Week 2: Reading Diary B, Sita's Kidnapping

Rama is exiled  in order to fulfill his father’s terms, and the people are distraught. His brother Lakshmana is extremely upset, but Rama attempts to keep him calm. Lakshmana and Sita accompany him. 

Rama believes that it is his father’s wish for him to leave, but it is really his step-mother’s wish. He was even told that his father was “deeply grieving that you are leaving him” and that he “may not survive the separation, in his present state…” (p. 54). Rama’s father, Dasharatha, dies when he leaves.

Rama’s brother Bharatha is called home to deal with “state affairs” (p. 56). He comes home to oppressive silence, and learns of his father’s death and his brother’s exile.

Bharatha is extremely confused by the events. He despises his mother and her cold delivery of the news.  

Bharatha goes to Rama and delivers the news of their father. He begs him to come back and be the king. They argue for a long time over who is the King, each saying that it is the other’s. Bharatha rules on Rama’s behalf for fourteen years.

Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana move deeper into the forest to escape those who desired Rama’s return.

“Rama’s whole purpose of incarnation was ultimately to destroy Ravana, the chief of the asuras, abolish fear from the hearts of men and gods, and establish peace, gentleness, and justice in the world.” (p. 63).

Comes upon a damsel Kamavalli (her real name is Shurpanakha), the sister of Ravana, who abhors his sins and evilness. She is beautiful and wants to marry Rama.

She desires to destroy Sita, but instead of doing so, she is captured by Lakshmana. He mutilates her. She returns to Ravana, who is outraged at her mutilation. However, he falls in love with Sita solely based on Kamavalli’s description of her.

Ravana asks his uncle to help kidnap Sita. His uncle is Maricha (the son of Thataka, the wild energy woman). Maricha poses as a golden dear, and Sita loves the sight of it. She asks Rama to kill it. When he shoots it, Maricha began to die. While dying, he called out in Rama’s voice. Lakshmana chases after Rama to help him, leaving Sita unguarded.

Ravana emerges from his hideout in a saintly hermit disguise, and tells his story to Sita. She talks poorly about Ravana (not knowing it was him) and in his anger he comes out of his disguise. He asks her to marry him, and she replied, saying “how dare you speak thus I am not afraid to lose my life, but if you wish to save yours, run and hide before Rama sees you.” (p. 87).

Ravana runs off with her, only to be stopped by Jatayu, the great eagle who had promised to guard Dasaratha’s children. They fought, but Ravana prevailed. Jatayu’s dying breath was telling Rama and Lakshmana what happened.