BOOK REVIEW OF Ramayana: Stand Strong
By- SUBHA VILAS
· Paperback: 316 pages
· Publisher: Jaico Publishing House; 1 edition (30 September 2017)
· Language: English
· ISBN-10: 9386348926
· ISBN-13: 978-9386348920
THE STORY AT A GLANCE-
The Ramayana is not a story. It’s a way of life. It’s the game of life.
Life is a constant reminder that nothing, however powerful in one season, remains unchanging. The endless cycles of change can truly us if we are unprepared to face its realities. However, we often see these changing times as problems larger than they really are. Many issues in life when perceived with Fear result in pain; but when perceived with CLARITY, result is FREEDOM.
Situations of helplessness are almost always created by our own limited imagination.
Do you have the courage to face your fears?
Stand Strong, the fourth book in Ramayana: The Game of Life series reminds us through its eternal stories — such as the tale of brothers Vali and Sugriva — that life is like a high-risk treasure hunt: one often has to walk through a maze of confusing paths while being chased by dangerously complex dilemmas to find the hidden treasure of wisdom.
BOOK REVIEW-
The author has beautifully penned down history with the deep inner meanings wrapped within them. The plot adapted from “The Kishkindha Kanda” of the original Ramayana written by Valmiki, tells us that our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as Ram did. We were born to make manifest the glory of Ramayana that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
The plot also tries to portray life from a very different perspective. I really loved the elements of positivity which the plot demonstrated. It’s important that what thoughts you are feeding into your mind because your thoughts create your belief and experiences. You have positive thoughts and you have negative ones too. Nurture your mind with positive thoughts: kindness, empathy, compassion, peace, love, joy, humility, generosity, etc. The more you feed your mind with positive thoughts, the more you can attract great things into your life.
I would admit one thing which I had learnt after reading the book “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
RATINGS-
Overall I would like to rate the book 42 on a scale of 50.
4 stars out of 5
1. Originality of the plot and sub pots- 9/10
2. Net emotions in the story- 8.5/10
3. Usage of words and phrases-7.5/10
4. The title, cover and the illustration-9/10
5. The net impact on the readers- 8/10
