Vrinda Sheth - Destroyer of Sorrow: An Illustrated Series Based on the Ramayana

PRAISE FOR DESTROYER OF SORROW

Vrinda Sheths writing is brilliant. Destroyer of Sorrow is magnificent, riveting, and heart-wrenching. I really dont have words to express my appreciation. Reading it did something to my heart that maybe Ill be able to explain someday.

JAI UTTAL, Grammy-nominated sacred-music composer, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, and ecstatic vocalist

Ive read several versions of the Ramayana over the decades, but I have never read anything like this. What Vrinda Sheth has done with this adaptation is incredible. She writes with the pace of a thriller and the sensitivity of a poet. Its a combination that illuminates this classic with an extraordinary new light.

MUKUNDA MICHAEL DEWIL, director, Vehicle 19 and Retribution

PRAISE FOR QUEEN OF THE ELEMENTS

The author adeptly fleshes these ancient mythological figures into rounded, relatable characters who feel as human as any other in contemporary YA fantasy. Sita, with her complex emotions and conflicted history, is an especially compelling personality, and Sheth gives her ample page time to tell her story in her own words. Whether readers are familiar with the Ramayanaan Indian epic that has been popular throughout South Asia and beyond for centuriesor they are discovering these characters for the first time, the novel delivers time-tested stories playing out against a distinctive fantasy world.

KIRKUS REVIEWS

My dear friend, the multitalented Vrinda Sheth, has written the best modern rendition of the Ramayana (the story of Rama and Sita), and she has written it from the perspectives of the women. This adventure-packed tale is also filled with sublime illustrations done by Vrindas mother, Anna Johansson.

SHARON GANNON, cofounder of Jivamukti Yoga, author of Yoga and Vegetarianism.

Again, in this second volume, the work is richly illustrated with Johanssons lovely, dramatic, and colorful illustrations. Especially noteworthy here are her charming renditions of natural scenes in the forest and the various fauna (and bloodthirsty monsters!) found there. Once again, lovers of the Ramayana will find much to enjoy and to debate in this lively, creative, and provocative retelling of the Rama story.

DR. ROBERT P. GOLDMAN, principal translator of The Rmyaa of Vlmki: An Epic of Ancient India

PRAISE FOR SHADOWS OF THE SUN DYNASTY

What especially stands out in this edition of the Ramayana is the celebration of the feminine voice: The female characters who would normally be overshadowed by their male counterparts are now invested with agency and power. The extraordinary positive contributions from such female personalities leaves the reader with a fresh view of this amazing tale.

GRAHAM M. SCHWEIG, PHD, professor of philosophy and religion, Christopher Newport University, Virginia; author of Bhagavad Gt: The Beloved Lords Secret Love Song

Reader, be prepared for a treat. Vrinda Sheths Ramayana is far beyond routine storytelling. Her telling is full of the kind of personal detail and insight that comes from knowing her subjects at a heart level. Rama for her is not only an archetypal herohe lives and breathes, radiating mystical power; Sita is more than tragic heroine or unearthly goddessshe is a powerful, self-aware human yet divine being. The Ramayana is a feast of emotion and grand inspiration: It calls us to experience life to the fullest, not shrinking from its tragedies or rewards, but giving ourselves fully to the whole cosmic drama. Immerse yourself in Sitas Fire, and you will find yourself doing just that.

RANCHOR PRIME, author of Ramayana: A Tale of Gods and Demons

The intrigue and mystery starts with the opening linenever have I been pulled so quickly into a book through a few simple yet tantalizing words. The art and magic unfold page after page through story and image alike. From injustice and savagery to heroism and beautiful princesses, the unique style of Vrinda Sheths writing captivates the heart and mind, drawing one deeper into the burning intricacies of Sitas Fire.

BRAJA SORENSEN, author of Lost & Found in India, Mad & Divine, and India & Beyond

What an excellent retelling of the Ramayana! If sheer artistry, imagination, storytelling technique, and descriptive writing were not enough, Vrinda Sheth accurately conveys the emotion and underlying philosophical content of the story as well. With God as my witness, I went in a skeptic and came out a believerand now I can hardly wait for future volumes in the series.

STEVEN J. ROSEN, editor in chief, Journal of Vaishnava Studies; associate editor, Back to Godhead; author of Holy War: Violence and the Bhagavad Gita, The Hidden Glory of India, and Black Lotus: The Spiritual Journey of an Urban Mystic

Shadows of the Sun Dynasty, by Vrinda Sheth, is rich with deep insights into the motives and emotions of the entire cast, which makes for an unforgettable entrance into the political intrigue and web of emotions in the kingdom of Ayodhya. For those who enjoy an unforgettable story, you have in your hands a unique book that will pull you in from start to finish. Annas exquisite illustrations further enhance the story. I expect this beautiful book to enthrall the present generation, leaving its indelible mark in their minds and hearts, as other versions of the Ramayana have for countless generations.

KOSA ELY, author of The Peaceable Forest and The Prince and the Polestar

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This book was made possible by a grant from Bhaktiland, a nonprofit supporting the expansion of quality bhakti art.

www.bhaktiland.com

Text copyright 2021 Vrinda Sheth

Illustrations copyright 2021 Anna Johansson

All rights reserved.

Published by Mandala Publishing, San Rafael, California, in 2021. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.

ISBN: 978-1-64722-147-8

ISBN: 978-1-64722-444-8 (Ebook)

Publisher: Raoul Goff

VP of Creative: Chrissy Kwasnik

VP of Manufacturing: Alix Nicholaeff

Associate Publisher: Mariah Bear

Managing Editor: Lauren LePera

Project Editor: Phillip Jones

Senior Production Manager: Greg Steffen

Cover and Book Design: Eight Eyes, www.eighteyes.com