Dr. Shakuntala Gawde presented a scholarly paper titled “Different Editions of Valmiki Ramayana” at a conference organized by Valmiki Ashrama, Webolim, Bangalore, on 4 April 2026. In her presentation, she examined the various editions and recensions of the Valmiki Ramayana, highlighting the diversity within its textual tradition.
She discussed the perspectives of different scholars on the Southern, Northern, and Western recensions, emphasizing how these traditions reflect distinct transmission histories. Dr. Gawde also analyzed the significance of textual variations across these recensions.
To illustrate her points, she drew on specific case studies, including the First Shloka, the Paduka episode, the Crow episode, the Amorous episode, and the Indra-Payasa episode, comparing their treatment in different editions and recensions. She concluded by reflecting on the possible reasons behind these variations, offering insights into the dynamic and evolving nature of the epic’s textual tradition.
