Books on Valmiki Ramayana

Here’s a categorized list of Ramayana books (in English), for different age groups, from young children to serious readers:

For Young Children (Ages 4-9)

1. Illustrated Ramayana for Children (Classic Tales From India) by Shubha Vilas - An easy-to-read version with beautiful illustrations.

2. Amma, Tell Me About Ramayana by Bhakti Mathur: A beautifully illustrated poem summarizing the epic for children.

3. Ramayana for Kids by Rita Gandhi: A shortened version with eye-catching illustrations, perfect for introducing young children to Indian epic.

For Older Children and Teenagers (Ages 10-16)

1. Ramayana: An Illustrated Retelling by Arshia Sattar: A captivating retelling with vibrant illustrations, suitable for older children and young adults

2. Amar Chitra Katha’s Ramayana: A classic comic-book style presentation, great for visual learners.

3. The Adventures of Rama - With illustrations from a 16th-century Mughal manuscript by Milo Cleveland Beach: Tells the story through detailed illustrations with brief supporting text

4. Ramayana: The Game of Life by Shubha Vilas: A multi-volume series that brings out life lessons from the epic.

For Adults (General Readers)

1. Valmiki’s Ramayana (translated by Arshia Sattar): A classic translation of the original Sanskrit epic.

2. Ramayana by C. Rajagopalachari:  A classic and highly readable version with deep insights.

For Serious Readers & Scholars

1. Valmiki's Ramayana (translated by Bibek Debroy): A detailed, unabridged English translation of the original Sanskrit text.

2. Valmiki Ramayana - A Commentary by Lakkaraju Ananta Rama Rao: This three-volume work provides in-depth insights into characters, events, and philosophical underpinnings of the Ramayana

Remember, the Ramayana is not just a story, but also teaches important life lessons such as the triumph of good over evil, respect for family, keeping promises, and the power of devotion and dedication. When introducing the epic to children, it's advisable to focus on positive aspects and age-appropriate content, gradually exposing them to more complex themes as they grow older