Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part B

The news of Dasharatha dying were carried by messengers to Bharata who had not yet known of the incident. He weeped and mourned once told the news. He knew now that both his father and brother had passed, and he did not know what to do, until he had the idea to bring his exiled brother from the jungle to receive the throne. He swore that he, himself, would not take the throne, but wanted Rama to.

He more and more began to regret banishing Rama and Lakshmana initially into the jungle. He then held a funeral for Dasharatha. The city cried for many days over the passing of Dasharatha.

Bharata eventually met with Rama. Rama speaks to Jabali, the counsellor of Dasharatha, who essentially tells him there is no afterlife for Dasharatha, nor is there one in general. Bharata also insisted that he banish himself to the jungle for Rama then to reign, and he gave him gold slippers. Bharata then left to Ayodhya. Rama's gold slippers symbolized authority, and he was now royal authority.

Rama and Sita traveled to the jungle and witnessed a rakshasa beast. He roared and spoke to them and worried them. Rama then chose to battle him but could not kill him. He then carried Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders into the forest. Sumitra eventually broke rakshasa's arm and weakened him; he was attacked further but would not die. Rakshasa said he was powered by a godly being and could not be slain. This lead to the demon Viradha to go to heaven. Agastya meets Rama later and gives him a sword.

Rama eventually crossed Shurpanakha, an ugly cursed being, who fell in love with Rama. Although she tells Rama she loves him, he rejects her. She does not fancy this, and she attacks them, and tells her brother Khara of the incident. Khara then aids her and attacks Rama.

After Rama defeats Khara and rakshasa, Shurpanakha went to Lanka to tell the King of Lanka, her brother, what occurred.

The story of Maricha was told and how Rama had gone with Vishvamitra to fight rakshasas. It was revealed that he had killed Thataka. Ravana now needed Marciha to abduct Sita. Maricha takes form as a golden deer and enchants Sita and tells Rama to go get the deer for her. The deer masquerade was also able to take on Rama's voice.

Ravana was able to shapeshift and get close to Sita after Rama and Lakshmana are turning a blind eye. Jatayu, a bird watching over the adventure tries to save Sita, and Sita had dropped jewelry, which leads Rama to where she could have been carried off to. This was all according to Brahma, a god, whose plan was to have a human, Rama, slay Ravana.

Ravana tries to rape Sita, but could not due to protection from Brahma. He needs to seduce her to surpass this, but is unable to. Rama eventually finds where they were, but Sita and Ravana had left, and Jatayu explains the situation to Rama. They go on and meet another rakshasa who gives them valuable information.

They eventually meet Shabari who awaited them, as she had been told by holy men that she would meet him; her destiny was fulfilled and she asks Rama to perform her funeral rites.

Rama and Shabari 

Bibliography:
Title: Rama: Retold from the Ramayana
Author: Anant Pai
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