Why do snakes have a forked tongue?
How did Sitaphal (custard apple) get its name?
Why don’t squirrels get hurt even after falling from the heights?
Stolen Hope is the third book in the series and follows The Game of Life: Shattered Dreams and gives you answers to such simple yet intriguing facts. Shattered Dreams captured that part of the Ramayana where King Dasaratha gives Rama 14 years of exile and reserves the Ayodhya throne for Bharata due to a promise made to Keikeyi. Stolen Hope is a thirteen-year account of Rama’s exile along with Sita and Laxmana who accompanied him on the arduous mission.
Rama, Sita and Laxman are supposed to spend fourteen years in exile. However, they do not perceive this as a punishment. The regret of not being able to enjoy real life does not cross their minds. Instead, they await the company of august sages and the teachings that will come to them during these fruitful years. The glory of the Trio precedes them and they are welcome wherever they go. The inhabitants of Dandakaranya, Janasthana and Panchavati not only shower their love and blessings on them, but also guide them on their journey forward. All living beings around them are grateful and obliged to be able to serve the mighty and benevolent Rama. Rama also religiously follows his vow to eliminate the Rakshsas who torment naive sages and defenseless humans. After spending thirteen long years in different forest habitats, the Trio were eager to return to Ayodhya and meet Bharata and the rest of the family. They decide to spend their last year of exile in the beautiful forest of Panchvati. However, the otherwise serene lives of these three ad-hoc ascetics change when Ravana kidnaps Sita and leaves Rama and Laxmana wondering about her whereabouts.
Having read the first books in the series, I found it convenient to order the pieces. However, even if you have not read books 1 and 2 of the series, you will not feel lost for two reasons: first, almost everyone, at least in India, we know the basic plot of the Ramayana and second, the author has given a summary of the two previous books at the beginning. The format of this book is similar to the previous one. The simple words and the alignment of major incidents as short, understandable stories is what makes this series stand out. I particularly like the footnotes on each page that highlight the importance of the millennial classic for our daily lives. The Ramayana, it goes without saying, is full of wise teachings, but its application in practical life is lost in understanding. Shubha Vilas closes that gap for us.
The captivating cover also deserves a mention here. Stolen Hope captures the thirteen years of exile in 300 odd-numbered pages that can be read in 3 days at most 4. And I certainly look forward to Ramayana Book # 4 – The Game of Life.
My rating: 4 out of 5