Reading Post: Narayan's Ramayana Part B

             Queen Kaikeyi told the death of Dasharatha to her son, Bharata. He got very angry at her saying that she caused him to lose his brother and his father. Shatrughna threatened to kill her but she fled. Bharata vowed to not take the throne but instead save it for Rama. While Bharata was grieving, Vasishtha appeared and comforted him. With Vasishtha’s encouragement, Bharata was able to give his father a proper funeral. 

           Bharata and Rama meet in the forest and share the sorrow of their lost father. However, in order to honor their father’s decisions, Rama had to remain in exile for fourteen years. Bharata offered Rama golden shoes but Rama refused to accept the gift. So Bharata ruled and the golden sandals were a symbol of royal authority.

Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita fight monsters and commune with gods in their time of exile. One day, Shurpanakha, Ravana’s sister, came to seduce Rama into leaving Sita. However, his love held strong and he did not succumb to Shurpankaha. He says he already has a wife but his brother, Lakshmana is alone. However, Lakshamana rejected her as well and she attacked Sita. This set off a war between Rama and Khara, Shurphakha’s brother. As the battle raged on, Rama was able to kill Khara and win the battle.

Shurphakha seeks help from Ravana who enlists the help of Maricha. Maricha turns into a gold deer to spy on Rama and Sita. Sita falls in love with the deer and requests Rama to obtain it for her. As soon as Rama kills the deer, the spirit of Maricha cries out and the three heros realize they had just slain Ravana’s brother.

Ravana kidnaps Sita soars away with her. At Ravana’s kingdom, Ravana tries to enchant Sita into becoming his wife. She constantly refused the evil creature and mourned for her Rama.

Rama rejecting Shurpanakha

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Bibliography: Public Domain Ramayana: online reading