Stories of the Ramayana - Prof. Dr. P.J. Joseph

Prof. P. J. Joseph, the author of this book Stories of the Ramayana' has become immortal by writing a concise book of the epic 'Ramayana'. A brilliant condensation of one of world's luminous book, 24.000 verses in seven books and 500 cantos composed by Sage Valmiki during 5th to 4th Century B.C. This extraordinary work of Valmiki has been rendered in other language like Tamil, Marathi and Hindi and several other languages. But there has never been such a brief rendering as Prof. Joseph has achieved. I regard his book as brief but without omitting the great teachings of one of world's marvelous epics. Prof. Joseph has lucidly crystalised a Himalayan epic in a few simple chapters without missing the meaning, the moral and the excellence of Valmiki. Such a performance postulates great learning on the part of the author and a genius of abbreviation not easily possible without a creative capacity. It is this grand work of Valmiki which has been presented to the students of India in about hundred pages of lucid English. No measure of tribute will be adequate to do justice to Prof. P.J Joseph. I do not propose to praise because it is beyond verbal praise. He is a master of literary lucidity. Prof. P.J Joseph's book must find a place in every library in Kerala and must be read by every young student, man and woman because Ramayana is an instruction for young and old and it is a positive contribution to the wisdom of the world. Ramayana is not merely knowledge but the quintessence of wisdom. Read Prof. Joseph and reading maketh a full man.