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The dazzling and amazing rays emitted from the radiant diamond light of wisdom Srimad Valmiki Ramayana reveal the right, clear and glorious path to the wearied, confused and ignorant and innocent travelers in life. No other book of world classic literature has inspired the molded the millions and billions of lives and the thinking of people world over, as Ramayana did. It has inspired and continues to inspire the creative Endeavour of several eminent artists of excellence, poets, Vaggeyakaras, Singers, dancers, artists, actors, directors and play-wrights and has been preserved in various forms of art. Ramayana has been held in esteem and has been enjoying tremendous popularity and has been translated not only in various world languages such as Italian, French, English, Latin and other languages but also in almost all the Indian languages. The influence of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana being so unique and pervading, it is no wonder that there are literally thousands of editions of this great work published in many languages. Ever since it was composed by Maharishi Valmiki, it was, it is and it will continuously be a living force in the inner depths of Indian consciousness. Srimad Valmiki Ramayana, the glorious epic of great antiquity, containing the magnificent and compassionate story of a virtuous, noble and ideal human couple, the embodiments of purity, truth and Dharma, in thought, word and deed. Ramayana is an epitome of Vedas and Upanishads. It sheds light on the science of life and the art of living with great and eternal values. It stresses the moral sovereignty. The humane poet, Maharishi Valmiki skillfully woven the story of the couple with his blissful beauty of poetic grace and excellence. Though written thousands of years back, it is relevant even today and will be relevant even after thousands of years to come. It has loomed large for centuries over the destinies of billions of people and it continues to do so for centuries to come. I am one to believe, every human being however highly educated one is and how ever great position or profession one is holding, irrespective of one’s citizenship, caste, creed, religion, - his /her life is not full, without reading Ramayana, as it is for learning the values of life. Ramayana is not a religious book. It is a book of universal appeal and values eternal. Having enjoyed and experienced the unique and exquisite taste and flavor of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana, I could not resist my temptation to share my ecstasy and bliss with the like-minded people, by writing the book in my own humble way. I started writing this tiny book titled "Srimad Valmiki Ramayana - At a Glance", knowing pretty well it is an adventurous and challenging task like that of a cat trying to drink the entire milky ocean; and like that of a chirping bird trying to swallow the entire water flowing in the sacred river Gang! I did not write this as a poet. I did not write this as a scholar. I wrote this to share my bliss with people, especially the youth and busy persons. I wrote it for my satisfaction. I wrote it in a simple and lucid style of English, enabling even a common person to study, understand and enjoy. I wrote it with devotion. I wrote it praying Lord Sri Rama to make use of me as his dependable instrument. I began writing this with a profound belief that the great Rama dote Hanuman, who made the amazing legendary leap across the vast ocean, a simple feat, would extend the most needed support, competence and assistance to me, necessary to complete this sacred task. The imaginary paintings I have drawn not as a professional artist but as an armature. I did not study in any school of Art. Experience and observation has been my teacher. I developed painting as a hobby and I am still a learner. This book is meant for the youth in India and those residing in other countries and for the busiest of the busy persons especially youth, for whom leisure appears scarce. As the youth now-a-days are obsessed with curriculum books attending marathon classes and special coaching classes, as their mind set is tuned to face the growing competition in achieving their cherished goals. They may complete reading this book for a change, while in travel, within a short time. This small book may be read easily by the youth and even the busiest of the busy persons who find no time to go through the voluminous original books on Ramayana. This certainly provides a fair view of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana. Keeping such readers in mind, I wrote this small book giving as many details as possible. I stressed the story and the prime characters without sacrificing any material that is sacredly significant. Every care is taken to bring the essence of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana and made it readable, enjoyable and gently discussable. If this small book stimulates, my targeted readers and motivates them to go through the original! translated books on Ramayana in all detail, I earnestly feel, my effort in writing this book, is amply rewarded I write this as my duty to express my love and reverence for the sacred story of Ramayana that helped me navigate through my own life, in thick and thin. In all humility and earnestness, I wish my targeted readers would read this book with interest and enjoy to the lees, seeing the paintings. Keeping the limitations of time, space, age, (beyond meridian), health (suffering from Cardiac Problem and Parkinson’s disease and other aging problems), yet younger in spirits with all enthusiasm and zeal, to provide as many details as possible, I wrote this book and to present the best in me in a fixed capsule of time. Under any circumstances fail not to see and enjoy the paintings and also the rare detailed facts given in Appendices. Glory to the blessed immortal poet Maharishi Valmiki; Glory to Srimad Ramayana the most sacred and inspiring epic in the world ! Glory to Sri Rama ! Glory to Devi Site ! Glory to the great Ramadoota Hanuman ! Glory to all the other sublime characters of this epic. May their choicest blesingss be showered upon all of us.