Debra: Murali, welcome and thank
you so much for agreeing to this interview.
Could we begin with a little information about yourself: where you live, your family and hobbies?
Murali: Hi, Debra. I thank you very
much for having me. I am from India and live in the south Indian city of
Hyderabad. I come from a rural background with my father being a farmer
tilling about five acres of land and my mother a home maker. I have five
siblings, two brothers and three sisters. My wife of 40 years, Udaya Sundari,
worked as a teacher for some time but is a home maker now. We have two sons
with four grandsons and one granddaughter.
My sons live in the USA. I am an
Industrial Engineer with a post graduate diploma in computers, a diploma in electrical
engineering and hold an MBA. I was
awarded the Fellowship of the Indian Institution of Industrial Engineering. I
worked in professional organizations for about 30 years, starting in 1970, and
have been a freelance consultant since 2001.
My hobbies have been reading and
writing. I was a voracious reader and try to write my ideas and publish them
wherever I can.
Debra: Murali, I have noticed on
Amazon that you are quite a prolific writer with a number of books
available. What is your favorite genre?
Murali: I have been writing articles
since 1978. I was on the editorial committee of a house magazine at my
workplace between 1979 and 1988. I wrote many articles in that magazine and
specialized in conducting and drafting interviews with the top management
executives of that time. I began writing books in 2007.
My genre is
non-fiction. I wrote five books (one of them with a co-author Tom Cagley) on
software development, drawing upon my personal experience, study and
observation. Then I wrote a book on personality engineering in collaboration
with Ronda Bowen.
I am not into fiction. My idea in writing is to record the experience
and knowledge I gained in my life, and make it available for those that may be
looking for this kind of knowledge.
Debra: Your latest work is the
translation of Raamayana. For those of us not familiar with this
ancient work, could you tell us a little about it, its origins, original
author, and its purpose?
Murali: Raamayana is an ancient epic of India, describing the life of Raama
who lived 880,154 (as of 2014) years ago. It is perceived as a religious book
of Hindus. But it is not so. However, it gives a description of the righteous
way of living which is practiced by Hindus. It is also believed that Raama was
an avatar of Vishnu who is perceived as a God by Hindus. The book was originally
authored in the language of Sanskrit and it comprised of 24,000 Slokaas.
A
Sloka is like a poem, usually having four or two lines and follows a grammar of
its own. The whole book was authored as a compilation of songs. It details the
way of life in ancient India and Sri Lanka. One interesting aspect is that it records
existence of aero planes and describes air travel in some detail that is
credible. It is believed that devoted recitation of this epic would cleanse the
person from all of his/her past sins, as well as those of past four generations
and the next two generations. But, I must admit that most Hindus do not read
the original. Perhaps they might have read an abridged version but not the original.
It is also believed that one must be virtuous to be given the opportunity to
read the full original text. It was authored by a saint by the name of Vaalmiki
who was referred to as Maha Rushi Vaalmiki. Maha Rushi roughly means “a great
researcher”.
The lore about Vaalmiki goes that he was a dacoit (in
India and Burma,
a member of
a class of
criminals who engage
in organized robbery
and murder) looting the
passengers traveling though forests. One day he was given an audience with a
divine Rushi who changed him. Then Vaalmiki became a devotee of God and
practiced virtuous deeds. The Raamayana was revealed to him by the creator. He
recorded that the whole story flashed in front of his eyes like a movie and he
recorded it truthfully. It is also believed that he was a contemporary of
Raama.
Debra: Since this translation turned out so beautifully, will you be
turning your hand toward other ancient texts – religious and otherwise?
Murali: Thank you for your kind
words. After finishing Raamayana, I
began writing a book about management for the 21st century. Once I
finish that, I am contemplating translating Bhagavadh
Geetha into English. Of course there
are many translations of it in English, but in my opinion, they did not present
the accurate version. I wish to present it as it was narrated. I wish to
translate the letter but not the spirit. Who knows what the spirit of an ancient
text was anyway?
It has about 700 Slokaas.
I also desire to translate the story
of Lord Krishna. It may surprise you, but there are some researchers in USA who
believe that Jesus Christ was none other than Lord Krishna! There are many
ancient texts In India and Maha Bhaaratha
is a very important book among them, but it is beyond me to translate it. It
has 100,000 Slokaas! I also have an idea about writing one more technical book.
I am not sure how many I can complete before my health fails. I am 63 years old
now.
Debra: Do you think today’s modern Hindu female relates to the female
images of Raamayana?
Murali: I am not sure she does. But
exceptions are always there, and a few would relate, but most may not. The
culture has changed with the times. The world moves on a one-way street; no
turning back. What is lost is lost. We cannot resurrect the past. Another pertinent
question is would the modern Hindu males relate to Raama? I have to give the
same answer. Most would not, but few may.
Debra: Do you believe that your book will make the messages within the
original text more appealing? (I do.)
Murali: Today, Sanskrit is
unfortunately less popular even in India. Most of the Indians cannot either
understand or speak Sanskrit. Today, English is the most common language in
India. So my purpose was to make it available for those people who are
proficient in English to be able to read and learn about their heritage, and
for others to do research and understand the world in ancient times. Now that
the message is in a language that is clearly understood by many, it becomes
possible for people to emulate it if they wish to. Yes, I believe it is
possible to spread the message of Raamayana
through my book.
Debra: What audience do you think your work will appeal to most?
Murali: It appeals to all Indians and
those that have an interest in other cultures and heritage. It should appeal to
researchers of ancient texts and religions.
Debra: Have you had any feedback (positive or negative) about making
this work more “reader friendly?”
Murali: I gave out the manuscript to
a few of my friends and well-wishers, including you. I requested them to give
me feedback about the book. I received very little feedback. Of course, I took
one decision when I began translating Raamayana.
That is, whenever I faced a dilemma about making it more readable or staying
true to the original, I would stay true to the original. At some places, the
description of the seasons or forests or a kitchen may not be interesting to
the average reader, but those are the places that give information to
researchers about the conditions of ancient India.
Overall, I gave precedence
to accuracy and keeping as close to the original as humanly possible over
readability, and making it a racy and “un-put-downable book.” It would not be a
book you read in one sitting. I expect the reader would put down the book many
a time before the book is finished, but I also expect the same reader to be
picking it up again and again in his/her life.
Debra: I agree with you completely. I find myself reading just so much, absorbing
it, thinking about it and then returning to it to read more. It is a lot to take in, especially for
someone from a different culture. What
would you like to see someone like me, a daughter of Northern European Ancestors,
for instance, glean from your work?
Murali: I read the book Exorcist by William Peter Blatty sometime
in 1978/79. In the first iteration, I found it rather slow paced and loaded
with more information than story. When I hit the last page, I immediately went
back to the first page! I read it four times before I stopped.
I believe Raamayana is like that. When I read the
complete book the first time, I already knew the major milestones in it as well
as the ending. Still, it held my interest. When I finally froze the translation,
I had read my book eight times. I was not bored! I suggest that you read it any
way in the first iteration. When you read it a second time, contemplate about a
few things given in the book. In Baala Kaanda there are a few chapters about
the advent of the river Ganga on earth.
There are theories and theories about
why sea water is saline. There is no really satisfactory explanation about it.
Some researchers believe that a watery astral body collided against earth and
dumped saline water on earth. In fact, there is now a satellite to planet
Jupiter, Europa, which is full of ice. Could these chapters be describing that
event?
In another chapter, Raama asks Bharatha some 30 questions about his
rule. Contemplate about those questions. I will give just one more topic and
stop. In the last book, Yuddha Kaanda,
after killing Raavana, Raama abandons Seetha after grieving so much for her,
mounting an impossible expedition and killing Raavana with a great effort. Contemplate
as to why he did that.
There are umpteen aspects in Raamayana. You mine and you gain it. Ancestry does not make a
difference. Bharatha at one place in the second book, Ayodhya Kaanda, states that wife beaters go to hell. Until a rule
was promulgated under Queen Victoria in England prohibiting wife beating
between 6 PM and 6 AM, wife beating was widely prevalent in Europe. If I am not
mistaken, the rule is still in place.
Debra: I’m assuming that you felt translating this book was a “mission”
for lack of a better word, so it’s clear that you had drive – but was the task
difficult for you?
Murali: Debra, never, even in my wildest
dreams did I ever imagine that I would be translating Raamayana into English. I am not a great scholar of Sanskrit or
English. I am so-so in both the languages. It was not the objective of my life.
Even after I began the work, I was not sure that I could complete it. I took it
as an order from the God. Was the task difficult for me? No, it was impossible
for me. I did not have the capability to accomplish this task. I did not write
this book. I do not have any illusions about it. It was written by the Divine using
my hand.
Debra: Do you have a target audience?
Mural: I like to target the audience
of all Indians irrespective of their religious affiliation. See, Alexander,
Plato, Socrates, Homer, and Julius Caesar were not Christians, but all people
of European descent, wherever they may be presently living, would look up to
them as their heritage. Similarly, for all people of Indian descent,
irrespective of their religion, Raama and Raamayana
are their heritage.
Was Raama a Hindu? No, obviously not! In fact it may come
as a surprise to you, the word “Hindu” is not from Sanskrit! It originated in
the ancient Persia to denote people living on the eastern side of the river
Sindhu (presently called Sind and it is in present day Pakistan).
Then there
are many researchers all over the world in the universities carrying research
on things ancient. I would like to make this authentic translation available to
them. If you happen to see the program,
Ancient Aliens on History Channel, you would see ancient India being referred to
many times. I know none of the PhDs coming on that program ever read Raamayana. It would bolster their
arguments, and of course every adult who is interested in gaining knowledge, as
Raamayana is a storehouse of wisdom
and knowledge.
Debra: Have you considered adding more artwork? It is so compelling.
Murali: Yes, I did. I know the
pictures that I included in the book are not really an accurate depiction compared
to the description given inside the text. Raama did not look as shown in the
pictures. But these pictures are popular in India. One inaccuracy in the
pictures I like to point out. Raama had a mustache if not a beard. It was
mentioned in Raamayana itself. One
handicap I faced was that I am not an artist to render the picture of Raama and
others as described in the text. And I do not have the resources to pay artists
to draw pictures conforming to the description given in the text. I would have
loved to give accurate pictures of the cities of Ayodhya and Lanka, the
pictures of Raama and others as well as that of Raavana and his family members.
Debra: Why should we read Raamayana
and how does it concern me?
Murali: Why do we read books at all?
One reason is we need entertainment to pass time usefully and learn something
in the process. There are entertainers in romance, drama, action, and
thrillers. This book is not in that category.
Second
reason is, we read to learn a skill to get through exams and eke out a living
for ourselves and our family members. There are text books and technical books
in this category. I wrote a few in this genre. Raamayana is not this type of book.
Then
we read books to learn about history and heritage. Raamayana comes under this category. It covers the history of some
portion of this planet in an ancient time. If you wish to learn that history
and heritage, then this book is a candidate for you.
We
also read the biographies of people, real life heroes and heroines, to learn
and emulate those qualities that made them great. This book also comes under
this category. Raama was a hero in his own right and Seetha was a heroin in her
own right. There is much to learn from those two individuals, and the way they
conducted their lives in adversity, and still stayed true to their beliefs. For
all those that are looking for great people to emulate, this book certainly is
a candidate.
We
also read our books to learn to live a righteous and meaningful life. All our
religious texts come under this category. Unfortunately most religions
denigrate all others to safeguard their own flock, but the people are
recognizing that there is good in all religions and places. Academic research
has contributed much toward this change in outlook. India has many books in
this category. Three Indian epics stand out in this set and they are Raamayana, Maha Bhaaratha and Bhaagavatha.
Raamayana is the present book. All
those who are interested in righteous living, and other interpretations of
righteousness besides their own, should read this book.
What
happens after death is as yet unknown, and the research in that direction could
not make much headway. Some believe in rebirth and some do not. They both are
just beliefs. No one knows the truth. This book also says, just like the other
religious books, that it grants cleansing from sin and salvation. Those looking
for salvation also may read this book.
I
read this book originally to learn about my heritage, but I found in it some
profound truths and management aspects applicable even in today’s
organizations. I felt that I could have benefited a great deal if I read it
when I was much younger. I strongly feel that if this book is read in the youth
of life, the person would be very successful in all aspects of his/her life. I
hope I answered your question. If I left out any aspect, I would be glad to
clarify further.
Debra: Murali, that was a great explanation. Thank
you. You read Raamayana, obviously. What
is your personal experience? Could you associate any special event with reading
this book?
Murali: It may sound unbelievable but
it did help me. Recently, in October 2013, someone visited a police station
with a few people in tow to lodge a formal complaint against me and my family.
Had police took that complaint, I would have been in jail now, counting the
bars. I strongly believe that I was protected by the God as a result of reading
this book with sincere devotion. Second, Raamayana
is perceived as a Hindu book and I was thinking of self-publishing it. But as
it happened, I got a professional royalty paying publisher, that too in USA, to
publish the book! I consider it a miracle.
Debra: Murali, thank you very much. This interview with you, in and of itself has
been very enlightening and I feel honored to have been allowed to conduct it.
At this point,
I open the blog up to anyone who has a question. Everyone should feel free to ask.
Murali: Thank you very much Debra. I
can be contacted on my email: murali@chemuturi.com and I promise to respond to every email I received.
