Replying to [jo8chinaetyahoocom]:Dear jo8,
I am a prolific reader.I used to travel all over India by train in late 1970s and 1980s, and carried these books as my companion.
I have read
Ramayana, by Balimki three times
Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas 4 times
Mahabharata by Veda Vyas two times
Meghdoot by Kalidas Almost twice as Holy Bible by volume- 2 times
Discovery of India by J L Nehru , three times
Besides, I have read many books more than once , having volume equal to Holy Bible

Second on above list, I have read as Religious ritual.

Proof? I can cite excerpts from these books which will come as religious shock, because it is against what is commonly practised by us, Hindus, as religion .

Just for example, Mr. J L Nehru, First Prime Minister of India, has used one excerpt from Ramayana by Balmiki, in his book, Discovery Of India, as follows:-

Ravana suggested to Rama," You can offer meat of ............., Golden Deer......... to Brahmins(Priests) as food to appease departed soul of your father, Dashratha.( Shradh ceremony for departed soul)

Some readers may have seen this on TV serial, BHARAT, EK KHOJ on Door Darshan Channel

Nowadays, Hindu priests are totally vegetarians

Sixer