Adhyatma Ramayana

Adhyatma Ramayana is a version of Lord Rama's story from the Advaita Vedanta perspective.

What is the difference between Adhyatma Ramayana and Valmiki Ramayana?

Valmiki Ramayana narrates Rama’s story from the Purushottama (perfect man) angle. 

Valmiki describes Rama as someone who never deviated from dharma. In Adhyatma Ramayana, Rama is an incarnation of Parabrahma, Seetha of Prakriti, and Laksmana of Adishesha. 

The incidents in their life have been depicted as just a leela (divine play). 

Even abduction of Seetha by Ravana has been described as illusory.

Valmiki Ramayana teaches you how to live a perfect life as a  man. Adhyatma Ramayana shows you the path to moksha through devotion in Sri Rama.

Who wrote Adhyatma Ramayana?

Traditionally, Veda Vyasa is considered to be the author of Adhyatma Ramayana. 

Some scholars also attribute its authorship to Ramanadacharya.

How many kandas are there in Adhyatma Ramayana?

Adhyatma Ramayana consists of seven kandas - Bala, Ayodhya, Aranya, Kishkindha, Sundara, Yuddha, and Uttara. 

Altogether, there are 4242 shlokas.

There is also a Mahatmya chapter of 60 verses which is from Brahmanda Purana.

Presentation of Adhyatma Ramayana

Adhyatma Ramayana is presented as a conversation between Shiva and Parvathy.

Who wrote Adhyatma Ramayana in Malayalam?

Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu in Malayalam was written by Tunchattu Ramanujan Ezhuttachhan.

Is Adhyatma Ramayana authentic?

According Sri Karpatri Swamiji, an authority in Ramayana and author of Ramayana Meemasa, Adhyatma Ramayana is authentic. He considers two more versions of Ramayana as authentic - Valmiki Ramayana, and Ananda Ramayana.