Reading Notes: Ramayana Reading B

Rama's exile to the forest got all the people and animals in the kingdom very upset. They were mad at Kaikeyi and were willing to kill themselves in order to not be ruled by anyone else or go with Rama. Lakshmana was very angry about the exile. This shows the loyalty he has to Rama and creates a deeper level to his character. He swore to kill anyone who got in the way of Rama becoming king. Rama calms him, but blames himself for not thinking of the consequences of accepting the crown so eagerly. Rama eventually comes to the conclusion that his exile and Bharatha becoming king is the doing of a higher power and he can not disobey. The relationship between these 2 brothers shows a strong bond between not just bloodlines but also family ties. Lakshmana says he has "no meaning in my existence... unless I establish you on throne...". Quotes like this strength the readers' understanding of loyalty and brotherhood. Along with the higher power, Rama believe that Kaikeyi deserves to inherit the kingdom for how she saved Dasaratha. AS Rama prepared to leave, Lakshmana and Sita demand to go with him. Sita says it will be like she is "living death" without him. This shows the true love between them. People followed them as they rode a chariot out towards the river. Over night, they escaped the watchful eye of the crowds and went further into the forest. Upon hearing that Rama was not coming back, Dasaratha died of shock.

(Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in exile in the forest; Source: Flickr)

Bharatha has been summoned through messages to return to Ayodhya. He had no idea about any of the recent occurrences and upon entering the kingdom, he noticed something was off. Kaikeyi, his mother, told him all that had happened and Bharatha instantly looked for Rama for grief. This shows that Rama is a staple in the family as he is very trustworthy and sought out by all his brothers, mothers, and father. Bharatha was furious with his mother, but would not kill her because he knew Rama would not approve. As requested, Bharatha started to perform his father's funeral but could not finish and went into grief for 5 days. He was determined to find Rama and bring him back to rule the kingdom. Rama was very gracious with Bharatha and very sad about his father. After much debate, they decided that Bharatha would rule on behalf of Rama for 14 years in Nandigram. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana moved further into the forest where they met Jatayu, a great bird, who was friends with Dasaratha. He promised he would protect them in the forest journeys.

Shurpanakha, Ravana's sister, runs into the group in the forest and causes trouble. Rama's purpose of incarnation was to destroy Ravana. Shurpanakha claims she hates sin and cruelty and prizes virtue and goodness. She has an instant obsession with Rama and wants to marry him. There were many objections that Rama gives her like their different classes as to reasons why they could not wed. Shurpanakha was very jealous of Sita, for both her looks and relationship with Rama. She plans to get rid of Sita but Lakshmana spots her and cuts off her ears, nose, and breasts. Lakshmana was protecting his family which will be a strong theme throughout this story. Shurpanakha pleads to Rama much more but eventually Rama rejects her and she is mad about it and goes to get Kara. Kara wants to kill Rama and Lakshmana but in the end, Rama defeats Kara and all his men.

(Shurpanakha trying to seduce Rama; Source: Wikimedia)

Shurpanakha goes to her brother to tell him all that's happened. He wants to get Sita with Ravana so she can have Rama. Ravana gets Maricha to join him, who is the son of Thataka. Maricha disguises himself as a deer to ultimately capture Sita. Rama goes to capture the deer which turns into Sita mistaking that Rama is in danger. She sends Lakshmana to help Rama, leaving herself vulnerable to everyone.

Bibliography: Narayan, R.K. The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic. Penguin Books, 2006.