The Ramayana

Unit -1

The Ramayana

Q. Write a short note on life and works of Valmiki.

Ans. Valmiki is celebrated as the harbinger-poet in Sanskrit literature.The epic Ramayanam deted variously from 5th dentury BCE to first century' BCE is attributed to him, based on the attribution in the text itself. He was the first poet' who invented Sholka, Which set the base and defined the form to Sanskrit poetry.

The Uttara Kanda tells the story ofValmiki's early 1 ife, as a highway robber named Ratnakar, who used to rob people after killing them. Once, the robber tried to rob the divine sage Narada for the benefit ? This family. Narada asked him if his family would share the sin he as incurring due to the robbery. The robber replied positively, but ‘ • arada told him to confirm this with his family. Tire robber asked his family, but none agreed to bear the burden of sin. Dejected, the robber finally understood the truth of life and asked for Narada's forgiveness. Xarada taught the robber the mantra for salvation. But, the mantra in ; _esfi ?rt the name of'Lord Rama', was not to be given to murderers arc -re ike. Narada thus told Valmiki to chant "Mara" the phonetic arcgnam of "Rama" instead to circumvent this restriction. The robber —ediiated for many years, so much so that ant-hills grew around his

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body. Finally, a divine voice decleared. his penance successful, bestowing him with the name "Valmiki:. "one bom out of ant-hills." (Valmikam in Sanskrit means Ant-hill)

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The Ramayana, originally written by Valmiki, consists of 23,OC shlokas and 7 cantos (Kandas) including the Uttara Kande Ramayana is composed of about 480.002 words, being a quater < the length of the full text of the Mahabharata. The Ramayana tell the story of a prince, Rama of Ayodhya, whose wife Sita is abducts by the demon-king (Rakshasa) of Lanka, Ravana. The Valmi Ramayana is deted variously from 500 BC to 100 BC, or aboi co-eval with early versions of the Mahabharata. As with man traditional epics, it has gone through a process of interpolations ai: redactions making it impossible to date accurately.

Valmiki is also quoter to be the contemporary of Rama. Ra met Valmiki during his period of exile and interacted with him. Valrr gaveshelterto Sita in his hermitage when Rama banished her. Ki and Lava the twin sons of Sri Rama were bom to Sita in this hennit Valmiki taught Ramayana to Kusha and Lava, who later sang : divine story in Ayodhya during the Asvamedha Yagya congregati c to the pleasure of the audience, whereupon. King Rama questior who they were and later visited Valmiki's hermitage to confirm if t Sita. the two children claimed as their mother was in fact his wife exile. Later, he summoned them to his royal palace. Kusha and 1 sang the story of Rama there, and Rama confirmed that whatever 1 been sung by these two children was entirely true.

How can hapless Queen Kaikeyigreet this deed of darkn done,

When the favoured Queen Kausalya wins the empire her son?

Expl: These lines have been taken from The Ramayana.: two part-IV. In these lines the intrigue is focused. Dasharatha.

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king of Ayodhya, had three wives and four sons. Rama was the eldest and his mother was Kaushalya. Bharata was the son of his second and favorite wife, Kaikeyi. The other two were twins, Lakshmana and Shatrughna from his third wife Sumitra. While Rama is all set for coronation, his step-mother, Dasharatha’s second wife, Kaikeyi, wants her son, Bharata, to become king. Before the aged king could hand over his crown to his eldest son Rama, Dasaratha is destined to die. And instead of being crowned king of Ayodhya, Rama is sent into exile in the forest for fourteen year by an intrigue in the palace and a quirk of fate.

These are the significant lines occur in The Ramayana. Ihe crisis in relationship has been focused in these lines. The role of step mother and her relationship to Ram has been highlighted here. Kaikeyi love for her son, Bharata has been displayed brilliantly. These lines affect on the theme of the great epic.

These lines are simple but emotional.

Faithful to the wise and learned, truthful in his deed and word,

Rama dearly loved his people and his people loved their lord!

Expl: These lines have been taken from Ramayana Book two part-I. In these brilliant lines the post and position of Ram have 'een described. Ram was loved and admired by all. He was known ix his words and deeds. He loved his people most. His popularity nd greatness have been explored very graphically in these lines, kam was a holy figure and a great warrior.

The birth of Ram is believed to free the earth from the cruelty arc sins of the demon King Ravana (Ravan). Ravana had practiced severities in order to propitiate Shiva and Brahma, who had granted - ' immunity from being killed by gods, gandharvas or demons.

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One of the gods had to take on a human form in order to be able to defeat Ravana.

These lines occur in the first day of the description of The Banishment. The description of Rama’s princely virtues and the rejoicings at his proposed coronation, with which the Book begins, contrast with much dramatic force and effect with the dark intrigues which follow, and which end in his cruel in his cruel banishment for fourteen years.

Calmly Rama heard the mandate, grief nor anger touched his heart,

Calmly from his father’s empire and his home prepared tc part.

Expl: These are the concluding lines of Ramayana book twe part - VII. In these lines the scenes of banishment have been focusec Ram decides to live the court and go to the forest. He would like t. fulfill the promise of his father. He decided to handover the kingdom to Bharat. He did not w ant to make anyone unhappy. He wanted serve and complete the royal promise. He did not want to hea-queen Kaikeyi. He said: Over fair Kosala's empire let my prince Bharat reign. He accepted his banishment. So Ram w-ent to ex: happily, knowing that to obey and serve his father wras the highe duty of a son.

This incident also exemplifies Rama's unique and heroic charact Rama would be justified in violently overthrowing Bharataor plot his death; after all, Rama is the rightful ruler of Ayodhya, and he wc just be restoring order by doing this. (In the other great Indian er the Mahabharata, this is exactly what happens, and the tragedy revenge is a major element of Greek drama.) It could be that Kaik; has trapped herself in a self-fulfilling prophecy, guaranteeing the ( of herself and her son by betraying Rama in this cruel way. But t when the reader truly sees Rama’s greatness. He accepts this urr

The Ramayana

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turn of events with equanimity, calming his brother Lakshmana and his mother Kausalya when they urge him to resist this decision. Even though his parents grieve terribly, he does not stray from his duty. Though it may seem cold and cruel to the modem reader, Rama is actually being an exemplar of virtue because he does not let his personal sympathies get in the way of his duty, his dharma.

These are the thought provoking lines describing decision of Ram to live the court in order to fulfill the promise of his father.

Rama Shall he Heir and Regent, Rama shall be crowned to-day,

Rapid flew the gladdening message with the morning's gladsome ray.

Expl: These lines have taken from Ramayana Book Two part-ill. In these lines the coronation of Ram has been highlighted. The whole city was decorated and everyone was happy to see Ram as a king. It is decided to crown Ram and make him a successful Heir.

As Dasharatha was growing older, he summoned his ministers seeking their opinion about crowning Rama as prince of Ayodhya. They unanimously welcomed the suggestion. Then Dasharatha announced the decisi on and gave orders for the coronation of Rama. During this time. Bharata and his favorite brother, Shatrughna, had gone to see their maternal grandfather and were absent from Ayodhya.

Kaikeyi, Bharata’s mother, was in the palace rejoicing with the other queens, sharing the happy news of Rama’s coronation. She loved Rama as her own son: but her wicked maid, Manthara, was unhappy. Manthara wanted Bharata to be the king so she devised a heinous plan to thwart Ramas coronation. As soon as the plan w7as set firmly in her mind, she rushed to Kaikeyi to tell her about the decision.

The lines are simple but meaningful. The beautiful scene of Ayodhaya at the time of coronation has been explored very graphically.

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daughter Sita. Sita was an incarnation of Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. But none of the suitors was able to lift Lord Shiva’s bow, except Ram. Ram lifted the bow with his one hand and bended it so hard that it even broke.

Therefore, Ram decided to marry Sita, and his brothers got happily married to Sita’s sisters. After returning and living happily in Ayodhya the old King Dashrath decided that it was time to give his kingdom to his beloved son Ram. There Kaikeyi, the third and youngest wife of the King, claimed the throne for her son Bharat. A long time before the young Queen had saved the King’s life and he had promised to fulfill her two wishes. Manthara, the crooked and evil-minded maid-servant of Kaikeyi influenced the queen to claim her wishes now in favor of her son and to request Dashrath to banish Ram from the kingdom for fourteen years, and to install Bharat on the throne instead. The King was shocked, his heart was broken, but he knew that truth is the highest Dharm, and that he had to fulfill his promise to his wife. So Ram went to exile happily, knowing that to obey and serve his father was the highest duty of a son.

Rama then breaks the news to Sita, who demands to accompany him into the forest. He tells her she should remain here, but she insists that her rightful place is with her husband, and Rama finally permits her to come. Lakshmana also says he will come with Rama; Rama tells him he must look after the women in his life, but Lakshmana says that his wife Urmila and his mothers will look after each other. Lakshmana says he must hunt for Rama in the wi ldemess and take care of him, and Rama allows Lakshmana to accompany ~TTL

To the terrible grief of the court, the king, and all the people of .. odhya, the three head into exile. The people of Ayodhya follow Rama’s coach out of the city, and the young prince and his ;? mpanions must flee under the cover of night lest the people force Rama to return to the city. Back in Ayodhya, Dasaratha loses all his

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strength and collapses in his wife Kausalya’s arms. The two become closer than they have been in years, mourning the loss of Rama.

Dashrath died from the agony of separation from his beloved son Ram when Ram left to the forest. Bharat rushed the forest to meet his brother Ram and to request him to come back to Ayodhya. When Ram refused to return, in honor of the promise to his father, Bharat took Ram’s ‘‘khadau” (wooden sandals) and placed them symbolically on Ayodhya’s throne. Until his brother returned from the exile Bharat served the kingdom as a true and honest caretaker ofRam.

The beauty and charm of Ram attracted and enchanted Surpnakha, the sister of Ravana, while she was crossing the place where Ram was living. She transformed herself into a beautiful lady and went to Ram and asked him to marry her. When Ram refused and told her he is already married to Sita, she became angiy. Coming back’to her original form she ran towards Sita to kill her. When Lakshman saw that he cut her nose and one ear. Surpnakha then send her brother Khardushan with fourteen thousand rakshasas to avenge her. But all were killed by Ram.

Surpnakha now sought vengeance through her older brother Ravana, but only got his interest by pointing out that the beautiful Sita would be a fitting wife for him. Ravana lured Ram and Lakshman away from Sita by sending an enchanted deer of extreme beauty and then took Sita to his kingdom of Lanka.

On the way, Jatayu, a vulture bird and old friend of Ram's father Dashrath, fought Ravan but was fatally wounded. He lived only long enough to tell Ram what had happened upon his return.

In Lanka. Ravana tried to threathen Sita into marrying him, but was rejected again and again. Meanwhile, Ram made an alliance with the monkey King Sugreeva, who had been exiled from his kingdom by his brother Bali. Ram helped Sugreeva to regain his

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kingdom and in return Sugreeva raised an army of monkeys and bears, led by Hanuman. When they reached the sea, Hanuman flew across. On the way he had many adventures, which can be found on the Hanuman page.

Lanka, Hanuman promised Sita that help would come soon. When he was then captured by the rakshasas, Ravana ordered them to set fire to Hanuman’s tail, wrapping it with oily rags. But Hanuman increased the length of his tail so much that there seemed no end to it. He escaped and used his burning tail to set fire to all of Lanka.

Meanwhile, Ram’s army had build a huge bridge between Lanka and the mainland. They crossed the ocean and attacked Ravana’s army.

During the battle, Lakshmana was heavily wounded, but he was cured by a magic herb which Hanuman flew all the way to the Himalayas to obtain. Not finding the herb at first, Hanuman brought the entire mountain just to be sure.

Finally, all rakshasa generals were killed and the battle become _ single combat between Ravana and Ram. Finally, Ram killed Ravana with a special weapon given to him by saint Agastya.

This was a moment of great rejoicing. Ram and Sita were finally . - ’-.ned King and Queen of Ayodhya, though people doubted that ' ta had preserved her virtue while being Ravana’s captive, which is an:ther story in itself.

Obviously, the arrival of Ram on the Earth proved fruitful. His ■. : nality was praiseworthy and inspiring. He was a path maker.

Q. Critically analysis Rantayana Book II

Ans: Ramayana is a holy book written by Valmiki. Universally *- . ; ~ ed and accepted as the first, among Sanskrit poets, Valmiki » _ ' - e first to discover a metrical expression of epic dimension

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and vision to match the emotional ecstasy of the story of Rama. He has been called an authentic writer of Ramayana.

The book has special and sacred place not only in India but also in the sub continent of India. Two of the Ramayana emphasizes the importance of keeping one's world. Rama accepts the order to relinquish the throne to Bharata and go into exile, because refusing to do so would mean breaking his father's word. This would be a terrible thing, because it is the integrity of a king’s word is what makes him fit to rule.

The night before the coronation, Dasharatha came to Kakeyi to share his happiness at seeing Rama the crown prince of Kosala. But Kakeyi was missing from her apartment. She was in her “anger room”. When Dasharatha came to her anger room to inquire, he found his beloved queen lying on the floor with her hair loose and her ornaments cast away.

Dasharatha gently took Kakeyi’s head on his lap and asked in a caressing voice, “What is wrong?”

But Kakeyi angrily shook herself free and firmly said; “You have promised me two boons. Now please grant me these two boons. Let Bharata be crowned as king and not Rama. Rama should be banished from the kingdom for fourteen years.”

Dasharatha could hardly believe his ears. Unable to bear what he had heard, he fell down unconscious. When he returned to his senses, he cried out in helpless anger, “What has come over you? What harm has Rama done to you? Please ask for anything else but these.”

Kakeyi stood firm and refused to yield. Dasharatha fainted and lay on the floor the rest of the night. The next morning, Sumantra. the minister, came to inform Dasharatha that all the preparations for the coronation were ready. But Dasharatha was not in a position to

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f Rama. He

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-peak to anyone. Kakeyi asked Sumantra to call Rama immediately. When Rama arrived, Dasharatha was sobbing uncontrollably and could only utter “Rama! Rama!”

Rama was alarmed and looked at Kakeyi with surprise, “Did I do anything wrong, mother? I have never seen my father like this before.”

“He has something unpleasant to tell you, Rama,” replied Kakeyi. "Long ago your father had offered me two boons. Now I demand it.” Then Kakeyi told Rama about the boons.

“Is that all mother?” asked Rama with a smile. “Please take it that your boons are granted. Call for Bharata. I shall start for the forest today.”

Rama did his pranams to his revered father, Dasharatha, and to his stepmother, Kakeyi, and then left the room. Dasharatha was in shock. He painfully asked Iris attendants to move him to Kaushalya’s apartment. He was waiting for death to ease his pain.

The news of Rama’s exile spread like a fire. Lakshmana was furious with his father’s decision. Rama simply replied, “Is it worthwhile to sacrifice your principle for the sake of this small kingdom?”

Tears sprang from Lakshmana’s eyes and he said in a low voice,

»

If you must go to the forest, take me along with you.” Rama agreed.

Then Rama proceeded to Sita and asked her to stay behind. Look after my mother, Kausalya, in my absence.”

Sita begged, “Have pity on me. A wife’s position is always beside 7er husband. Don’t leave me behind. I'll die without you." At last - ana permitted Sita to follow him.

This incident also exemplifies and explores Rama's unique a; ’ -r ?ic personality. Rama would be justified in violently overthrowing

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Bharata or plotting his death; after all, Rama is the rightful ruler of Ayodhya. and he would just be restoring order by doing this, (hi the other great Indian epic, the Mahabharata, this is exactly what happens, and the tragedy of revenge is a major element of Greek drama.) It could be that Kaikeyi has trapped herself in a self-fulfilling prophecy, guaranteeing the death of herself and her son by betraying Rama in this cruel way. But this is when the reader truly sees Rama's greatness. He accepts this unfair turn of events with equanimity, calming Iris brother Lakshmana and his mother Kausalya when they urge him to resist this decision. Even though his parents grieve terribly, he does not stray from his duty. Though it may seem cold and cruel to the modem reader, Rama is actually being an exemplar of virtue because he does not let his personal sympathies get in the way of his duty, his dharma.

It should also be noted that Rama’s exile in the wilderness is not an idyllic pastoral situation. The jungle is lull of dangerous animals and biting insects, and Rama is not allowed to take any supplies with him, save a single garment of tree bark and his weapons. Rama is also not allowed to be near civilization, but instead must eke out an existence in the wild. This is a terrible situation to cope with for fourteen years, and Rama has a number of chances to return to Ayodhya and take on the much more comfortable duties of kingship. However, he refuses all these opportunities, explaining that it is his duty and his fate to serve out his time in the wilderness.

Kaushalya received Bharata with love and affection. Addressing Bharata she said, “Bharata, the kingdom is waiting for you. No one will oppose you for ascending the throne. Now that your father is gone, I would also like to go to the forest and live with Rama.”

Bharata could not contain himself any further. He burst into tears and promised Kaushalya to bring Rama back to Ayodhya as quickly as possible. He understood the throne rightfully belonged to Rama. After completing the funeral rites for Dasharatha, Bharata started

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The next day, Bharata asked Rama -_e he kingdom. But Rama firmly replied, “I ctn,

- father. You rule the kingdom and I shall carry Ou1

come back home only after fourteen years.”

’••■hen Bharata realized Ramas firmness in fulfilling his promis : e ->egged Rama to give him his sandals. Bharata told Rama the

ials will represent Rama and he would carry out the duties of ?: • rnadom only as Ramas representative. Rama gracefully agreed. - - arata carried the sandals to Ayodhya with great reverence. After r: -: ring the capital, he placed the sandals on the throne and ruled : kingdom in Ramas name. He left the palace and lived like a

. as Rama did, counting the days of Ramas return.

hen Bharata left, Rama went to visit Sage Agastha. Agastha

: - Rama to move to Panchavati on the bank of Godavari River. * . a beautiful place. Rama planned to stay at Panchavati for me. So, Lakshamana quickly put up an elegant hut and they

ec.ed down.

-e relationship between husband and wife has been focused * 'c sents Sita’s devotion to her husband, which is one of the

* she is so revered in India. Despite the fact that she is a : princess who is unused to the difficulties of living in the

- . she refuses to abandon her husband in his time of

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misfortune. Just as young men are told to be like Rama, young women are told to be like Sita. Sita stands as a counterpoint to the villainom Kaikeyi, who is willing to sacrifice her husband’s happiness in order to get what she wants, cannily capitalizing on his affection and hi> debts to her.

This section also focuses the possibility that it is the hand of fate is at work in these cruel events. At first, it seems like Dasaratha is suffering needlessly by sending away Rama,"but then it becorm clear that this painful act is fulfilling an old curse that was laid upci him. In this way, Dasaratha is working out his karma, the negativi that has'accumulated around him. Additionally, Rama continual suggests that his exile is fated to be and that he should not strugg against it because good may still come of it.

Q. Discuss Ramayana as an Epic.

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Ans: Ramayana, obviously, is a sacred book. It is a great ep: Ramayana was originally written by a sage Valmiki in the Sansk language and later on it was translated into other languages in differs versions. The main story of the Ramayana is about Lord Rama_ short the Ramayana is abov Rama who was bom in a royal fam and was supposed to be the king, but because of his step- moth he was forced to exile from his kingdom for fourteen years. Duri this period his consort Sita was kidnapped by a demon called Ra\ who was the king of Lanka. Rama with the help of his broth Lakshman, and an army of monkeys under the leadership Hanuman, rescued Sita.

Ramayana is not merely an effort to rescuer Sita but a marw story of love and affection. The family role and the relationship been focused. The Ramayana does not begin with the life off but actually with the people on earth who suffer from the d< named Ravan. Ravan is a cruel king who terrorizes the peoj earth, especially the religious people and prevents them

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>men 1OUS order id his

affate ktha is lomes [upon ^.tivity rually ■igg'e

re-forming religious rituals. But Ravan is also a great devotee of the

-           ree Gods who rule the universe, Brahma; the creator, Vishnu; the

-           reserver and Shiva; the destroyer and therefore has their blessings 2nd assurance that they as Gods will not hurt him. But the people of •/ e earth, who suffer from Ravan, go up to heaven to visit the Gods

ask for their help. The Gods decide that Lord Vishnu will incarnate as a human being on earth and destroy Ravan. They find out that king f Kosala named Dasrath who has three wives is childless and longing f: r heir. So Lord Vishnu incarnates as his older son.

The king’s first wife Kausalya gives birth to Rama. His second .fe gives birth to Lakshman and Shatrugan and his third wife •Kykeyi gives birth to Bharat. The four brothers are sent for ef -cation in an ashram. They four brothers were very close to each :her even though they were stepbrothers. They return to their - adornafter completing education.

Rama gets married to Sita. Sita is an adopted daughter of another

_.In order to win her hand, the contestant had to bend a bow, - . - h belonged to Lord Shiva. Many could not even lift this bow. > hen Rama arrived he did not only bend this bow but also broke it md so got Sita’s hand.

King Dasrath intended to inherit his kingdom to his eldest son. ; _~a. But Bharat’s nanny gets jealous and goes to Bharat’s mother . ; oegins to incite her about what might happen of her if Rama -.. ■ —es the king. Incited, Bharat’s mother goes to the king and .; ~ —‘ds from him the two boons he had promised her sometime veloii ;7 in life. She demands to send Rama to exile in the forest for Lp ha- •-    - ten years and make her son Bharat the heir of the kingdom.

IRansa _ 3. :rath who is in great dilemma and pain, eventually bows to

demands.

3plet

fro

J -w is an obedient son. He obeys the decision of his father : any hesitation. The other brothers including Bharat become

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angry and furious. Lakshman decides to join his brother in exile and so giving an example of brotherly loyalty. Bharat inherits the throne but after his father’s death goes to Rama and tries to convince him to return. Bharat tell Rama that because he is the eldest son of the king he is the rightful heir of the throne but Rama refuses and claims that father boons should be respected. Bharat agrees to remain 1 ruler of the,kingdom until Rama’s return from exile and as a symt to prove that the throne belongs to Rama he takes Rama’s slippei and puts them on the throne.

The forest in which Rama arrived with his wife Sita and his brotl was full of demons. A female demon, Surpanakha fall in love wii Rama and she tries to seduce him. Rama being a loyal husba refuses to her flirts, so she tries to kill Sita. At this point Laksf takes his sword and cuts the demon’s nose. She goes to her brot Ravan, and tells him of the disgrace that happened to her. Ra--decides to avenge this humiliation by kidnapping Rama’s wife Si He even notices that she is very beautiful and desires her.

Ravan plans ways to far away Rama and Lakshman from: so that he can kidnap her. One day Sita sees a very beautiful di and desires it. She urges Rama to get it so Rama goes deep i forest to get it. As time passes and Rama does not return, Sita si to get worried. After some time she hears a cry which she thir Rama’s cry so she begs Lakshman to find Rama. Lakshman ai of the fact that something bad might happen to Sita, refuses to f Sita alone. But Sita compels Lakshman to find Rama. Laksf agrees but draws a line in front of their hut and begs his sistei law not to pass this line because it might be dangerous and sei to search Rama.

When it is quiet dark a sage comes to the hut begging for1 Sita hears the begging of the sage and brings some food for thi and so passes the line Lakshman had marked. When she getsi to the sage she finds out that the sage is actually Ravan in dis

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: _ . an kidnaps Sita and takes her to his kingdom Lanka. And so ; basic plot of the Gods to have Rama to fight with Ravan takes

: _xe. On his way to Lanka, Sita struggles with him a lot, A vulture, n no resides near Rama’s hut, hears her cries and fights with Ravan.

-           '■ an injures that vulture seriously. When Rama and Lakshman mum, the vulture who is dying tells them that Ravan kidnapped

-           m. Rama and Lakshman decide to find out Sita.

Rama and Lakshman are in need of an army to find and fight ? i an and they receive this help from the monkeys. The king of

-           nkeys who was exiled by his brother gets Rama’s help to ftght i slain his brother. After regaining his throne the monkey king s .ens one of his commanders, Hanuman to serve Rama in his

37        - : enment to find Sita. After some time the monkeys come across

; :her vulture who tells them that Ravan has kidnapped Sita and

-or        . .         .

en her to his island kingdom, Lanka, iita.

Hanuman who is capable of flying gets to Lanka after fighting

;•. me dangers in the way. He finds Sita in the garden guarded bv : emale demons, in a depressed mood. He proves to her that he is

-           ma's messenger and offers to carry her back. But to vindicate ’ ker r.onour she prefers that Rama himself should rescue her.

-man promises that Rama will come and rescue her. Hamuman

* - i like to perform his duties. He wanted to be loyal to Ram.

j leal     Hanuman decides to check the capability of Ravan's security'

<shna  He begins to destroy the garden, provoking the security guard

ster-1 - - -Orting them. Eventually he is captured and brought to Ravan. 1 setsa ~  an tells Ravan that he is Rama’s messenger and demands

- mm to free Sita or else he will die. Ravan gets furious and at mended to kill Hanuman, but because Hanuman is a messenger des only to punish him by burning his tail. Hanuman flies Rama not before setting fire to Ravan's city with his burning

I extinguishes his tail in the sea.

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After Hanuman’s return, Rama plans his way to reach Ravan's island. Rama and his advisers plan a land bridge to Lanka. The monkeys bring tree and rocks from the forests and build the land bridge to Lanka. After arriving in Lanka they send a peaceful messenger to Ravan, but Ravan refuses. So a war begins in which both sides lose many forces. Even Rama and Lakshman get hurt The monkeys also began to get weak because Ravan’s forces use biological weapons, which weaken their senses. So a medical expen in Rama’s forces claims that to neutralize this special herb is requirec which exists in a far away mountain, named Mahodaya.

Hanuman flies to that mountain and finds out that the mountain is full of different herbs, so he brings the whole mountain to Lanka S lowly the forces get back to their senses.

Eventually after many battles Ravan faces Rama and after tv ;• continuos days of battles Rama kills Ravan and visits Sita. But f Ramayana does not end here. The fact that Sita lived in anoth man’s palace causes some rumors about her chastity. She i§ oblige to take a fire test in which she sits in a fire but comes out unharme and therefore is purified from charges.

In the original version of the Ramayana, after Rama and Sia return to Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala the rumors about Sita adultery in Ravan’s captivity continue and therefore the peopj disrespect her. So Rama, who is now the king, decides to barj Sita from his kingdom. In the forests she meets a sage named ValrrA who later on wrote the Ramayana. In Valmiki’s ashram Sita giw birth to two twins of Rama, Lav and Kush. These two children lea from Valmiki to sing the Ramayana as a poem and they | everywhere and start telling everyone the Ramayana, mear Rama’s story. They even arrive into Rama’s court and tell him 1 story and so Rama recognizes his sons. He brings back his wife a who decides to prove her loyalty to Rama by asking Mother El

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achRavan’s Lanka. The uild the land ’ a peaceful ns in which an get hurt.

; forces use iical expert is required

lountamis to Lanka.

iter two .But the another , obliged irmed ‘

to swallow her if she was loyal to Rama and so Mother Earth to testify her loyalty, opens up and swallows her and Sita disappears into earth. Later on Rama he jumped in the river to end his life, followed by many.

Without any shadow of doubts, The Ramayana is a marvelous piece of work. It has a brilliant story to tell. The story is full of moral lesson and teaching. It is not merely a long comprehensive story but also a holy book.

Q: Comment on the plot and Structure of Ramayana

Ans : The great Indian epic Ramayana explores the life and desire of Rama to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. The story stars with Dasaratha, the aged king of Ayodhya, wanting divine help to love an issue. Dasaratha became able to have four sons by his three wives. Among them is Rama, the oldest and most beloved by Dasaratha and the people of Ayodhya. When Rama is a •• oung man, he and his stalwart brother Lakshmana accompany a holy man, Viswamithra, as protectors, assisting him in completing a ritual that rakshasas (demons) try to disrupt. Having accomplished .his task, the three go to Mithila, where Rama meets Sita. They return to Ayodhya and are married.

Dasaratha desires to handover the kingdom to Rama and take rest from the work of kingdom. His third wife, Kaikeyi, fearing her n Bharatha will be dispossessed, holds Dasaratha to a promise of tv. o gifts. She requests that Dasaratha name Bharatha king and exile ? ama for 14 years. Everyone laments this turn of events, but Rama encourages all involved to accept them, since his father had made ; s promise. After telling Bharatha to accept the situation, Rama sneers exile with Sita and Lakshmana, who refuse to stay behind. 3 naratha agrees to serve as regent in place of Rama until Rama

returns.

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While Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are living in the forest, Soorpanaka, the sister of Ravana, the king of the rakshasas, sees Rama and falls in love. When her attempts to wop him fail, she flees to Ravana’s kingdom of Lanka and tells her brother of Sita’s beauty. Inflamed with passion for her, he goes to Rama’s forest and kidnaps her. Rama and Laksmana begin a quest to find her.

Along the way, they help the exiled rightful king of the monkeys to regain his throne. For doing so, the monkey king agrees to help Rama find Sita. After long searching by Hanuman, the monkey general, they locate Sita on Lanka and attack. A great war follows, in which Ravana is slain and Sita saved, though her fidelity is questioned. She undergoes a test that vindicates her reputation before returning triumphantly to Ayodhya with Rama and Lakshmana.

Plot Construction

The epic Ramayana begins with Prologue. In this section there are - The country of Ayodhya, the sage Vasistha’s recollected vision of Vishnu’s plans to intervene against the rakshasas, and Dasaratha’s successful efforts to have a son

The Prologue is followed by-One: There are strong Viswamithra’s mentoring of Rama, Rama and Lakshmana’s defense of the ceremony, and Viswamithra’s stories of Thataka, Mahabali, Ganga, and Ahalya.

Prologue Two describes the story of Rama and Sita’s first sightings, Rama’s passing the marriage test of strinking Shiva’s bow, and the wedding held in Ayodhya

Prologue Three shows Dasaratha’s plans to cede power to Rama, Kaikeyi’s scheme to gain power for Bharatha, and Rama’s acceptance of his ex ile

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Prologue fourth presents Rama, Sita, and Laksmana’s encounters

Jatayu, the great eagle, and Soorpanaka’s attempts to win over ?uma and her punishment at the hands of Lakshmana

Prologue Fifth tells Ravana’s rule of Lanka, his response to S orpanaka’s news of Sita, and the plot of the golden deer by which he kidnaps her

Prologue Sixth narrates Rama and Lakshmana’s meeting with Hanuman and the rightful monkey king, Sugreeva and their fight against Vali to regain the crown for Sugreeva

Prologue Seventh shows Sugreeva’s delays in helping Rama and their initial searches for Sita, including Hanuman’s trip to the subterranean city

Prologue Eight tells Hanuman’s journey to Lanka, where he meets Sita before being captured by the rakshasas, after which he bums the city of Lanka

Prologue Ninth focuses The council deliberations of Ravana and his rakshasas, including Vibishana’s (Ravana’s youngest brother) cautions against rash action

Prologue Tenth narrates the story Rama’s offering Vibishana the crown of Lanka and the building of the bridge across the strait

Prologue Eleventh focuses The beginning of the war, the waking of the giant asura Kumbakama, and Indrajit’s (Ravana’s son) scheme to demoralize the monkeys by killing an effigy of Sita

Prologue Twelfths narrates The battle between Rama and Ravana, focusing on the magical attacks and defenses involved and ending with description of Ravana’s transformed body after being slain.

Prologue thirteenth shows The trial of Sita’s fidelity

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Prologue Fourth concludes that Hanuman’s advance announcement in Ayodhya of Rama’s return and the coronation of Rama

Towards the end there is the traditional way a poet would present the end of the tale in an oral setting.

Structure

The version offered by Narayan, a retelling of Kamban’s/ta/naratara/w, differs structurally from the version by Valmiki. Valmiki’s epic contains seven books, divided into a total of 500 cantos:

Bala Kanda-Book of the childhood (birth, training, and marriage) of the princes)

Ayodhya Kanda-Book of Ayodhya (life in Ayodhya as a prince after marriage to Sita)

Aranya Kanda-Book of the Forest (life in exile in the forest)

Kishkindha Kanda-Book of Kishkindha (life in the kingdom of Monkeys: the search for the captured Sita

Sundara Kanda-Book of Auspiciousness or Beauty (Hanuman’s journey to Lanka and his meeting with Sita)

Yuddha Kanda-Book of the War (battle between Rama’s and Ravana’s armies)

Uttara Kanda-Book of the Afterward (Epilogue: Rama’s return and life in Ayodhya; Sita’s second exile)

Narayan bases his retelling of the story on the 12th century version of the Tamil poet Kamban. That means there are some significant differences, even if the main plot is basically the same. For example, Narayan uses the prose form of the novel, whereas Kamban’s text was poetry; Narayan also uses chapters to break up

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j action of the story, whereas Kamban’s version is divided into sections based on periods of Rama’s life. So, Narayan has 14 chapters while Kamban’s text contains six books, divided into a • . tai of 123 sections, called Padalam:

Bala Kandam—-Childhood

Ayodhya Kandam—Ayodhya

Aranya Kandam—Forest

Kishkinta Kandam—Kishkinda

Sundara Kandam—Beautiful (the characters’ struggles)

Yutha Kandam—War

Note that the final of Valmiki’s seven books is absent from Narayan’s retelling of Kamban’s version. Speculation persists that c.c first and last of Valimiki’s books were added by a poet after Valmiki. Scholars base this idea on style and some contradictions retween thOse two and the others. The first and last books contain.

hat some scholars believe to be interpolations (later additions to _. ancient text), including Rama’s miraculous birth, his divine nature,

2jd the legends of Ravana.

Obviously, the great epic is brilliant in plot construction and ~a cture. It is a marvelous work of art also. It elaborates the art of description very effectively.

Q : Write the Character of Surpanakha.

Ans: Ramayana is a brilliant Indian epic. It has many different . aracters. The character of Surpanakha is excellent. People usually — about men like Rama, Hanuman, Dasaratha. Ravana and many afcers. but women also played a very important role in Ramayana. Ear e . ample, there is not much of a story in Ramayana without Sita. S - _5 an ideal wife, she loved Rama very much and always trusted 5L . The main story of Ramayana is also not possible without

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Kaikeyi and Manthara. Manthara convinced Kaikeyi to convince Dasaratha to send Rama away to the forest for fourteen years. She wanted Bharatha to be the king of Ayodhya. Sabari was one other woman who was a true devotee of Rama. She waited for years for Rama to come so she gets a chance to serve Rama. There was also another woman who played a very important role in Ramayana. Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, was responsible for convincing Ravana to kidnap Sita.

Dushtabuddhi got married to Surpanakha. Initially, Dushtabuddhi and Surpanakha were two of Ravana’s favorites in his court. After some years, Dushtabuddhi started making some secret plans to get more powerful. This made Ravana very angry and he got Dushtabuddhi killed. Surpanakha was very mad at Ravana for killing her husband. After her husband’s death, Surpanakha spent half of her time with her family in Lanka and the rcji of the time with Dushtabuddhi’s family and relatives in the forests of south India. In the forests, Surpanakha saw Rama Lakshmana and Sita. She wanted to marry Rama but Rama said that he is already married and does not want another wife. Then Surpanakha wanted to marry Lakshmana. But Lakshmana said that he does not want to marry her. And then, she got very angiy at Rama and Lakshmana because she thought Rama and Lakshmana were making fun of her and she attacked Sita. Lakshmana then cut off her nose and ears and sent her back to Lanka. Surpanakha went to her brother Khara who sent seven warriors to fight Rama. All of the rakshasa warriors were killed easily by Rama and Lakshmana. Then Khara and 14,000 warriors went to kill Rama and Lakshmana. Rama killed everybody except a warrior named Akampana. Surpanakha then went to Ravana and told him that she saw a lady who was very beautiful and very good. She also told him that her name was Sita. She also told Ravana that he should marry her. Ravana listened to Surpanakha and that is how tfte battle of Ramayana started.

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If there is no Surpanakha in the story, Rama would be living in the forest happily for fourteen years and Ravana will be living happily with no Dushtabuddhi. If there was no Kaikeyi and Manthara, then Rama would be the king of Ayodhya and living happily and Ravana will get Dusthabuddhi killed and Surpanakha may find a different person to kill Ravana. So, Surpanakha is more important than even Kaikeyi and Manthara in Ramayana.

Surpanakha is seen as a mere succubus by everyone. No one knows the real story of Surpanakha. She was terrifying and ugly. There are not many mentions of her in Ramayana. She was the younger child of Sage Visrava and his second wife Kaikesy and the sister of demon King Ravana. Some Hindu texts say that she was • ery beautiful as his mother. Parents gave her the name Meenakshi tone who has the beautiful eye's of fish). This shows she was pretty. According to many Hindu scholars, she is the most misunderstood : haracter in Ramayana. We can surely say without any hesitation Aat if Surpanakha hadn't come on the scene, the story of Ramayana would have been another. She seeded the main incident (battle -etween Rama and Ravana).

Surpanakha was the youngest child of Visrava and Kaikesi. She

-           w bom as a succubus because her mother was one. She was very -eautiful according to some texts. While Valmiki described her as a

-           irk and ugly women. In Sanskrit, the word Surpanakha means - c who has long and sharp nails.

Surpankha was married to an Asura, Dushtabudhi (some texts ir his name was Vidyujjihva). He was a greedy person. He always to gain more and more. But he was killed by Ravana, his brother-r - •. Thus she became a widow. Her brother was the cause of

bcr sorrow.

' me years later, she happened to see Rama in Panchavadi. ■barii was extremely beautiful. So she wanted to make him her

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husband. According to Valmiki, she had transformed herself into a beautiful woman and thereby losing her usual terrifying shape. She approached Rama and proposed him. But Rama followed Eka-Patni- Vritha (having one wife only). So he apologized Surpankha and said that his brother Lakshman was living without a wife now. He suggested her to approach Lakshmana.

Lakshmana also followed Eka- Patini- Vritha and sent her back to the Rama. They decided to play a prank on her. At last. Surpanakha realized they were making her a laughing stock. She couldn’t tolerate it. Hence, she tried to attack Sita for she was the reason why Rama didn’t become her husband. 1 hat was her bad luck. Lakshmana, who saw her sister- in- law as the mother, became angry. He chopped her nose. Embarrassed Surpanakha got wounded also.

, She first went to one of her brother, Khara and told what happened. He became annoyed and rushed to Panchavadi. There were about fourteen- thousand Rakshasa with him. But all of them were sent to hell (or heaven) by Rama and Lakshmana. One of those fourteen- thousand and one Rakshasa didn’t die and fled to Lanka, where the palace of Ravana was located.

There wasn’t anyone to help her except Ravana, her elder brother. She sought help from him and described the beauty of Sita. Women were the weakness of Ravana. So he became obsessed with the beauty of Sita. He wanted her to be with him. Then he kidnaped Sita and that’s how the epic battle was started.

Here Valmiki put a full stop to the story of Surpanakha. Bui some other writers of Ramayana said about her after her nose- cuttinj incident.

This is unknown to many of us. Everyone knows he planted th seed of the Rama- Ravana battle. Then where did she disappear

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d herself into a ing shape. She followed Eka-zed Surpankha lutawifenow.

sent her back her. At last,

: stock. She she was the . as her bad r. became lakha got

ild what i. There if them tne of led to

Some authors of alternative Ramayana states that she lived in Lanka with Vibheeshana, the new King after Ravana, even after the war. After some years, she and her half- sister. Kumbini were found dead in a sea.

Actually, this is a topic of controversy. Because the first author of Ramayana wrote her as the ugliest ever in the world. Hope you read what the Sage had written about her. He said that Surpanakha was so terrifying and had a roaring voice.

But Kamban, a Tamil poet wrote her as a beautiful woman. He mildly described Surpanakha. We can’t leave his work because the childhood name of Surpanakha was Meenakshi (woman with beautiful eyes of fish).

There are many interpretations and re- writings of Adikavya Tamayana. We can see some lesser known facts about Surpanakha n those works. Many of this books suggest that Surpanakha is the most misunderstood character in Ramayana.

She didn’t have an intention to hurt Sita. Yes, some poets and .."tics said that she didn’t want Rama or Lakshmana as her husband. Then why did she propose Rama and Lakshmana? There is a sensible wswer for this. Ravana killed her husband Dushtabudhi. He wouldn't ' eve killed him whatever be his nature was. Surpanakha waited for apt occasion to end the monarch, Ravana. He was very powerful ; je to the boon given by Brahma. Hence, she couldn’t have touched ; .m with an intention to kill. She knew it well and waited for years : : a situation. When she heard about Rama who killed her Grand I 1 'her (Thataka) and Uncle (Subahu). it was known to her that no -. could defeat Rama. Hence, Surpanakha brilliantly made a reason begin a fight between Rama and Ravana. Everything went as she

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Was she a real succubus? Did you ever read that Surpanakha was very' cruel and she killed many? I didn’t. Although she was born in a Rakshasa family, she had not much nature of demons. Moreover, she gave value to feelings. Just think she was really fond of Rama. It is natural for a woman to fall in love. So she proposed Rama. But what did he do? He played a trick on her with his brother. They kicked her both ways. Why because she was thirsty. She had a thirst for love.

Do you think what Lakshmana did to Surpanakha was right? I don’t think so. He cut her nose only because she proposed them. It , was pure injustice. How indecent the proposal might be, doing this to a woman was not at all right. Nowadays we argue for women-rights. But our ancient text itself is a proof of molestation against women.

Another possible thing for all that happened was related to beaut) and submissiveness. Surpanakha was a middle- aged woman when she approached Rama and Lakshmana with the proposal. She wasn't that much beautiful as young Sita. Being a member of Rakshasa family, she wasn’t submissive also. This might be a reason that she suffered a lot.

Obviously, the character of Surpanakha constitutes an important J place in Ramayana.

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