The Ramayana has never been a tale of Ram's life. It is the story of how he lived for others. By retelling his tale, storytellers hope to inspire themselves and others to live as Ram did.' The Ramayana we are familiar with today is an interesting mix of countless versions—through cultures, traditions, and texts—presented through various mediums—film, television, and scriptures. The most popular, however, is Valmiki's Ramayana, which is believed to be the original story that inspired the many versions that followed. But who narrated the story to Valmiki? Where did it originate? It is believed that hearing Ram's tale brings hope even in the darkest of times. With Who Inspired Valmiki?, Devdutt Pattanaik explores as only he can, the various versions and interpretations of the epic that exist across cultures and countries.