Week 3 Reading B: Narayan’s Ramayana

This image is of Rama shooting the Golden deer. Image is from the reading. Image

After Rama’s exile many people were furious, including his brother Lakshmana and Sita. When Sumantra returns with news of Rama's final departure into the forest, Dasharatha dies. Bharata's mother Kaikeyi informs him of Dasharatha's death and Rama's exile. Bahrata becomes furious and Rama insists on fulfilling his exile, so Bharata takes Rama's sandals back with him and places them on the throne. He refuses to enter Ayodhya again until Rama's return. Rama moves deeper into the forest in order to escape the crowds. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana visit sages and on one of these visits, Anasuya, the wife of the sage Atri, gives her jewelry to Sita. While in their exile, they encounter the great bird Jatayu, a friend of Dasharatha. Jatayu offers them his protection. While in the forest, Rama's meets a beautiful woman who says her name is, her real name is Shurpanakha. She tells Rama she is the sister of Ravana, but rejected the demon way of life. She declares her love for Rama and her desire to marry him and decides to get rid of her rival Sita, but as she is stalking Sita, Lakshmana captures her. Although he does not kill her, Lakshmana cuts off her nose, ears, and breasts. Shurpanakha goes to Kara, Ravana's step-brother, who commands the armies of demons in the forest. Kara and his forces attack Rama, but Rama defeats them. Ravana is furious when he sees how Shurpanakha has been mutilated. Ravana then falls madly in love with Sita based on Shurpanakha's description of her. In order to abduct Sita, Ravana enlists the aid of his uncle. Maricha Rama killed Maricha's mother Thataka. Maricha disguises himself as a golden deer which captivates Sita. Sita begs Rama to capture the deer for her. Reluctantly, Rama goes chasing the deer through the forest. When Rama finally shoots the deer, the dying Maricha calls for help using Rama's voice. Sita becomes distraught, thinking that Rama is in trouble. She compels Lakshmana to go after Rama, leaving Sita alone and unguarded.

Bibliography: Narayan’s Ramayana, Laura Gibbs, Story