A Resplendent Icon of all Arts This is an exemplary book which elevated the status of Indian Literary Criticism to the peaks of the world literature. Shodasi is a name associated with a great hymn. The title suggests that it’s a book on spiritual discourse. A reading of this book suggests that the spirit of scientific temper is critical to comprehend Valmiki’s Srimad Ramayana. Besides this, command on Vedic or Scriptural knowledge is essential. What does a layman has to say when a towering personality like Viswanatha Satyanarayana himself extolled the critical acumen and serious scholarship of Seshendra Sharma. Sharma has made it crystal clear that unless one has an apparent understanding of the plot’s context, psyche of the characters, and the milieu of the bygone days supplemented by extraordinary scholarship, sound knowledge of phonetics and awareness on contemporary issues; one cannot easily comprehend the poetic diction of Valmiki. The debate on the phrase “Netraturaha” is a fitting example. The uniqueness of the title, Sundara kanda, Kundalini Yoga, Gayatri Mantra secretly hidden in Trijata’s dream sequence, considering The Bharatha as an image of The Ramayana.... this book is a repository of many such critical discourses. It is replete with inconceivable and unfathomable issues. This magnum opus is an invaluable gift to the Telugu literature. - VIPULA, Viswa Katha Vedika: May 2014 (An exclusive Telugu Monthly Magazine for stories) * * * Valmiki Ramayana – Greatest Medicine for Mankind The story of Ramayana is prescribed as textbook for students. Sita and Rama are worshiped as prime couple. No need to mention about reciting it. Whether Valmiki was satisfied with simple narration of the story? Seshendra Sharma denies it. He analyzed it mentioning that to understand the inner meanings of Valmiki Ramayana, the scientific knowledge is essential. The underlying secret of the sage’s mind will be known through the knowledge of science. It is the firm opinion of Seshendra that the argument that “the sciences are for scholars only” is a conspiracy hatched by Selfish scholars and lazy uneducated persons. Seshendra who has democratic ideology and conviction on science and literature informs the public about the secrets of Ramayana expounded by Valmiki. He explains that Valmiki dedicated ambrosia (The Greatest Medicine) named “Kundalini Yoga” to the mankind. The poetry in the metre of Anushtup Sloka is the honey coating to the medicine. It was explained with great introspection and exemplary scholarship. He concludes that the Ramayana is older than the Maha Bharatha and it is another form of Veda. Valmiki introduced the system of meditation in Ramayana. The Introspection and research bent of mind of Seshendra are spread over in the book in two streams. The exuberant fragrance of scholarship is experienced throughout the book. The present generation can understand the scholarship of Seshendra in Vedas and Mantra Sastra. Seshendra is a poet who

1. There are several versions of the Sri Ramayana,
one of the two greatest epics. Following Sri
Valmiki Ramayana several editions have been
published in various languages, besides
scores of commentaries written across
centuries. Late. Gunturu Seshendra Sharma,
scholar poet of 20th Century unearthed secrets
of the Ramayana through his popular Telugu
book “Shodasi”.
The novelty of nomenclature Shodasi, called Sri
Vidya is reflected, in the 16th Chapter. Sharma's
intellectual depth comes forth in analyzing
Sundara Kanda specially through Kundalini
Yoga. The author highlights hidden truth in
Valmiki's thought that is similar to Vedas and
says that Trijata's dream in Sundara Kanda
reflects Gayatri Mantra of 32 Syllabi in 4 lines.
Sharma pays rich encomiums in the description
of Lanka surrounded by three impregnable
borders. He compares these three borders with
Trikuta viz... Shakti, Kaamaraaja, Vagbhava
Kutas with those of Sri Vidya in Kundalini. A
staunch believer of Vedas, the author feels that
Ramayana is a replica of Vedas and oriented
towards the character of Indra. He concludes
that in Ramayana the mentioning of the supreme
God is Indra and not Vishnu, as the presiding deity
of valour in Vedas. Utterances of the word
Vishnu were considered to be imaginary
overstatements in the author's view.
This book lends a new perspective to the
Ramayana by adding the dimension of
Kundalini Yoga.
The foreword by Vishwanatha Satyanarayana
adds credibility to the book. The current work
is an English translation of the original by
Gurujada Suryanarayana Murthy, a scientist by
profession. His proficiency in the subject is
evident in the translation throughout that
doesn't swerve from the original's purport.
- S. VARADARAJAN
The Hindu (Friday Review: 2nd October 2015)
RAMAYANA, a replica of Vedas
SHODASI
:
Secrets
of
the
Ramayana
Seshendra
Sharma

2. Donated by: Y. Venkateswara Rao, Chairman, Rythu Nestham Foundation, Hyderabad & Guntur
Editor - Rythu Nestham Monthly Magazines
Donated by: Y. Venkateswara Rao, Chairman, Rythu Nestham Foundation, Hyderabad & Guntur
Editor - Rythu Nestham Monthly Magazines