Just as we cherish the great love stories of Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde, Helen and Paris, the Hindus cherish the wonderful story of Rama and Sita. The Ramayana (which means the adventures of Rama) has grown out of the ancient lore of the primitive tribes of India and has become a part of the Hindu sacred scriptures, just as the stories in the Old Testament are sacred for Jews and Christians. To the Hindus, the story of Rama is the story of their god, Vishnu the Preserver, who came in the mortal form of Prince Rama to save mankind from evil, embodied by the Ruler of the Giants, King Ravan.

Now Joseph Gaer, whose deep wisdom about the religions of other peoples, other lands, has already produced such remarkable books as How the Great Religions Began, Holidays Around the World, and Young Heroes of the Living Religions, has distilled for American readers the rare essence of this great Hindu epic. His achievement is best summed up in the words of a renowned Indian scholar, Dr. M. O. Thomas:

"I have of course read Ramayana before; but I have never read anything like this. As I was reading, I forgot for a few moments at least the materialism of the world that surrounds me and with which I am also spoiled, and found myself transported to ancient India .. . The author deserves great credit for this superb production."

From the dust jacket