I'm excited to keep track of things that interest me in reading R.K. Narayan's version of The Ramayana. In the reading of the first 51 pages, the characters that stood out the most to me were Rama, Sita, and Kooni.
Rama, the titular character of the epic, is portrayed as a compassionate, strong, humble, and good-looking, even from a young age. He is the avatar of Vishnu, who became Rama in order to defeat Ravana, a ten-headed demon. In the passage I read, Rama was not aware that he was Vishnu. His characteristics are demonstrated by his interactions with others and their descriptions of him. When faced with the terrible demon Thataka, Rama hesitates, not out of fear but out of honor because he doesn't want to kill a woman (p. 13). However, he is reminded that she is a monster, not a woman, and he proceeds to kill her. He shows his compassion when he comforts saints performing a religious ceremony and tells them to continue their ceremony and not fear (p.16). He also comforts Ahalya when she is turned back into a human, encouraging her to reunite with her husband and let go of the past (p. 22). My favorite part of the reading was Rama and Sita's situation of love at first sight and how they were destined for each other. It was very Disney-esque. Rama, of course, is manly and does not bother to show his infatuation with Sita until he is alone. I liked how Sita was also an avatar of Lakshmi, Vishnu's wife. When he is alone, Rama describes, to himself of course, her beauty and muses amusedly that he has been conquered by a women instead of weapons (p. 26). As they are destined for one another, Rama wins her hand by handling a bow that had belonged to Shiva that no one other man could wield. The courtiers discuss his strength and beauty, and they are overjoyed when he succeeds (. The last important passage of the reading selection was the failed crowning of Rama as king. Throughout the whole ordeal, Rama is respectful of those above him and even grateful for the undeserved punishment of banishment (p. 48-49). Rama is shown as a morally upright and god-like character.
Sita's response to Rama was almost comical. She is the swooning damsel who cannot function until she encounters her man again. After seeing Rama for the first time, she becomes faint and listless. The beauty of the world fades, and she is angry that she wasn't able to watch Rama longer. Her extreme response, while amusing, also shows how deeply dedicated she is to Rama from the very beginning. They are also tied together as the incarnations of deities that are eternal lovers, but they fell in love all over again (p. 24). It was a charming bit of the story I enjoyed. In addition, she is so in love with Rama from one glance that when she discovers a man has won her hand, she claims that she will kill herself if her future husband is not he (p. 30). Sita is portrayed as consumed by love for Rama.
One very interesting character who changed the course of the story was Kooni, who was one of the favorites (servant or friend,, I'm not sure) of Kaikeyi, wife of the king. When Kooni overhears the plans to crown Rama as king, instead of deciding to inform her mistress, she decides to stop the coronation. At first Kaikeyi is very likeable. She is playful towards Kooni and very glad to hear the news of Rama's coronation. In fact, she considers Rama her son (p. 41). However, Kooni slyly insults Kaikeyi's age, her relationship with the king, her prominent status, and her naivety. She pretends to have Kaikeyi's best interests in mind, but instead she uses Kaikeyi's innocence against her. However, the reader has to wonder if Kaikeyi was ever innocent because of her cold, calculating nature later on in the story. Kooni breaks Kaikeyi and then rebuilds her as a heartless woman. Kooni demonstrates the power of the friends we choose; friends truly can have a hold over our emotions, beliefs, and actions. Friends can either improve us or tear us down.
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