संवाद # 61: Ami Ganatra on real tales of Valmiki Ramayan Vs Ramanand Sagar's, busts popular myths

Ami Ganatra is an alumna of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). A management professional, she is also a devout yoga practitioner, a certified yoga instructor, and a student of Sanskrit and Indian knowledge systems.

In her latest book, 'Ramayana Unravelled: Lesser Known Facets of Rishi Valmiki’s Epic', Ami attempts to address some key concerns: How did his childhood and youth shape Rama? Why did Rama agree to go on vanvas – was it only to obey his father or was there more to it? How was the relationship of Rama and Seeta? Is the Ramayana inherently misogynist, considering the characterisation of Seeta, Shurpanakha, Kaikeyi and Tara? What led to the downfall of Ravan? and more.

Her earlier book 'Mahabharata Unravelled: Lesser-Known Facets of a Well-Known History' brought to light fascinating details and aspects of the people and events in the great epic not commonly known and answered some often-asked questions and clarified prevalent myths.

0:00 Shri Ram Vs Shri Krishna
3:56 Shri Krishna isn’t about breaking rules
7:03 Shri Ram’s first lesson in Dharma
13:12 Biggest Dharma of a King
16:12 Why Ami Ji chose Valmiki’s Ramayan and not Tulsidas’ Ramcharitamanas
22:33 Ahalya - Ram episode: Very different in TV and Valmiki Ramayan
26:47 No Sita Swayamvar in Valmiki Ramayan
30:46 Real conversation between Kaikeyi and Manthara
35:03 How Shri Ram justified his father’s ‘wrong’ orders
42:43 Sita Ji’s real character in Valmiki Ramayan
48:51 Love between Ram and Sita सहधर्मचारिनी
50:35 Meat in Ramayan & Mahabharata
54:22 No Lakshaman Rekha in Valmiki Ramayan
59:53 Ramayan was not a racial war
1:04:39 Ravan didn’t abduct Sita because Surapanakha’s nose was cut
1:07:13 First meeting of Shri Ram & Hanuman Ji
1:15:18 Why Shri Ram killed Vali by deceit?
1:20:50 Real story of construction of Ram Setu
1:23:23 Why Sita Ji refused to go with Hanuman Ji
1:27:03 Ravan and Sita Ji: Consent and Curse
1:31:18 How Ravan got his name & its meaning
1:34:18 Vibhishan: Traitor Or Dharma follower?
1:38:11 Is Uttara Kanda authentic?
1:45:01 Understanding circumstances behind Ram-Sita separation
1:52:57 Story of Agnipariksha in Valmiki Ramayan
1:57:41 Maryada, Rajdharma, Nyaay