This critical essay is written by the well-known bilingual poet, linguist and scholar A. K. Ramanujan. This essay also carries a subtitle “Five examples and three thoughts on translation”. It is an established fact that the two great epics “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata” have far reaching influence over all of the Indian subcontinent and South – East Asia. During the last two centuries, its appeal has become global. The date of Rama’s birth, the date of Rama’s battle against Ravana and the date of writing of Ramayana by sage Valmiki and the Uttara Ramayana as an added appendage at a later date, all have become topics of unresolved debate.
A. K. Ramanujan gives one version of Ramayana in the beginning of the essay, which deals with the deaths of Lakshmana and Rama. Lord Rama was sitting on his throne and his ring fell through a crevice in the ground and reached the nether world. His trusted Lieutenant Hanuman was sent to fetch the ring as he could reduce his body to the size of an atom. In the absence of Hanuman, Brahma and noted sage Vasistha came to parley with king Rama. Lakshmana was asked to stand guard at the door and not allow anyone to disturb the confidential talks.
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