is to collect
it from me in person preferably)
Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
Hyderabad, April,
2026
8008137012
