Understanding Raavan: A Journey Through Power, Pain & Possibility – A Book Review of 'Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta'

Cover of "Raavan - Enemy of Aryavarta," the third book in Amish Tripathi's Ram Chandra Series, featuring a dramatic depiction of Raavan standing authoritatively on a turbulent sea. The Photograph of this Book has been taken from Google Playbook

Understanding Raavan: A Journey Through Power, Pain & Possibility – A Book Review of 'Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta'

I recently read "Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta" by Amish Tripathi. This book, the third installment in the Ram Chandra Series, proved to be an engaging and thought-provoking experience. What resonated with me most was how the story intertwines themes of violence, love, hatred and above all, the profound bond between brothers, especially Raavan and Kumbhakarna. Their relationship brings emotional depth to an otherwise intense narrative.

The book also explores Raavan’s love for Vedavati, a woman from Todee Village and the wife of Prithvi. Through this relationship, we see a softer, more vulnerable side of Raavan. One of the interesting creative liberties taken by the author is portraying both Raavan and Kumbhakarna as Nagas. The story traces Raavan’s journey from his early struggles and hardships to his eventual rise as one of the wealthiest and most powerful kings of his time. It paints a vivid picture of the world as imagined in that era.

What stood out to me was the contrast between the two brothers. Kumbhakarna is shown as someone with compassion and moral grounding, while Raavan appears largely driven by anger and ruthlessness. He is portrayed as someone who rarely shows mercy, except in the case of Vedavati, whom he loves deeply. However, this version of the story does not strictly follow traditional mythology, even though it uses familiar characters from the Ramayana.

This naturally raises the question—who is Ravan? According to mythology, Ravan was the ten-headed king of the Rakshasas and is one of the main character of the epic Ramayana. His abduction of Sita and his eventual defeat by Lord Rama form the central narrative of the epic, symbolizing the eternal battle between good and evil.

Yet, Ravan is not always seen in a purely negative light. Many interpretations acknowledge his vast knowledge and his devotion to Lord Shiva. This duality often leads to debates about whether he was purely evil or a complex character with both light and darkness within him.

Despite these views, Valmiki’s Ramayana depicts Raavan as a strong yet immoral leader who acts beyond the limits of dharma. Interestingly, his character is represented differently in various Ramayana versions. For instance, the Tamil Kamba Ramayanam offers a more nuanced and occasionally sympathetic portrayal of Ravan, highlighting evolving cultural and devotional influences over time.

One striking difference lies in the episode of Sita’s abduction. In Valmiki’s version, Ravan physically lifts Sita, whereas in Kamban’s version, he avoids touching her due to fear of a curse and instead lifts the entire hermitage along with her. Such variations highlight how interpretations evolve across regions and eras.

Coming back to Amish Tripathi’s narrative, it is important to understand that this is not a direct retelling of mythology. In my view, it is a fictional reimagining that borrows characters and settings but tells its own story. The language is simple and accessible, making it easy to follow and quite engaging.

I felt that Raavan is portrayed here as an angry and conflicted individual whose transformation is influenced significantly by Kumbhakarna. There is also a moment where his interactions with Vedavati seem to bring about a positive change in him. However, after her tragic death, Raavan reverts to his darker self, perhaps even more intensely than before.

The book is crafted in a dramatic and captivating way, keeping the reader engrossed while presenting a fresh perspective on a familiar character. I personally thought it was an good read.

If I were to rate 'RAAVAN - ENEMY OF ARYAVARTA', written by Amish, I would give it 8 out of 10.

Please note: These are my personal thoughts based on reading this book. Your views, facts and opinions may differ. Feel free to comment if you believe any facts in this article should be reconsidered or re-examined. We all are humans and we can make mistakes.

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Thanks and regards,

Mainak Majumdar

Book Critic

Email: mainakmajumdar.dasgupta@rediffmail.com & majumdar@majumdarbookreviews.asia