Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part B



Figure 1: Typical Depiction of Ravana Wikimedia

Again, I will be focusing primarily on the plot of the Ramayana. Bharata returns home and is then informed that not only has his father died, but Rama has been banished and he is to be the next ruler. His mother explains how she did this for his sake, but he is furious with her. Shatrughan is also there, and attempts to kill Manthara for her conspiracy, but Bharata stops him, saying that Rama would be angry with their actions. Bharata holds a funeral for his father and then attempts to persuade Rama to return and assume the throne. However, Rama refuses on principle, and insists on living out his punishment. They agree to place Rama's shoes on the throne as a placeholder until Rama completes his exile. Rama and his companions interact with some forest sages. A demon named Viradha abducts Sita, but Rama and his brother kill the creature, and in doing so, purify it and allow it to return to heaven. They then interact with more sages. 

The main plot begins here. A demonness attempts to seduce Rama, but he rebukes her. She then tries to seduce Rama's brother, but is again rejected. She then incites her brothers into an escalating war with Rama and Lakshmana, but Rama is able to defeat all the demons in combat. Finally, they hatch a ploy to lure Rama away from Sita, and then lure Lakshmana away as well. The demon king Ravana then abducts Sita, but he is spotted by a great bird that tries to stop him. Although Ravana wins, he fails to kill the bird, who informs Rama and Lakshmana of the events. Rama and Lakshamana defeat and purify another minor demon. They then meet another old sage. 

I wonder if the minor demon battles and sage interactions were told with more detail and vigor in the past. Their inclusion is quite strange, as they seriously distract from the main story. My personal conjecture is that they were originally stories about single long forgotten heroes who defeated only one demon in a manner that was of significance in the past and were eventually amalgamated into Rama.

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition by Various Authors


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