The Ramayana is not just a story. For millions of readers, it is a moral universe — one that explores duty, sacrifice, love, power, and the consequences of choice. Growing up with this epic, I was always fascinated not just by its events, but by its emotional depth and philosophical questions.
When I began working on Cosmic Ramayana, my goal was never to modernize the epic for the sake of novelty. Instead, I wanted to ask a simple question:
What if the eternal conflict between dharma and adharma unfolded not just on Earth, but across the vast canvas of the cosmos?
Why science fiction?
Science fiction has always been a powerful tool for exploring big ideas. It allows writers to stretch time, space, and imagination — while still asking deeply human questions. Concepts like advanced civilizations, interstellar travel, and cosmic technology felt like a natural extension of the grand scale already present in the Ramayana.
Kingdoms became galaxies. Battles became wars across star systems. Weapons transformed into advanced technologies — but the emotional core remained unchanged.
Staying emotionally faithful to the epic
One of my biggest concerns while writing Cosmic Ramayana was respect. The Ramayana is sacred to many, and any reinterpretation must be handled with care.
While the setting is futuristic, the characters remain emotionally familiar. Rama’s sense of duty, Sita’s strength and resilience, Hanuman’s devotion, and Ravana’s ambition are all rooted firmly in the original epic.
Technology may change, but human nature does not. This belief guided every creative choice I made while writing the book.
Why retell ancient stories at all?
Every generation finds its own way to connect with timeless stories. For some readers, traditional tellings are enough. For others — especially younger readers raised on science fiction and fantasy — a new setting can act as a bridge.
If Cosmic Ramayana encourages even one reader to explore the original epic with curiosity and respect, then it has served its purpose.
Stories survive because they adapt — not by losing their soul, but by finding new voices and new worlds in which to speak.