Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Section B

Title: The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic
Author: Kamban / R. K. Narayan
Year: 1972

- Lakshmana becomes extremely upset when he finds out that Rama will not be crowned. He challenges everyone. Rama tries to calm him saying that what happened is because of fate. Lakshmana says he will change fate himself.

- Lakshmana and Sita accompany Rama to the forest. What about Lakshmana's wife?

- Dasaratha dies hearing that Rama had crossed the river. Everyone feels extreme hatred toward Kaikeyi, even her son. What did she have to gain by doing this?

- The gods command Bharatha to rule the kingdom for 14 years, afraid that Rama might not fulfill the purpose of his reincarnation. Maybe it wasn't a demon that possessed Kaikeyi to act this way, but the gods.

- In the wilderness, it is said that Rama doesn't lose sight of his purpose: to destroy the asuras in the area and defeat Ravana, their chief. How does he find this out and does he know that he is the avatar of Vishnu?

- Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita run into Soorpanaka in the forest, resulting in Lakshmana lopping off her nose, ears, and breasts. Even after explaining who he was and his purpose, she did not relent to be with him, or even with Lakshmana. She claimed to be able to help them destroy the asura class. They rejected and sent her away. This situation could go many different ways. They could accept her, with Rama taking her as another wife, or Lakshmana could take her as a wife since his did not join them in the forest. They could also just bring her along and help rid her of her curse (in this instance, she would have become a rakshasis due to a curse). Or they could accept her in any of the ways mentioned, making them vulnerable to Ravana. Lakshmana could accept her and her offer of ruling over worlds. Many possibilities.

Lakshmana Cuts Off Soorpanaka's Nose

Image credited to Indi Samarajiva

Image Source: Flickr

Geography:

Section A

- Kosala (country)

- Ayodhya (capital of Kosala)

- Anga

- Sidhasrama

- Mithila City

- Sarayu River

- Ganges River

- Himalayas

- Mount Saila

- Amravati (fabulous city was Indra's or Alkapuri of Kubera?)

Section B

- Kekaya (where Aswapathi's palace is - 8 days ride from Ayodhya)

- Chitrakuta

- Nandigram (small village on the outskirts of Ayodhya) 

- Panchvati

- Lanka 

- Dandaka Forest 

- Godavari River

- Mount Kailas

- Meru Mountain