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As did most of us, I grew up on a staple diet of stories from the Ramayana. I listened in open-mouthed wonder and blind devotion to tales of shape-changing demons, flying chariots, dark curses and conquering gods. With the years came the usual questions: How could Rama shoot Vali from hiding? How could Rama doubt Sita? I soon put aside the stories as a part of our treasured heritage and went on with my life.
Then came my son. Vaanan fell in love with the story of Hanuman and insisted that I read it to him as his bedtime story for weeks on end. The Ramayana came alive for me once more through his trusting eyes. My son hero-worshipped Hanuman’s courage and strength. At the age of two-and-a-half, he could narrate the story in perfect detail—from Anjani and Kesari to the Rishyamukha Mountains and Kishkindha. Vaanan moved on to the likes of He-man and Spiderman. And life went on. But the Ramayana was only biding its time. It was waiting for me around the bend in a new avatar—the Adbhut Ramayana. True to its name, this version is incredible. Here, Valmiki silences those of us who questioned his earlier treatment of Sita. Here, Sita is no docile, head-bowed-down, helpless wife. Sita is the embodiment of womanhood as raw energy. She is shakti in all its glory. For me, the Ramayana was finally complete. Dear readers, I hope this book will add a new dimension to your appreciation of our timeless epic. As always, I hope you will pass on the stories to your children and grandchildren. Happy reading to you all! 
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