Book Review: ‘Sita and Ravana: The Last Battle’ by Preetha Rajah Kannan

Book Title: Sita and Ravana: The Last Battle
Author: Preetha Rajah Kannan
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House
Number of Pages: 272
ISBN: 978-9348098313
Date Published: Jun. 10, 2025
Price: INR 404

Book Review

“Sita and Ravana: The Last Battle” by Preetha Rajah Kannan is a classic retelling of the Adbhut Ramayana, authored by VālmīkiMaharṣi himself, with a lesser known yet fascinating composition. Slightly deviating from the classic Ramayana, this tale centres more on Māa Sita and her glories, emphasizing the mysterious, extraordinary, and spiritual dimensions of the epic story. Beyond the Niryāṇa of Dashānana (the demon Ravana), through this narrative, Preetha Kannan focuses on his elder brother Sahasranana (the thousand-headed demon) and his downfall and Samhāra (संहार) at the hands of Māa Sita in the form of महाकाली (Mahākālī), following the mortally wounded episode of Rama Chandra Prabhu.

As a reader of Preetha’s previous books, this one also clearly showcases her fabulous cinematic storytelling ability. I could literally experience a cinematic screenplay unfolding throughout this book. Although this isn’t my first reading of the Adbhut Ramayana, I sincerely appreciate her skill in recapitulating the story. The free-flowing narration is something I always adore in her writings. Her adherence to the underlying Sanātana Dharma, blended with modern feminism, gave me a sense of a standout read from start to finish. Māa Sita’s transformation into Adi Shakti, evolving from a symbol of sacrifice, is portrayed with deep reverence and veneration, honouring scriptural nuances.

Setting aside my prior knowledge of both the Classical and Adbhut Ramayana, and approaching with a clean state of mind, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book titled as ‘Last Battle’. I strongly believe that VālmīkiMaharṣi’s conscious depiction of Māa Sita in the laukika (लौकिक) context—as pliant, helpless, and obedient of the Classical Ramayana—is a pathway to re-establish her as the MahākālīSvarūpa in the Adbhut Ramayana, which Preetha beautifully echoed in her writing of this excellent folklore. Preetha’s profound and lucid language makes this retelling accessible to younger readers and those less familiar with Hindu texts, helping them become enthralled by our age-old epic.

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For those who seek a story that both respects and renews ancient heritage, this book offers a deeply satisfying read, while those craving mythic action and cosmic drama will be equally thrilled. This book is beyond mere mythological adventure—it is an incarnation of Māa Sita as the Shakti (शक्ति) Swaroopa. Beyond justifying its title, Preetha efficiently retells the complete Adbhut Ramayana, beautifully amalgamating Jnana (ज्ञान), Bhakti (भक्ति), and Vairagya (वैराग्य). For me, one missing element was the inclusion of a few notable shlokas in Devanagari/Saṃskṛta (at least one or two per chapter), as epitomized in “Ajai Kumar Chhawchharia’s” Adbhuta Rāmāyaṇa, which the author referred to in presenting this book.

“Sita and Ravana: The Last Battle” is a mesmerizing and soul-stirring journey of Māa Sita as Mahākālī, leading to the annihilation of Sahasranana, beautifully blended with a fabulous and neatly crafted presentation.

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