The most ancient Sanskrit epic poem, estimated to have been composed by sage Valmiki about 5000 B.C, the Ramayana describes the life of Sri Rama. The epic is a storehouse of spiritual wisdom and has helped to shape the ideals and character of the Indian people since antiquity. The present work is a beautifully condensed retelling of the Ramayana in simple English.
Pray all the time, read all the scriptures in the world, and worship all the gods there are ...[but] unless you realize the Self (atman), there is no freedom.
-Swami Vivekananda