The Litmus Test: A short FAQ based on Śrīmad Vālmīki Rāmāyaņa
कार्तिकमासः, शुक्लपक्षः , द्वितीयातिथिः, २०८३ विक्रमसंवत्सरः, ९ नोव्हेंबर २०२६ , सोमवासरः Why does it matter? Every time there is a movie, series, post or article on the Rāmāyana, there is a frenzied debate with people engaging from all sides. But the simple question is, why not read the original and judge for yourself? Reading what Maharshi Vālmīki says, is the litmus test, simply because, of the hundreds (if not thousands) of versions of this story of Shrī Rāma, the oldest and the only historical account -- Itihās -- is the one written by Maharshi Vālmīki. This a contemporary account which not only brings clarity but also enriches the reader in so many ways! So the next time any claim is made in any medium about Śrī Rāma, Devī Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa, Rāvaṇa or anyone else in the Rāmāyaņa, we can quickly test that claim using the litmus of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaņa and see for ourselves what the truth is. No third party needed! And if that reason alone is not eno...