Would King Dasharatha have had his desired sons if his daughter Shanta had not been sacrificed? Was Manthara a malicious, conniving handmaiden to the queen, or a loving mother trying to protect her ward from palace intrigue? How did Meenakshi transform from the beautiful eye into the embodiment of ugliness and immoral lust? What role do the women play in an epic that revolves around the life of a righteous prince? As bestselling author Anand Neelakantan peels back the layers of Valmiki’s timeless story, these tales of ambition, love, devotion, and courage shine through, inviting readers to look at the women anew. Lovers, sisters, wives, and mothers who hold together a complex epic—these are the women of Valmiki’s Ramayana. Language: English