Originally posted by _Vrish_
I've read parts of it. Usually, when I pick up a Ramayan, I go to the various parts that often differ in account, such as Lakshman being downed by the Shakti, Parashuram's role during/after Rama's marriage, the events following Dasharath's demise and some others. That helps me determine whether the authors in question are really reproducing Valmiki, or taking even more liberties w/ the epic, and then casting it as their own.
Ramesh Menon seemed to do the latter - I particularly noticed that in his treatment of the story of what Rama did after Sita went to Pataal Lok.
For the original Valmiki, you can find it in this website
http://valmikiramayan.net/
Unfortunately, it doesn't include the Uttarkand, so one has to mine other places for that.
Yeah, Ramesh Menon did take a lot of liberaties in the story...he also added the one about Sita really being Mandodari's daughter, and Mandodari having given her up to get revenge on Ravan for remarrying so many times.😕 Not only does that undermine Mandodari's noble character, but it also destroys the concept of Sita being Ayonija, one not born of the womb.
I forgot the end...what exactly did Ram do after Sita went to Paatal Lok?