Sita , livre ebook

BHANUMATHI NARASIMHAN

SITA
A Tale of Ancient Love
PENGUIN BOOKS

PENGUIN BOOKS
Contents
Prologue
1 A Garden in the Mind
2 Daughter of the Earth
3 Fragrant Memories
4 Sunny Days and Starry Nights
5 An Ethereal Bond
6 Infinity in a Seed
7 A Silent Answer
8 Playing the Heartstrings
9 When Oceans Meet
10 Waves of Emotions
11 Touch of Life
12 A Cosmic Connection
13 Eternal Moments in the River of Time
14 The Shiva Principle
15 Absolute Comfort
16 Devotion like a Diamond
17 The Hand of Maya
18 The Winds of Change
19 The March of Truth
20 Fleeting Clouds, Clear Skies
21 Scene of Contentment
22 The Forest of Fulfilment
23 Beyond Stories
24 The Sacred Secret
25 Depth of the Consciousness
Illustrations
Epilogue
Back Stories
Insights from the Author
References
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Follow Penguin
Copyright
EBURY PRESS
SITA: A TALE OF ANCIENT LOVE
Bhanumathi Narasimhan is the younger sister of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. She shares his vision of a stress-free, violence-free planet. She is a meditation teacher. Bhanumathi leads the women welfare and childcare initiatives at Art of Living, which now supports 723 schools with over 72,000 underprivileged children. An author of bestselling books, which have been translated into twenty-two world languages, she holds a master s degree in Sanskrit literature from Bangalore University. She is a singer and has also created soulful albums of sacred chants and melodious bhajans. She lives in Bangalore and connects with her readers on Instagram, @bhanu_narasimhan.
Advance Praise for the Book
The story of Bhanu-ji s Sita flows with the effortless grace of a perfectly harmonious melody and touches the heart while creating reverence in the mind. Goddess Sita is the epitome of sacrifice and renunciation. She took the test of fire to prove her kindness and forgiveness. This book depicts love, longing and a purity of godliness like the perfect notes of a song! -Asha Bhosle, singer
In Bhanu-ji s Sita , we see a refreshing phenomenon of Sita s mind that wakes you up with the sharpness of lighting and the gentleness of a flower petal all at once. A closeness that speaks to you as one -Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, film-maker and writer
I feel honoured to review this wonderful piece of art. Since I was a child, I have heard and read the holy Ramayana several times but the way Bhanu-ji has narrated the epic is a real eye-opener. She brings to life the infinite paradigms of love -Chandni Joshi, gender, rights and policy specialist, Nepal
Sita by Bhanumathi Narasimhan is a gripping narrative of one of the most inspirational characters. We often view the Ramayana era from a twenty-first-century perspective. But here is a brilliant depiction of Sita, the quintessential Indian feminine spirit, that gives you a real-time feel of a different era. It is written in a language that is easy to read and comprehend. A wonderful and educative read -Dr Devi Shetty, chairman and executive director, Narayana Health
The writing is soul-touching, gentle and healing. It is almost magical how all the characters came alive in front of me. It brought back memories of when I played Sita. A book to be read and kept. A splendid piece of art written by Bhanu-ji -Dipika Chiklia Topiwala, former member of Lok Sabha, and actor who played the role of Sita in Ramanand Sagar s Ramayan
This is a spirited and enduring Sita who is calmly recollecting her transformation at various stages of her life. She is the queen who teaches us how to live life no matter how difficult the situation gets -Farheen Ahmad, journalist, Bahrain
Sita by Bhanu Didi took me to the early days of my dance choreography where I portrayed the young Sita in Pushpvatika. Emotions of love and attachment were sparked by this performance. Bhanu Didi has captured these emotions very well. Bhanu Didi s exposure in Gurudev s ashram, a haven of spirituality, and her lifelong association with Gurudev make her eminently suitable to describe such tender emotions in her brilliant book. It need be hardly emphasized that such tender anecdotes seldom occupy a prime place in the Ramayana and Bhanu Didi has filled this gap admirably -Hema Malini, member of Lok Sabha, actor, director, dancer
Romance, drama, the human mind, spiritual values and nature s beauty-the interplay of these five elements is seamless in the narration, which remains true to the historic representation -Dr D.K. Hari and Dr D.K. Hema Hari, founders, Bharat Gyan
Sita s deep connection with nature, with people around her is so personal yet makes one feel a sense of expansion, of being part of something universal. Her commitment to her love and to staying positive is truly remarkable and empowering. Bhanu-ji has brought out the subtle strength that every woman possesses through her narration of Sita -Katrina Kaif, actor
Bhanu-ji s Sita shows you that strength doesn t lie in just armies and weapons, nor sheer physical prowess. Strength lies in a mind that is unfazed by adversity, unblemished by negativity, ever pure and reflecting the perfection inherent in creation -Kiran Bedi, former lieutenant governor of Puducherry
Bhanu Didi s Sita: A Tale of Ancient Love , is a divine account of less-touched-upon aspects of Sita s life. Through this tale, Didi takes you on an ethereal ride that will make you feel a part of the surreal, exquisite world of ancient times, where Rama and Sita fell in love. It is a tale of love, longing and sacrifice that will instil a sense of calmness -Meenakshi Lekhi, minister of external affairs, Government of India
In the Ramayana, Sita s love and respect for Shri Rama, and her sacrifice and suffering because of her abduction by Ravana, show the entire gamut of human emotion in a relationship between husband and wife. But when the husband is the king and bound by duty to the people, the relationship becomes very complex. In this book, the author explains the relationship from Sita s side. A very sensitive and insightful interpretation -T.V. Mohandas Pai, chairman, Manipal Global Education
Sita s divine radiance lit up the darkest of forests and even Ravana s Ashoka Vatika while she was kept captive there. Her infinite love for Rama was her compass to live life with grace even in the most testing times. Bhanu Didi s narrative of Sita will empower every woman to realize that as nurturers women are intrinsically blessed with a wellspring of courage that emerges whenever life puts forth a test. Therefore, one must never let any trial or tribulation shake the belief that we have about our courage or conviction -Preetha Reddy, executive vice chairperson, Apollo Hospitals
A refreshing new perspective of the Ramayana from the point of view of Sita. Sensitively written, the narration makes the ancient epic accessible to modern audiences with a distinctly feminine point of view while underscoring the essence of Indic gender values -Shashi Shekhar V., CEO, Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan)
Sita by Bhanumathi-ji has shown us the way to understand and experience Lord Rama who embodies the supreme consciousness through Mother Sita s love in a simple and potent way. Great truths are explained in a language we understand. Jai Sita Ram! -Sri Shanmuga Shivachariar
Annalum nokkinaan, avalum nokkinaal . This legendary verse from Kamba Ramayanam comes to life in this book that so beautifully describes the landmark moment when the two pairs of eyes-of the lord and Sita-meet to etch a story of love and compassion forever! Bhanumathi-ji takes us through the journey of Sita, her outlook and acceptance with grace in each of the situations she is put into. The kaleidoscopic outlay is so absorbing that one feels transported to the very place, and the heart follows every step of Sita in anticipation of her next move! The freshness of this narrative once again communicates that our epics will continue to engage and inspire over centuries to come! -Sudha Raghunathan, Carnatic singer
Sita by Bhanumathi-ji is deeply stirring and weaves an intricate tapestry of sensitivity with strength and wisdom as the story unfolds -Sushmita Sen, actor
Sita by Bhanumathi-ji has achieved what very few books can. It has taken a centuries-old tale and told it again so well that it seems new . . . Fresh, lyrical, poetic, philosophical and deeply beautiful, this is a book that will stay like a fragrance long after it is returned to the shelf. Evocative, deeply emotional and moving, you will feel each turmoil and triumph that the characters go through -Yatindra Mishra, poet, royal family of Ayodhya
This book on Sita is a recognition of the honourable role of women. In the Balinese tradition and culture, women are very highly respected. May this inspiring book enhance the realization of gender equality -Anak Agung Ngurah Oka Ratmadi, Cok Rat , former head of the Bali House of Representatives, Indonesia
This book is a retelling of mythological stories, some of which have origins in religious texts. The views and opinions expressed in the book are those of the author only and do not reflect or represent the views and opinions held by any other person. This book is based on a variety of sources including published materials, stories from religious texts as well as stories that have been passed on from generation to generation orally. This book reflects the author s own understanding and conception of such stories, and the stories are presented in a simplified form, in a manner accessible to readers. The objective of this book is not to hurt any sentiments or be biased in favour of or against any particular person, region, caste, society, gender, creed, nation or religion.
Love is not an emotion. It is your very existence. -Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Prologue
Time stood still,
The soul danced,
As they locked eyes with each other;
One glance spoke volumes
Carrying the thread of past, present and future
An electric moment
An exc