Poorv Pithika (Ram-Ravan Katha Book 1) Quotes

“Every person has his own thinking, every culture has its philosophy. We have no right to thrust our thinking or philosophy on the other person. Likewise others too do not have any right to force their thinking or philosophy on us.”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, The Forefathers

“Always remember, in politics no one other than self can be trusted fully.”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, The Forefathers

“Courageous people do not repent upon the past, rather think of the future. They try to improve the lost circumstances in their favour.”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, The Forefathers

“The mind is something strange. It is like a weird kite, whose string is very difficult to hold. Once you stretch it in the sky, it keeps on flying beyond your control. If you try to pull the string back, then often it snaps the string and flies off. …And if someone lets the string go?”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, The Forefathers

“The more attachment you have fear will scare you more. The more prudent you are, your prudence will be hit harder.”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, The Forefathers

“After Suketu's demise, Sund and Tadka inherited that region. Their sons were Mareech and Subahu.”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, The Forefathers

“Maharishi Kashyap and Devi Aditi's powerful sons were named Devas. They were thirty three in all. Twelve Aditya = Indra, Vidhata, Ayarma, Mitr, Varun, Vivsvan, Poosha, Parjany, Anshuman, Bhag, Tvashta, Vishnu. Eleven Rudra = Anand, Vigya, Manas, Pran, Vak, Atman, Ishan, Tatpurush, Aghor, Vamdev, Sadyojat. Eight Vasu = Dhara, Dhruv, Som, Ap, Anal, Anil, Pratyush and Prabhas. And two, Ashvini Kumars or Nasatya.”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, The Forefathers

“Recluse people are always willing to give up things and expect their near and dear ones to follow suit.”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, The Forefathers

“The first attempt to write Ravan's story, instead of Ram's story was perhaps made by Acharya Chatursen in his 'Vayam Rakshamah'. This work is significant, because in the entire history, for the first time all the episodes of Ram's story were depicted from the point of view of Ravan. Tulsi tried to make it popular among the masses by writing a devotional story, while Acharya Chatursen used his knowledge and eruditeness. Over a period of time Madan Mohan Sharma 'Shahi' in his book 'Lankeshwar' attempted the same thing. In this series Anand Neelkanthan made an appreciable attempt. His 'Asura :Tale of the Vanquished' portrays Ravan with facts and logic. Apart from these three, I have not come across any work that portrays Ram's story from Ravan's view point.”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, The Forefathers

“वाल्मीकि के बाद की रामकथाओं में संभवत: सर्वाधिक प्राचीन और प्रसिद्ध भी, महर्षि कंबन की तमिल रामकथा है। रामकथा में परिष्कार का प्रयास भी यहीं से आरंभ हो गया। कंबन ने अपनी कथा में कई परिवर्तन किये किन्तु मेरी समझ में उनमें सबसे महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तन रावण के चरित्र में है। कंबन का रावण अत्यंत उदात्त चरित्र है। उसकी प्रजा उससे प्यार करती है। कंबन से तुलसी तक आते-आते रावण विद्वान तो रह गया किन्तु उसके व्यक्तित्व के उदात्त गुणों का ह्रास होता चला गया। तुलसी के राम वाल्मीकि के राम की तरह मानव नहीं रहे, वे विराट् ब्रह्म का अवतार हो गये। वे मात्र कथा के नायक नहीं तुलसी के आराध्य भी हैं। स्वाभाविक है कि आराध्य के चरित्र का चित्रण भक्त भक्तिभाव से ही करेगा। ऐसे में नायक के चरित्र को उठाने के लिये खलनायक के चरित्र को गिराना अपरिहार्य हो जाता है। वही हुआ भी। तुलसी के राम मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम के रूप में स्थापित हुए। इस्लाम के वर्चस्व से आक्रांत हिन्दुत्व ने तुलसी के राम में अपना उद्धारक खोजने का प्रयास किया और मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम राम भारत के जन-जन के आराध्य बन गये।”
― Sulabh Agnihotri, Poorv Pithika (Ram-Ravan Katha Book 1)