Reading is my hobby and I have a good collection of some valuable books. I also read magazines. I borrow books from friends and libraries as well. I have enjoyed reading many kinds of books, but the Ramayana of Valmiki is my favourite book. The original Ramayana is in Sanskrit. I have a Hindi translation. It was presented to me by my father on my 10th birthday with some other gifts. Since then I have read the book many times over.

Every time I read Ramayana, I find a new meaning. Really it is a gold mine in morals and practical wisdom. It is an epic poem and deals with the life of Rama and Sita. Rama is the prince of Ayodhya. His charater, conduct and work inspire millions and millions of people in India and abroad. He is ideal son, prince, brother, husband, friend, king and ruler. He is exceptionally brave, gentle, attractive and friendly to all. His mission is to help the weak, the poor and the humble. He punishes the wicked and evil persons like Ravana, Kummbhkarna, Meghanad and others. His victory over Ravana symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

The famous festival Dussehra is celebrated in the memory of Rama?s Victory over Ravana, the demon King of Lanka. Ravana had abducted Sita and refused to return her. Rama tried his best or make Ravana see reason. But evil ? minded Ravana was too proud to understand reason. Therefore, war became necessity and Ravana was defeated and killed with his while tribe.

Rama befriended with such humble and forest beings as monkeys, bears and Vultures. He also forged friendship with low caste people like fishermen, boatmen and tribals. He protected the rishis, hermits and ascetics from the tyranny of Rakshasas. Mahtma Gandhi was so much influenced by the Ramayana that he wanted to have Rama ? rajya in India. Rama, as a king, was famous for his high sense of justice and equality. Perfect peace and harmony prevailed in his kingdom. People were honest, truthful and religious by nature. They were all, men and women of high and strong character and morals.

Personally, Ramayana has somany lessons to teach me. It teaches me to be brave, humble, honest, thankful and a lad of strong moral character. In inspires me to have a strong sense of duty and fair play. It teaches me how to be respectful towards parents, teachers and elders. Bharat and Lakshman are ideal brothers, Sugriva and ideal Indian woman, on ideal to be followed by each and every woman. Our politicians and political leaders should take lesions from the life of Raja Rama and serve the country in the true spirit of service and devotion.

The Ramayana is masterpiece of literature. The story is of eternal interest and the narration fascinating. The epic is popular all over the world. It has been translated in all the principal languages of the world.

Many of the evils of our present day life can be removed by the study of this epic. It offers solutions to so many of our problems. It is an epic not only of the Hindus, but of the entire humanity. It has influenced me deeply. I treat it a s my best friend. I remember the story and its incident by heart. Really, it is my favourite book.