Adhyātmarāmāyaṇa-āraṇyakāṇḍa

Adhyātmarāmāyaṇa āraṇyakāṇḍa is the 3rd adhyāya (chapter) of the medieval retelling of the epic Rāmāyaṇa written in the perspective of Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. This version of the epic inforces the concept of Rāma being an Adhyātma a universal incarnate being. The text is present in dialogue form between supreme deities Śiva (as Maheśa) and Pārvatī (as Umā). In the Āraṇyakāṇḍa Rāma is away in the forest and Sītā is abducted by the demon Rāvaṇa. However in this version of the story there is a twist. Rāvaṇa kidnaps an illusory Sītā, while the real Sītā was hidden. The text is traditionally ascribed to the author Vyāsa. The text is also present in the Brahmāṇdapurāṇa.This Ms. is written in 7–8 lines per folio. Back page contains title. Mistakes are covered with yellow or blacked out. Some corrections and additions in the margins. Significant syllables and words rubbed with orange powder for highlighting. The Ms. is dated in (f.42b).